The West Side's downturn started after you left. The Vice Lords formed in 1958 in the North Lawndale area. They are there to this day selling dope and killing. There are still numerous vacant lots where buildings once stood that the rioters burned down after King was killed. Such a vibrant neighborhood, it looks like Hiroshima now. Even the Sears complex on Arthington is gone except for the Administration Building and the origional Sears Tower at Arthington and Homan Ave. So sad.
We lived between Cicero & Laramie, right off of Washington from 1950-53. It was a nice neighborhood then. Then we moved right off Pulaski between Armitage and Fullerton. Lived there from 54-64. The last time I saw that neighborhood was in 89 and it was a pit. My old high school looked like a war zone with all the gang tags and graffiti. The city finally razed it and built a new school on the same spot. The last place I lived before I headed for Texas was right off of North Ave. between Austin & Narragansett. Don’t know what it’s like now but I think I’d like to remember it the way it was.
When I think of the places I could go to as a child, on my own, and not have to be scared and then think of what it’s like today, I feel sick.