Hyde Park neighborhood guide
Development
Hyde Park began as a lakeside suburb and was annexed by the City of Chicago in 1889. The University of Chicago was founded in 1890, and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Jackson Park and along the Midway Plaisance. Housing today includes vintage courtyard buildings and walk-ups, high-rise rental and co-op towers near the lake, greystones, rowhouses and some large single-family homes.
Parks & Recreation
Jackson Park runs along the lake at the neighborhood’s southeast edge, and the Museum of Science and Industry sits at its north end. Promontory Point juts into the lake at 55th Street. The Midway Plaisance, a mile-long strip of parkland, connects Jackson Park with Washington Park to the west.
Transit
Metra Electric trains stop at the 51st/53rd Street, 55th-56th-57th Street and 59th Street stations, with frequent trips downtown. No CTA ‘L’ line runs through Hyde Park; CTA buses connect it with the Loop and the Green Line.
Community Area
Hyde Park is Chicago’s official community area 41. Plaisance, at 6104 S. Woodlawn Avenue, is in the Woodlawn community area (42).
