Pilsen, Chicago

Pilsen is a neighborhood on Chicago's near Southwest Side. In the late 19 century Pilsen was inhabited by Czech immigrants, who named the district after the second largest city in their homeland. Many of the Czechs were associated with the stockyards.

The Czechs were eventually replaced by Germans, who were replaced in turn by Irish and Poles. Starting in the 1950s Pilsen became increasingly Mexican, and today is the largest Mexican neighborhood in Chicago.

18th St is a wonderful walking district, full of Mexican bakeries, restaurants, and groceries. Humboldt Park hosts the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.

L stop at 18th Street, in the northwest corner of Pilsen. Buses run on Cermak, 18th Street and Blue Island.

http://www.mfacmchicago.org/