A Chicago neighborhood remembered
Me & My Shadow aims to bring together a mix of personal recollections, research and images to explore and celebrate the 20th-century history of the Chicago neighborhoods in and around where I grew up: North Park, Hollywood Park, Albany Park and Peterson Park. I’ve been generously assisted by many contributors who also grew up in the neighborhood during the years roughly from the late 1930s through 1980.
I came to this project because I believed my old neighborhood suffered from a lack of visibility. I had fond memories of growing up on the 5900 block of Central Park Avenue, but even Chicagoans from other neighborhoods didn’t know where Hollywood Park was. It was never in the news, it had no famous landmarks. I wanted to put it on the map by searching its history for claims to fame. I found more than I could have ever imagined and you can read about my discoveries in the blogposts and comments.
It didn’t take long for me to realize a childhood in Hollywood Park in the 1960s – or in the 1950s – was similar to childhoods in other neighborhoods on Chicago’s North Side. But the ways in which our experiences differed had a lot to do with the coincidences of history. Learning about why Hollywood Park evolved the way it did — an admittedly very narrow focus – ended up linking to the larger history of the city, the state, and the country.
Through this blog I learned why North Park had a seemingly curious mix of Jewish and Scandinavian residents; why there was a tuberculosis sanitarium across the street from my house; and why there are two Chicago high schools less than a mile apart (Von Steuben and Roosevelt). There’s a lot more to learn, so dive in.
I began writing the blog in late 2009 and stopped actively posting in 2019. I will respond to messages submitted through the contact form.
When I’m not researching stories for the blog, I work as writer and design thinking strategist. Please connect with me on LinkedIn.
Tours and talks
Since 2012, I have been guiding tours of the grounds of the former Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium, which was across the street from the house I grew up in. North Park Village Nature Center hosts the tours and Atlas Obscura manages registration and promotion.
Steve Johnson of the Chicago Tribune wrote an article about the centennial celebration for the former Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium that I organized in 2015 with the support of the Chicago Park District, the North Park Village Nature Center, Margaret Hicks and Forgotten Chicago.
In 2018 I partnered with the staff of WBEZ Curious City to lead a tour for a group of their listeners. Reach out to discuss a customized tour for your group.
I’ve gathered some of my research on the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium on a separate, dedicated blog.
Testimonials
“Many thanks to Frances O’Cherony Archer for her program about the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium–a fascinating story about a holistic and nurturing model of healthcare that, unfortunately, no longer exists. I had a personal interest in the story since my grandfather used to work there as a physician. We had great attendance at the program, including some visitors who are now living in condominiums for older adults on the grounds as well as one woman who was an actual resident. Frances’s presentation was truly engaging and lively and extremely well received by our audience. The story is a very important one in both the history of Chicago and the history of healthcare.”
–Chuck Freilich, Director of Repriorment and Lifelong Engagement, Mather Lifeways
“Your presentation to my class from National Louis University was extremely enjoyable for all—for those who lived in the neighborhood and remembered the Sanitarium as well as the others who were fascinated by the history of the disease as well as this unique complex of classical buildings in pristine condition. None of us realized how TB affected the population in the early 1900’s. This was an eye-opening learning experience about an illness that fortunately is not part of our heritage, but one we should know about and learn from. It is amazing that this area still exists–walking through it feels like being in a time warp. Your research including the historic photos and newspaper articles, first-hand accounts, and delivery were both illuminating and absorbing. Thank you for your commendable efforts to remember these heroes, their achievements, and the unfortunate victims and their families who deserve a place in our Chicago history.”
–Rosalie Dixler, Coordinator, Lifelong Learning Institute, National Louis University
If you’re interested in booking me to speak to your group in the greater Chicago area, send me an email via my contact form.
Disclosure Policy
This policy is valid from 06 March 2012
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free books, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from individuals, companies and organizations.
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