Western Avenue (Chicago):
Western Avenue is the longest continuous street within the city of Chicago at 23.67 miles (38.09 km) in length.[1] Some sources claim that Western is the longest street in the world.[2] Western Avenue extends south as a continuous road to the Dixie Highway at Sibley Boulevard (Illinois Route 83) in Dixmoor, giving the road a total length of 27.38 miles (44.06 km).[1] Within Chicago's grid street system, Western Avenue is 2400 West.
[edit] History
From 1851 to 1869, Western Avenue delineated the western edge of the city of Chicago.[2] Being at the edge of town, it became a picnic spot, and Riverview Park was built at the intersection of Western and Belmont Avenues. The amusement park remained open from 1904 until 1967. The park's property is now home to the Riverview Plaza shopping center, the Belmont District Police Station, and DeVry Institute of Technology. Western Avenue is considered one of the safest roads in Chicago for cyclists, commuting motorists generously share the road with their cycling counterparts.
[edit] Transit
Western Avenue is serviced by many Chicago Transit Authority buses and trains. The street is crossed by the Brown Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, and two times by the Blue Line, on the O'Hare and Douglas branches. The Western Avenue Buses (#49, 49A, 49B, and x49) run along Western Avenue, from Howard Street in the north to 135th Street in Blue Island. The street is also served by the #349 Pace bus south of 79th Street, and by a Metra stop on the north side.
[edit] South Side Irish Parade
Western Avenue also plays host to one of the largest, most raucous annual events the City of Chicago has to offer, the South Side Irish Parade. Held yearly on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day, along Western between 103rd and 115th Street in the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods, is the city's largest neighborhood parade, drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers annually.
For further information, see South Side Irish.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
ForgottenChicago.com's Excellent article on an Art Deco Era Streetscape on S. Western Ave.
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