Pilsen Area in 1980 Documentary

A 1980 WTTW documentary filmed in September explores the Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen and the challenges it faces, including unemployment and gentrification, but also celebrates the efforts of the community to improve.

[@guyincognito1232]

That opening shot, Cullerton, Blue Island and Laflin. I lived in Pilsen from 1998-2020. I’ve must’ve crossed that intersection hundreds of times. La Tortillería El Milagro, brand new Benito Juárez High School, (just behind the camera). La Casa del Pueblo a bit further down, Rudy Lozano Library (wouldn’t be built until the the late 80’s). I miss Pilsen. We didn’t know how good we had it. 😢 You could walk to everything, you could walk to school, church, store, library. 18th street was full of little shops, barbershop, hardware store, laundromat, restaurants, the jumping bean, there was a video rental store, literally on every corner. I would spend my summers at the pool in Harrison Park or Dvorak Park trying to cool off during those Chicago summers. Every once in a while one of the neighbors would open the water hydrant, I’d ask my mom for permission to cool off but she’d say “no, what if the cops come?” I saw the transformation happen right in front of my eyes and it was gradual. But I’d say in 2010, Chicago wanted to expand its Downtown area south. I remember being 14 and playing basketball at a small park on Throop and 18th place. There were a lot of cops in formation (about 20-30) standing in rows of 5 on 18th place. it seemed like a statement for the neighborhood. Like announcing or assigning a whole new squad to Pilsen. Slowly but surely they applied pressure on the gangs, got the drugs out and bought and sold property for a profit. Buy low, sell high. There was a sweet spot in which a lot of the gangs were cleaned up and enough good people were left behind that made Pilsen worth living in.

[@xeroxed7766]

Back then Pilsen made Little Village and North Lawndale look like disney land

[@SlappingNotes]

Now little village make Pilsen look like six flags.

[@JoseLopez-ye9ok]

I’m from pilsen n that’s a good one! But killas kno wasup!

[@Amcheesehehe]

Little village and heart of Chicago and 18th st walkway been crazy

[@viperrr6886]

It wasnt too long before both were bad ultimatley humbult park was worse than pilsen and little village

[@piglet7943]

And now Pilsen is turning into yuppie land. Gentrification is a MFer and Little Village is next.

[@Jaime-di1qk]

Born and raised in Pilsen: 1977-2002, moved for a while then again in 2006-2007. Left that place years ago. I have some of the best memories, but only as a child. Also, the worse memories as a young adult. The political people from that area never gave a crap about the neighborhood. All those years, and I never saw any huge input of money added. That money went to the suburbs. I saw so many friends lose their lives in that neighborhood. I was lucky to have walked away from it. Thank you for this video…..it brought back so many memories

[@westlove1226]

@@Jaime-di1qk thank you for sharing your perspective!

[@j.s.3297]

My parents arrived in Pilsen in the 50's and we left in 1975, back then there were still some Cechs and Hungarians living there. We lived by what used to be Burkhardt's soda on 18th st. and used to go Lawrence's fishery on Canal...brings back memories.

[@abelincoln6785]

We bought two cases of Burkhardt's soda per week, one for us one for cousins.

[@bleedcubieblue]

18th and what

[@MartVale1]

Where did you move to afterwards? I would love to hear stories of families that first lived in Pilsen and where did they move out too or what are they up to know?

[@bleedcubieblue]

@MartVale1 still here since 87

[@tmanthemost1157]

Now it’s almost completely gentrified

[@technum1]

Pilsen Chicago. Gentrification. That’s a definition for upgraded. It unbelievable kids need to create a special path to reach schooling. A woman explained that on TV. The area is gang infested. Children need to be kids and live in a safe area with positive role models.

[@tmanthemost1157]

@@technum1 yeah by people that don’t even belong in that neighborhood or have no connection to it. The people can solve the problems themselves I’ll take the gang infestation over unaffordable living.

[@OscarHernandez-je9zc]

Not really it’s still the barrio

[@tmanthemost1157]

@@OscarHernandez-je9zc it really isn’t anymore

[@ggv4541]

@@tmanthemost1157 you act like the place doesnt look the same as it used to besides a little cleaner and a few new buildings

[@cesarespinal8151]

Born and raised in pilsen so many good memories with my family growing up 👍

[@bluered5420]

What is your opinion on the unemployment discussion? As a young person who merely has to google things, it seems every generation has an argument about how "people don't want to work anymore". Then it seems the blame is on young people who are the least experienced people at any given task. The economy continues to demand a desperate class of low paid workers to keep the company or factory going.

[@ggv4541]

That intersection in the opening scene probably has the best view of the skyline in the whole city

[@miketurner3461]

I like how you can see the Hancock from Blue Island. You can no longer see it because there's so many more skyscrapers in front of it now.

[@Taterfried]

I had a short stint on 18th and Blue Island in Pilsen in 2018 40 years after this doc.

[@JuniorAlvarez-ni1wo]

I grew up in pilsen, 18th and Oakley. We had to move out for mines and my families safety. But the community was great I enjoyed every single year I had over there.

[@MrSoldierperson]

My first neighborhood. Heart of Chicago neighborhood. We moved out in the mid seventies.

[@MartVale1]

Where did you go to?

[@davidc.2099]

I grew up in Pilsen, and adore the area with all my heart. It's scary how most points made were kinda of true in today's Pilsen. I hope Pilsen is not erased in 15 years.

[@phillipgrey]

Gentrification just like in Wicker Park, Buck Town and Humboldt Park.

[@whatoh3407]

When all the yuppies and cops move into Pilsen, that's when Pilsen will no longer exist.

[@citizenstranger]

@@phillipgrey and logan square

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

@@phillipgrey I think the lower west side has more of a tightly knit community than those areas so I hope they'll be able to resist the forces of gentrification but everywhere within 2 miles of the loop is gentrifying these days. it's the nature of the beast unfortunately. same story all over the country

[@fratzogmopars]

@@carstarsarstenstesenn Gentrification? Isn’t that racist? It works both ways bub.

[@jev3-82]

Nice , Chi kid myself . 82 , grew up in Wicker park before gentrification . Had an awesome childfood , lived by Paulina between Wabansia and North Ave . Good old times 😃

[@ggv4541]

Puro monarcas vato soy da la Vasco de quiroga y del Barrio pilsen la 18

[@vr9580]

You are 82 now? Or were you born in 82?

[@dixienormous6969]

@@vr9580 lol

[@vr9580]

@@dixienormous6969 lol the question may seem stupid but I was a little confused.

[@904_Florida]

@@vr9580 Yeah, I think the year 1982, he'll be a lil younger than 82 if he was born in 1982.

[@IgnacioFlores.]

I love how the Mexican and the Chicago Chicago accent sounds like together, so different from la Mexicans; los chicanos. 😲

[@kincamell2]

Heavy Gratitude .

[@ggv4541]

13:36 Look at Pilsen now....

[@kilobishop8364]

I grew up in Pilsen born in 1980

[@4quall]

My man ! Born on Oakley/23rd St in 1968 and stayed thru 89

[@MartVale1]

12:40 wow I didn’t know that’s Ms. Fraga! I believe she worked at a school, she is well known in the community and very involved. She’s a sweet person.

[@ojonielcntreras780]

Great video✡️our family Waz raised in chicago the pilzen area strong minded hard labor working sacred families times change as the yearz go by God bless uz all🏆

[@chitownreak]

i lived in pilsen from 73 to 99 i miss it very much

[@charlesgarcia8095]

Where are you living now ?

[@ggv4541]

18th st reminds me of some escape from LA type shit

[@chitownreak]

@@ggv4541 in my day it was more like escape from new york,then the warriors then colors

[@ggv4541]

@@chitownreak is it because new york reminds u more of pilsen than la?

[@chitownreak]

@@ggv4541 in the 70s and 80s definitely

[@kenkunz1428]

Once the Artists move in, the neighborhood is finished. My long dead Bohemian relatives used to call 18th St "The Bohemian Skid Row".

[@fcukyou2_]

I see it the opposite, once the artists move In, you know your about to make a ton of money when you sell. im shocked at the values in bridgeport and Humboldt Park.

[@kenkunz1428]

@@fcukyou2_ Once the artists show up, you've got to pack your bags, whether you own a house or not.

[@mrichar9]

Artists... unemployed but with extra steps.

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

It would be nice to find that lady and interview her today if she's still alive.

[@ellab2665]

She is alive and is an active member of the community❤

[@DamnTheMan1]

I was born in 80 and lived in the Pilsen area until 93 when we moved to Texas. My mom and Dad kept in touch with old friends from the area and they told me that they heard how really bad it had gotten and one of my old childhood friends died from a shoot-out or something like that and just so many other things. Now I hear how much it supposedly changed for the better, but I haven't been back in forever already. I plan to go back one day to visit and see for myself.

[@sophiagarcia3687]

The lady talking I think is Mrs Fraga from jco elementary school

[@komptozegee6795]

It Is looked her up. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Fraga

[@EdgarHernandez-qs1yp]

It sure is

[@AlmightyLatinKing]

McKinley Park, Southside Chicago. Since ‘79 👑

[@HITTAGAME]

No one asked u

[@jasongreen2443]

The yuppies are slowly taking over. Pilsen look totally different and the people who lived in Pilsen were forced to move out because city officials purposely raised tenent rent so they couldn't afford to stay in the area.... gentrification is not necessarily a bad thing but it's not a good thing either

[@GTSN38]

It is bad. How do you think rich people get richer and poor people get poorer. They basically stole sections of Pilsen

[@kenkunz1428]

No, it's a bad thing.

[@phillipgrey]

Exactly.

[@GTSN38]

Way of the world, been happening since man first walked

[@iamtryingtopissyouoff.7729]

Pilsen is still 75% Latino

[@whereismarkcam]

I don't think it looks like this any longer. But great report.

[@soy_0scar7]

May God bless and protect you Dios te bendiga y proteja

[@ggv4541]

Seems like this neighborhood was always destined for gentrification being that close to downtown

[@westlove1226]

Absolutely right! It was inevitable, my neighborhood in West Town also faced the same issues

[@Jeremy_Meeks]

Exactly

[@iananderson8288]

compared to the rest of the city, it still hasn't been too gentrified. There is no starbucks, corporate chains , new apartment buildings etc.

[@phillipgrey]

@@iananderson8288 At, least not yet.

[@shady4chi]

@@iananderson8288 I was going to say just that. Compared to Humboldt, Wicker Park Logan Square just to name a few, it’s nowhere as gentrified as those areas.

[@sophiagarcia3687]

1985 fifth generation pilsen bby it was and still is a very unique place to grow up even though it was tuff growing up there I wouldn't change it

[@dallascowboysnumberonefan4863]

I'm a 1985 baby but not from Chicago from cincinnati

[@chicagokush]

Same born n raised in chi 1986 ❤

[@acebandagedaclown4215]

8:36 drinking a beer during work was always a thing!

[@fleadoggreen9062]

That area has been the slowest gentrification I ever seen They were artist types in the early 90’s tgere

[@johnmud5085]

@8:36ish There is an open Old Style on the dashboard for lunch!!!!! Lol... how times have changed?

[@iananderson8288]

condomania of the north side, i love it!

[@Vero8088jv]

That blue van in the vídeo looks like my ex brother-in-law R.I.P Lazer van omg that was right around i started coming around i lived in Pilsen for while since the 90s

[@Vero8088jv]

Update it wasn't his van

[@praisegod3768]

What a darling family -- I wonder how they are now?

[@chicagokush]

I was thinking the same ❤

[@iamtryingtopissyouoff.7729]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Fraga The mom went on to have a career in politics and ran for alderman

[@eriksantoyo92]

Wow Harrison park

[@neoalmaguer6505]

This lady probably knew my grandma dad uncle and aunts

[@bigwendigo2253]

You don’t think artists will be apart of the community? They’re more community driven than most people I know.

[@whatoh3407]

Yes and no.

[@huhhah6757]

What happened too woman like this? The man found a treasure with this one

[@chicagokush]

Her mindset is pure ❤

[@45hoynejr70]

They’re lost now

[@DCAZPER]

Cullerton Deuces, SDz , Bishops good ol Pilsen

[@westlove1226]

You forgot the main ones from the video, the Villa Lobos🐺💚

[@ChicagoBornPilsenBred21]

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶Pilsen✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

[@mzchavez87]

Now Pilsen is extremely expensive

[@westlove1226]

Sadly is, but its a lot cleaner too

[@fcukyou2_]

everywhere in the city is expensive..unless you want to move to Englewood

[@Y.A.BABY4961]

Who REMEMBERS Joe Negrete from the Ambros

[@westlove1226]

Rest in Peace to Link and Negrete💙🖤

[@JohnDoe-ik4uu]

NO LONGER IS IT LIKE THIS THEY TOOK IT BACK RECYCLED. SO SAD ONLY THE TACOS STOOD THERE

[@UTCSB]

Omg gentrification sucks i hate it soo much i get so upset same stuff all over chicago 16:47 just excuses from that guy to put familys out like she said

[@lisalasoya2898]

Beginning with, I think Chicago Illinois started in July 20, 196...And, only to gather a bunch of dregs to this state. As the recruited faze, among these people, something or someone passed along some weird substance that made their nose sockets, notwithstanding put a big hole. In most libraries the chain-of-command is: Statues: Labor: Quarum: then abandon apartments or/and homes. They did not abandon their apartments or homes, get it!

[@BlownMacTruck]

Seek mental health.

[@Da_Fonz]

You have to take care of your neighborhood. You cannot make it worse.

[@GTSN38]

They screwed Pilsen. They can make any neighborhood bad if they want it

[@mustafahajj]

The aliens 👽 says ol' Mike @3:30

[@neoalmaguer6505]

Cmon raza we can be like bro just gen money stay out trouble makes me sad we all the same yet we kill each other so senselessly😂

[@Aroncare]

DOCTRINA MONROE, TRATADO DE BUKAREST etc...

[@westlove1226]

@@Aroncare huh…?

[@4quall]

The City should have let homeowners there stay on capped property tax if owned their homes prior to 1995. Everyone else cant get the upcharge bullshit they are doing to Pilsen.

[@hueso5071]

@00:30 gang members

[@ggv4541]

What street is that? Are they Villalobos or ambro's

[@hueso5071]

@@ggv4541 not sure. Since a lot of hoods look different today, I say either Ambrose or Counts. Since they were the 2 gangs making the most noise at that time.

[@acebandagedaclown4215]

They are inhaling some good stuff

[@mikewhite8848]

How did you figure they were gang members? I'm not from that era and back then everybody dressed the same

[@hueso5071]

@@mikewhite8848 this area at the time was heavily gang infested and they always hung out in the neighborhoods like this.

[@weupnext1700]

2024 almight bishops run pilsen

[@xxeznn]

sdz more deep there now then bishops

[@neoalmaguer6505]

Her daughter Married un gringo😂¿

[@mikeforner7797]

I don't care where you are from...you just better be here LEGALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@carloselizondo7671]

It's all white now.

[@westlove1226]

Certainly not all of Pilsen.