Riverdale

Riverdale is divided into four residential areas, but has few single-family homes. About 60% of the roughly 3,000 housing units in the community are in the Chicago housing Authority’s Altgeld Gardens, a self-contained public housing development that incorporates schools, a library and a health care clinic. Established in the far south neighborhood of Riverdale, Altgeld Gardens was one of the first affordable housing projects in the United States, built in 1945. It was constructed to deal with the housing needs of African-Americans getting back from the Second World War. Its 1,500 two-story row houses span 157 acres and are in the process of being refurbished, and are skirted by 130th Street, the Calumet River, the Indiana state border, Beaubien Forest Preserve, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. It was originally colonized by Dutch and German immigrants in the mid 1800’s. There has been some new development in the community. Projects have been initiated by the Local Advisory Council. The Dan Ryan Expressway is placed in the community.

Carver Park resides in Altgeld Gardens. It was built not long after the housing projects were completed. The park was named after George Washington Carver-a well regarded African-American scientist whose agricultural research made great advances in the field. Speaking to the locality want for recreational activities, the park contains such characteristics as sports fields, swimming, and open areas.

The community is named after former Illinois governor John Altgeld. There are roughly 3,500 people living in this locality. The area is located between 130th Street, the Calumet River, the border to Indiana, Beaubien Forest Preserve, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. There are schools and medical services in the region to serve locals.

Riverdale’s surroundings and story make it a place of local significance: the forest preserve is spotted with old-growth oaks and deer, and the Calumet River is a popular place for angling. Riverdale was also an significant stop on the Underground Railroad.