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Bucktown Resident's Photo Album A Window Into Neighborhood Past

By Alisa Hauser | September 26, 2016 3:03pm
 Photos gathered by Thomas Rzodkiewicz.
Old Photos of Bucktown, WIcker Park
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BUCKTOWN — A lifelong Bucktown resident and retired Chicago Police officer has created an online album featuring an array of scenes from the past, including from before he was born. 

"I hope you enjoy this little trip back in time to our little corner of the world," Thomas Rzodkiewicz posted on the Bucktown Community Facebook page on Sunday.

The album, which Rzodkiewicz said he cobbled together using his own photos and others from a "Bucktown Originals" group and other sources, has gotten a lot of "likes" and shares in the past day. 

"One of the reasons people love the neighborhood is because it's so old," said Rzodkiewicz, 57. 

Rzodkiewicz, who attended St. Mary of the Angels grammar school and Weber High School, said Bucktown was mostly made up of "rugged working class" Polish families during the 1960s.

He and two other siblings were raised by their mom, Stanislawa "Stella" Rzodkiewicz, who cleaned Downtown office buildings to support the family.

"Growing up around here was an adventure every single day. We knew a lot of the gang bangers and were careful where we walked and where we played," he said.

Rzodkiewicz said he retired a few years ago after having worked as a Chicago Police officer on the South Side and in Lincoln Park. 

Though the album can be seen only by the 2,898 members of the Bucktown Facebook page, Rzodkiewick said he is trying to make it public, so more people can add to it or add their memories.

Here are a few highlights from Rzodkiewicz's album, which he captioned:

Courtesy of Thomas Rzodkiewicz.

Courtesy of Thomas Rzodkiewicz.

Jamming at Zagorski's, now Lotties. Courtesy of Thomas Rzodkiewicz.

Courtesy of Thomas Rzodkiewicz.

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