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Throwback Thursday: Norwood Park's Twin Business Districts Used To Be Dry

By Alex Nitkin | June 1, 2017 6:07am
 A photo of Northwest Highway in Norwood Park, taken in 1922
A photo of Northwest Highway in Norwood Park, taken in 1922
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Northwest Chicago Historical Society

CHICAGO — This week's #ThrowbackThursday shows two mid-century snapshots of Northwest Highway, which forks off from Milwaukee Avenue to create two competing commercial strips in Norwood Park.

"Norwood Park really has two business districts: one along Milwaukee Avenue that boarders [suburban] Niles, and a one along Northwest Highway centered near the train depot," according to Northwest Chicago Historical Society Board member Frank Suerth. "I think the true business district is the one on Northwest Highway."

Both areas struggled to attract businesses until a 58-year-old moratorium on liquor sales was lifted in 2005, Suerth said.

DNAinfo is partnering with the Northwest Chicago Historical Society for a new history post each week. All photos are the property of Northwest Chicago Historical Society unless otherwise indicated.

 A view looking southwest onto Northwest Highway at Raven Street
A view looking southwest onto Northwest Highway at Raven Street
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Northwest Chicago Historical Society

For more photos and information, visit the Northwest Chicago Historical Society's Facebook page.