The Chatham neighborhood, located 10 miles south of the Chicago Loop, is the childhood home of famous singer and pianist Nat King Cole, whose father preached at True Light Baptist Church. Not far from the church is Nat King Cole Park, on East 85th Street, which features an outdoor basketball court and spray pool.
Bounded by 79th Street on the north, 95th on the south, the Dan Ryan Expressway west and Cottage Grove on the east, Chatham offers home seekers an architectural mix of home styles that range from the iconic Chicago brick bungalows to Victorians, ranch homes, Tudors and town homes. Most of the rental buildings are located along 79th and 81st Streets.
Since the mid-1950s when urban flight forced the community’s previous residents of Swedish, Irish, and Hungarian origin from their neighborhood, Chatham has been a stronghold of Chicago’s black middle class. The community has hosted the launch of several successful black businesses, including Illinois Service Federal, Johnson Products Company (Ultra Sheen Hair Products) and Seaway National Bank of Chicago.
Nearby attractions include the Museum of Science and Industry, the University of Chicago, Hyde Park and the DuSable Museum. Public transportation includes a Chatham stop on Metra’s electric commuter rail line, which provides daily service between downtown Chicago at Millennium Station and the southern destinations of University Park and Blue Island. Bus service is also available.
Chatham offers a number of elementary schools including Ball Elementary, Chatham Elementary and Arthur R Ashe Elementary School. Area high schools include Glenwood High School and Jimmie Thompson High School. Other schools include Simeon Career Academy, John T Pirie Fine Arts and Academic Center and Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center.
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