Puerto Rican Life in Humboldt Park
West Side
Beginning in the 1940s and continuing through the 1960s, large numbers of Puerto Ricans moved to Chicago and formed a community in the Northwest Side neighborhood of Humboldt Park.
A mile-long stretch of Division Street between Western and California became the center of the community, with restaurants, shops, and other businesses reflecting the culture of Puerto Rico. In 1995, the significance of this commercial area, known as Paseo Boricua, was celebrated with the installation of steel Puerto Rican flag sculptures arching over each end of the corridor.
Facing increasing gentrification and threats of displacement, local institutions and cultural events became more significant to expressing community identity and unity. Humboldt Park is home to the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture. The Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade, the Puerto Rican Arts Festival, and religious holidays such as Three Kings Day celebrate the music, food, art, and traditions of the Puerto Rican community.
