Bronzeville

Neighborhood in the South Side District of Chicago

Bronzeville, the Black Metropolis, is a mecca of African-American History on Chicago's South Side, just a few miles south of downtown. Gwendolyn Brooks published poetry in the Chicago Defender, Andrew Rube Foster created Negro League Baseball, and Louis Armstrong kept his trumpet singing at the Sunset Cafe to keep Al Capone off his back. Long in disrepair, the neighborhood is coming back, with new residents refurbishing historic homes, and with new dining and nightlife scenes beginning to take root.

Bronzeville has a history of being a cultural and intellectual hub for African-Americans, with notable figures like Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wright, and Louis Armstrong calling the neighborhood home. This rich cultural heritage still remains a draw for visitors interested in the area's history.

Although there have been efforts to revitalize the neighborhood, there are still areas that are blighted and crime-ridden, particularly below 47th Street and west of the Dan Ryan Expressway. Visitors should exercise caution in these areas, especially after dark.

While there are a few nice coffee shops and restaurants that have opened in recent years, the neighborhood is not known for its thriving entertainment or nightlife scene. Instead, its principal attraction remains its rich history and cultural heritage.