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EARLY ESTABLISHMENT
Swedish immigrants begin to establish settlements in Chicago. In 1846, there were 40 Swedes living in the city, most employed in the construction of the Illinois & Michigan canal. -
A RURAL COMMUNITY
Swedish farming families began to move to the outskirts of Chicago. The area around the intersection of present-day W. Foster Ave. and N. Clark St. was once a large cherry orchard. -
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION
The Andersonville School - the area's first primary school - opens on the corner of Foster and Clark. -
MASS MIGRATION
The Swedish population in Chicago doubles, with most new arrivals settling in the Near North Side. -
FIRE!
The Great Chicago Fire destroys Old Swede Town, forcing many Swedes to relocate to Andersonville. -
COMMUNITY HEALTH
The Swedish Covenant hospital opens its doors to residents of the North Side community. -
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Swedish immigrant Frederick Lundin wins a seat in the Illinois state senate, ad then the U.S. House of representatives in 1908. -
SPIRITUAL CENTER
The First Swedish Evangelical Church is founded on the corner of W. Berwyn Ave. and N. Ashland Ave. -
PROVISIONS
Erickson's Delicatessen opens on N. Clark St., supplying all the essential sundry to stock a Swedish pantry. -
TASTE OF HOME
The Johnson family opens The Swedish Bakery on N. Clark St., supplying the neighborhood with spritz cookies and limpa bread. Although the Johnsons are no longer in charge, the bakery still rolls out traditional favorites. -
WATERING HOLE
Simon Lundberg opens a pub on N. Clark St. in the wake of prohibition - Simon's Tavern is still in business and looks much the same as it did 75 years ago. -
BREAKFAST FIT FOR A VIKING
Svea Restaurant, a traditional Swedish diner, opens on N. Clark St., carrying favorites like Swedish pancakes, lingonberry jam and potato sausage. -
CULTURAL LANDMARK
The Swedish American Museum Center is founded in a former hardware store on N. Clark St. -
SWEDISH CULINARY RENAISSANCE
A relative newcomer in the community, Ann Sather Cafe brings Swedish cooking back with a vengeance, cementing "Lingonberries" in the contemporary brunch vernacular.
