The Near West Side, one of the 77 community areas of Chicago, is on the West Side, west of the Chicago River and adjacent to the Loop. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started on the Near West Side. Waves of immigration shaped the history of the Near West Side of Chicago, including the founding of Hull House, a prominent settlement house. In the 19th century railroads became prominent features. In the mid-20th century, the area saw the development of freeways centered in the Jane Byrne Interchange.
Fulton Market, West Loop
900 West Randolph in West Loop
Fulton-Randolph Market District
Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios was formerly in the Near West Side.
The West Side is one of the three major sections of the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is joined by the North and South Sides. The West Side contains communities that are of historical and cultural importance to the history and development of Chicago. On the flag of Chicago, the West Side is represented by the central white stripe.
The Garfield Park fieldhouse on Central Park Avenue near Washington Boulevard.
The Chicago River set the historical boundaries of the "sides" of the city.
View of Randolph Street after the Great Chicago Fire.
Jane Addams, one of the founders of the nationally acclaimed Hull House Settlement.