Location: Galewood shares borders with Oak Park to the south (at North Avenue) and Elmwood Park to the west (at Harlem Avenue.). It is bounded on the east by Austin Boulevard and on the north by Fullerton Avenue. Chicago, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, and River Forest all meet at the intersection of Harlem and North Avenue. Click here for Map.
History: Known as “the suburb within the city,” Galewood was developed in 1838 by Abram Gale. Since then, Galewood has been home to several famous people, including William J. Cullerton, World War II Army air ace; Robert J. Graham, former state senator; Bill Heiland, long-time hall of fame football coach at Austin High School; Hugh Hefner, publisher; Kim Novak, actress; and James Thompson, former governor of the State of Illinois.
Architecture: Galewood and neighboring Montclare have over 9,000 brick and stone homes. Most date from the 1940’s, and no two are identical. The architectural styles include English Tutor, ranch, turreted Normandy, Cape Cod, and Georgian. The mix of styles makes a beautiful-looking community.
Many of these homes were constructed and still belong to the original owners’ families. In many instances, grown children have purchased their parents’ or grandparents’ homes and remain in the neighborhood.
This community’s housing prices are considered relatively favorable compared to some other neighborhoods in Chicago and its adjacent suburbs. Galewood is an affordable touch of small-town America in the city of Chicago.
Government: The City of Chicago is populated by almost three million people and has a mayor/council form of government. It is divided into fifty wards, each represented by an alderman. All fifty aldermen comprise the Chicago City Council. Through its government process of checks and balances, the Mayor and the City Council oversee all city-related issues. The term of office for the Mayor is four years; the term of office for an Alderman is also four years.
The Galewood neighborhood is part of the 36th ward.
Education: Questions about specific schools can be addressed to Chicago Public Schools, Office of Information, Outreach and Ombudsman Services at 773-553-1000.
Private and parochial schools locally include the Learning Center Network, the Academy for Scholastic Achievement, Fenwick High School (a private Dominican Catholic college preparatory school in the nearby Village of Oak Park), and St. Ignatius College Prep.
Transportation: Galewood is only 15 minutes from downtown Chicago by public transportation. Metra’s Milwaukee line commuter trains stop at the Montclare and Mars stations in Galewood; the Galewood Metra Station is just east of the neighborhood. Both CTA and PACE buses serve the area. The Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) is about three miles south of Galewood.
Arts and Culture: Arts and Culture: All major points of interest in the city of Chicago and its near west suburbs are easily accessible to the residents of Galewood.
Points of Interest: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago. The Chicago Shriners Hospital is a leading Midwest children’s hospital providing high quality pediatric orthopedic surgery, plastic, reconstructive and craniofacial surgery and spinal cord injury care. Located on the northwest side of Chicago, the hospital is a short term, 60-bed facility that combines quality medical care with innovative education and research Shriners Hospitals are open to all children without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner. Although the care is the very best, it is policy never to charge a patient or parent for any medical care or services provided at a Shriners Hospital.
Library: The Galewood Library is part of the Chicago Public Library and is in the north district. The 3,360 square foot space is in a storefront, built in 1978. The meeting room has seating for 50.
The collection is 54% adult and 46% juvenile. Equipment and non- print materials include books on tape, audiocassettes, compact discs, educational & home improvement videos, educational toys housed in the “Preschooler & Parent Activity Center” and internet access. The library also has special collections of large print books, Italian language materials and the NatureConnections, the Chicago Public Library’s unique collection of natural history materials for children, including books, magazines, pamphlets, videos, and discovery objects for “touching.” It also sponsors exciting programs for children and adults.
Park District: Located in the Austin community (two blocks north of North Avenue, mid-way between Central and Austin Avenues), Galewood Park’s small fieldhouse sits on 2.30 acres. Galewood Park District
Shopping: The Brickyard Mall and Bricktown Center are conveniently located two miles north of Galewood. Harlem-Irving Plaza is, at 550,000 square feet, the area’s largest enclosed regional shopping center and is located approximately 2.7 miles north of Galewood.