Photo courtesy of the Chicago History Museum, ICHi-35012; by James Newberry

News & Events

Visit the “New” Maxwell Street Market

The Maxwell Street Market is a Chicago tradition of bargains and bargaining with an international flavor. The market offers an eclectic mix of merchandise—from tools to tires, plus fresh produce, furniture, clothing, rare finds and collectibles—and some of the best Mexican and Latin street food in Chicago. Open to the pubic free of charge every … Read More

Maxwell portraits

The portraits of Dr. Philip Maxwell, for whom Chicago’s Maxwell Street is named, and his wife Jerusha are presented at St. Ignatius College Prep inside the school’s newly remodeled Main Entry that fronts the original Maxwell Street neighborhood. On loan to St. Ignatius College Prep from the Foundation through next Fall, the oil on panel paintings are believed to be … Read More

Maxwell Street: A Living Memory, the Jewish Experience in Chicago

March 19, 2017

The 2002 film “Maxwell Street: A Living Memory, the Jewish Experience in Chicago” will be presented at the University Commons Theatre Room, 1011 W. 14th Place on Sunday March 19th, at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. with a special appearance of the filmmaker, Shuli Eshel at each viewing. Seating is limited; RSVP to  Cost:  $15 will … Read More

New Maxwell Street Market: Its Present and Future – Dr. Alfonso Morales Report

The Maxwell Street Market began as a collection of small street markets in immigrant neighborhoods south and west of the Loop. After the 1871 fire, street market activity arose around the intersection of Canal Street and 12th Street (Roosevelt Road). In time, a trolley line on Jefferson Street drew peddlers there, and the outdoor market … Read More

Saving Maxwell Street: The People, Power, and the Politics of Urban Aesthetics in Chicago – Janelle L. Walker Ph.D. thesis

Saving Maxwell Street: The People, Power, and the Politics of Urban Aesthetics in Chicago, PhD thesis by Dr. Janelle L. Walker.  Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Folklore, Indiana University.  December 2000. The Maxwell Street neighborhood … Read More

“Killing Maxwell Street is like taking opera from Milan”, A Maxwell Street Anthology – Dr. Alphonse Diaz, Dr. Steven Balkin, Reverend Ellis May III, editors

A Plea to the Chicago City Council on April 11, 1994: Mayor Daley has his mind set to eliminate the Maxwell Street Market. The vote in the City Council is set for April 13. The Hispanic and Afro-American grassroots communities are very upset about this. People are already asking how can the President and the Vice … Read More

Losing Maxwell Street? – Hannah Norwood BA thesis

LOSING MAXWELL STREET?  A Thesis Submitted to The Faculty of the College of the University of Chicago In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Department of Anthropology by HANNAH NORWOOD. Chicago, Illinois, May, 2013 Maxwell Street Market might still exist by name in Chicago, but ask anyone involved with … Read More

Tour the old Maxwell Street area during Chicago Blues Fest!

June 10, 2017

Saturday, June 10, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Meet on the southwest corner of Maxwell & Halsted Streets (in front of Peet’s coffee shop, 1328 S. Halsted) in Chicago for a guided walking tour of the neighborhood where electrified Blues was born! Chicago’s Blues Fest runs June 9-11, 2017, so take a little detour to walk the … Read More

Printers’ Row Book Fair

June 11, 2016

June 11-12, 2016. Join the Maxwell Street Foundation at the famous annual Printers’ Row Book Fair to buy Maxwell Street history publications, including Chicago’s Maxwell Street by Lori Grove and Laura Kamedulski, Arcadia Publishing, Inc., 2002.