Hermosa, Chicago

The Hermosa area originated as one of the many suburban crabgrass communities of Jefferson Township.{{cite book |last=Karlen |first=Harvey M. |date=1992 |title=.Chicago's Crabgrass Communities: A History of the Independent Suburbs and Their Post Offices That Became Part of Chicago. |location=Chicago, IL |publisher=Collectors' Club of Chicago |page="Hermosa." 201–04 |isbn=9780916675042 }} The first verifiable proof of European settlement in the area occurred in the early 1880s after railroads were constructed through the area.{{cite book |date=1930 |title=Hermosa On The Eve of The Second World's Fair 1933: A History of Hermosa to Date 1930 |location=Chicago, IL |publisher=Hermosa Improvement Association }} In 1872, an extension of the Chicago and Pacific Rail Road was extended, passing through Hermosa from east to west. One of the first settlers was named Mr. Lathman, who built his house in the spring of 1882. In the same year, James F. Keeney, who owned much of the land that now comprises Hermosa, started building a number of houses within his subdivision. In 1884, the first large scale successful industrial enterprise, the Laminated Wood Company, was founded. In 1886 several other factories were also established such as the Expanded Metal Company, the Eclipse Furnace Company, and a warehouse belonging to the Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company.{{cite web|url= http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/578.html|title= Hermosa|publisher= The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago|access-date= November 11, 2014}} The Keeney Company actively promoted the growth of Hermosa and ultimately helped convince the railroad to build a station in the area, which Mr. Kenney constructed at his own expense. By 1884, there were 30 houses and 150 people living in Hermosa,{{cite book |last1=Wirth |first1=Louis |last2=Furez |first2=Margaret |last3=Burchard |first3=Edward L. |date=1938 |title=Local Community Fact Book, 1938. Vol. 2. |location=Chicago, Il |publisher=Chicago Recreation Commission }} most of these original settlers were Scotch, German and Swedish immigrants.{{cite book |last=Chicago Fact Book Consortium |date=1995 |title="CA 20-Hermosa." In Local Community Fact Book : Chicago Metropolitan Area, 1990 |location=Chicago, Il |publisher=University of Illinois at Chicago |isbn=9780914091608 |pages=82–84}} The first schools and churches were established in the area in the late 1880s and 1890s.

File:Hermosa - Chicago, IL (housing).jpg

The first name for Hermosa was likely "Pacific," but there is no verifiable record to prove this. The first official name for the area was Garfield, in honor of the late president. In 1885 the name of the town was changed to Hermosa for the reason of establishing a post office at Kenney's rail station—there already was a post office named Garfield and the name could not be duplicated. A Mr. Peebles, secretary to the superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Rail Road, is credited with suggesting the name Hermosa, which means beautiful in Spanish.

In the fall of 1889, Hermosa was annexed into the City of Chicago. The area grew slowly throughout the remainder of the 19th century and was mostly characterized by the construction of simple worker's cottages,{{cite web|url= http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ahaa/imagebase/buildings/Files/WorkersCottage.html|title= The Worker's Cottage |publisher= Field Guide to Chicago Area Buildings |access-date= November 12, 2014}} but began to see rapid growth in the first two decades of the 20th century.{{cite book |last=Historic Resources Survey (CHRS) |date=1996 |title="Community Area # 20 Hermosa" Chicago Historic Resources Survey: An Inventory of Architecturally and Historically Significant Structures. |location=Chicago, Il |publisher=City Hall, Room 1000, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago 60602 |pages=133–135}} Streetcars were extended through the community along Armitage Avenue in 1895, Fullerton Avenue in 1914, and Belmont Avenue in 1917. The Hermosa Improvement Association was organized in 1912 for the purpose of securing needed improvements including a park. The organization is primarily responsible for the establishment of Hermosa Park. By 1920 Hermosa had swelled to over 15,000 residents. Hermosa went through a building boom during this decade; most of the area neighborhood of Kelvyn Park was built out during this decade and was composed mostly of brick bungalows and two-flats. In addition, the remaining open land in southern Hermosa was built out and filled with brick bungalows, two- and three-flats, and smaller 5+ unit apartment buildings. With Hermosa being surrounded by railroad tracks on three sides, industrial development continued to occur along these railroad tracks and along industrial spurs throughout the 1920s. One of the more notable industrial players was the Schwinn Bicycle Company, which had its headquarters and manufacturing base in Hermosa at 1718 N. Kildare Ave. & 1856 N. Kostner Ave, respectively.{{cite web|url= http://zenithbook.blogspot.com/2014_07_01_archive.html|title= Schwinn Bicycles / 1718 N. Kildare Ave. & 1856 N. Kostner Ave. Chicago, IL. , 1895-1982 |publisher= A Requiem for Zenith Radio Corporation|access-date= December 27, 2014}} Schwinn had facilities in Hermosa from 1895 to 1982.{{cite web|url= http://www.craigslostchicago.com/lost-mfg.php|title= Schwinn Bicycles |publisher= 'Craig's Lost Chicago' |access-date= December 27, 2014}} The railroads also created many dead-end streets in Hermosa, which isolated residents geographically from surrounding communities, but also created a sense of security. By the end of the 1920s, Hermosa's infrastructure and building stock was nearly completely built out, representing much of the community as it exists today. Indeed, the average median age of a home in Hermosa (in 2012) dates back to 1919, with nearly 63% of the structures in the community having been built before 1940.{{cite web|last=Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning|title=Community Data Snapshot - Hermosa |url=http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/126764/Hermosa.pdf|access-date=December 28, 2014}}

{{US Census population

|1920=15152

|1930=23605

|1940=22894

|1950=22805

|1960=21429

|1970=19838

|1980=19547

|1990=23131

|2000=26908

|2010=25010

|2020=24062

|footnote={{cite web|last=Paral |first=Rob |title=Chicago Community Areas Historical Data |url=http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm |access-date=August 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318055428/http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm |archive-date=March 18, 2013 }}

}}

By the 1930s Hermosa's population had grown to over 23,500 residents. The area was populated primarily by Germans, Scandinavians with newer groups of Poles, Hungarians, and Austrians. After an expansive period, Hermosa's population began to decline, most prominently in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1960s, Puerto Ricans had become the largest ethnicity in the area. By 1980, the population had decreased below 20,000 with over a third of the population being Hispanic. In 1980, Hermosa was still principally a white community of mostly older Polish, German and Irish ethnicities. The decade of the 1980s proved to be a monumental one for Hermosa, however, transforming the area into a mostly Hispanic community.

In the 1980s, Hermosa’ population swelled dramatically and the ethnic composition shifted radically, changing from one-thirds Hispanic to two-thirds Hispanic by the end of the decade. Puerto Ricans remained the largest ethnic group, with a large Mexican community also establishing roots in the area. Most of the Hispanic population growth was concentrated in the areas south of Fullerton during the 1980s.{{cite book |last1=Lyons |first1=Arthur |last2=McCourt |first2=Kathleen|last3=Nyden |first3=Philip |date=1986 |title=Preserving Home Values in Chicago Through a Home Equity Guarantee Program|url=http://cms4.luc.edu/media/lucedu/curl/pdfs/Preserving_Home_Values.pdf |url-status=dead|location=Chicago, Il |publisher=Loyola University of Chicago |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228080717/http://cms4.luc.edu/media/lucedu/curl/pdfs/Preserving_Home_Values.pdf|archive-date=2014-12-28}} The average size of households jumped dramatically in this decade, with large increases in the population of children 13 years or younger. Total population increased by 3,500 in the 1980s. Families in poverty increased during this time with a 17.4% poverty rate in 1989 and an unemployment rate of 10.9% in 1990. The percentage of overcrowded housing doubled in Hermosa to more than 10% (up from 4%). The housing situation deteriorated starting in the 1970s-1980s, with Hermosa having the second lowest number of housing repairs among the 77 communities. The first appearance of gang violence also appeared in Hermosa in the 1980s. Several organizations were created during this time including the United Neighbors in Action (1982) which primarily fought against a proposed increase in subsidized housing in the area. Neighbors joined to stop crime and gang violence. The Kelvyn Ken-Well Community Organization and the Hermosa Community Organization were two successful community organizations created during this time to combat crime. In 1992, nearly 800 neighbors marched from Kelvyn Park to Hanson Park to protest the continued presence of gangs.

The sustained increases in population helped Hermosa reach an all-time historical high of nearly 27,000 residents in 2000, making Hermosa one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Chicago at the time. By 2000, Hermosa had become 84% Hispanic, up from 68% in 1990. Issues of overcrowding and gang violence started to subside in the 1990s.

While Hermosa's housing stock remained mostly buildings built prior to the 1940s many renovations and rehabs have occurred which have improved the housing stock in recent decades. In recent years Hermosa has seen some gentrification as surrounding areas, such as Logan Square and Avondale, have started to see rising housing prices and business activity. Hermosa is among the top 10 Chicago communities with the fastest increasing housing prices, with home prices having increased 33% since 2012–2014.{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Emmet|title=The Latest Chicago Home Price Data |url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2014/chicago-neighborhoods/housing-data?show=hoods&sortby=-hCS12&attached=false|work=Chicago Magazine|access-date=December 26, 2014}}

Per the 2020 Census, there were 24,062 people residing in the Hermosa community area. Per the 2018-2022 American Community Survey five-year estimates, the racial makeup of the Hermosa community area was 12.4% non-Hispanic White, 3.5% non-Hispanic Black, 3.0% non-Hispanic Asian, and 1.1% non-Hispanic some other race. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 80.1% of the population.{{cite web|last=CMAP |title=Community Data Snapshot |url=https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Hermosa.pdf|access-date=July 31, 2024}}

UIC's Gentrification Index classifies the Hermosa community area as a geographic region that has experienced ‘moderate decline’ over the period 1970 to 2010.{{cite web|last=University of Illinois at Chicago |title=Gentrification Index |url=http://www.voorheescenter.com/#!gentrification-index/ccmx|work= Nathalie P. Voorhees Center|access-date=December 26, 2014}}

Located 6 miles northwest of the Loop, Hermosa's borders are mostly defined by railroad tracks and embankments. The Metra Milwaukee District / West Line forms Hermosa's southernmost border, at Bloomingdale Ave (1800 N).http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doit/general/GIS/Chicago_Maps/Community_Areas/CA_HERMOSA.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} The westernmost border is Cicero Ave. (4800 W.) while the easternmost is the Metra Milwaukee District / North Line. Hermosa's northernmost border is Belmont Ave (3200 N.) Zip codes: 60639, 60641, and 60647.

While Hermosa is the namesake for the general community area, Hermosa as a community is generally defined as being the tract of land south of Fullerton (2400 N) to Bloomingdale Ave (1800 N), west of the Milwaukee District/North Line, and east of Cicero Ave (4800 W).http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doit/general/GIS/Chicago_Maps/Citywide_Maps/City_Neighborhoods_1978_11x17.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} Zip codes: 60639, 60647. Unofficially, Hermosa is generally recognized as bounded by the land north of North Ave (1600 N) and west of Pulaski Ave (4000 W).

Kelvyn Park's boundaries are north of Fullerton Ave (2400 N) to Belmont Ave (3200 N), west of the Milwaukee District/North Line, and east of Cicero Ave (4800 W). ZIP codes: 60639, 60641.{{cite web|url=http://yochicago.com/chicago-neighborhoods/Kelvyn-Park|title=Kelvyn Park neighborhood|work=yochicago.com|access-date= May 31, 2015}}

File:Hermosa - Chicago, IL (Armitage & Keeler).jpg|alt=Business flanking Armitage and Keeler|Armitage Ave. is an important business corridor in Hermosa.

File:Factor 10 house - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg|alt=In 2004, NHSRC's two-story Factor 10 house (red house pictured) at 1919 N. Keeler in the Hermosa neighborhood was named one of the top 10 Green Projects by the American Institute of Architects.|The Factor 10 house (red house pictured) is located in Hermosa and was named a top 10 Green Projects by the American Institute of Architects.

File:Hermosa - Chicago, IL (Keystone & Fullerton).jpg|alt=Row of houses along Keystone Ave located within Hermosa, Chicago, IL.|Many homes in Hermosa are late 19th century simple worker's cottages.

File:Hermosa - Chicago, IL (Keystone Ave).jpg|alt=A series of 2-story brick multi unit homes located on Keystone near Palmer.|A series of 2-flats located on Keystone Ave. near Palmer Ave. in Hermosa.

File:Hermosa - Chicago, IL (Kelvyn Park).jpg|alt=Kelvyn Park is a part of the Hermosa community area boundaries are Fullerton Ave (2400 N) to Belmont Ave (3200 N), the Milwaukee District/North Line, west to Cicero Ave (4800 W). ZIP codes: 60639, 60641.|Kelvyn Park (pictured) was mostly built out during the 1920s-1940s and is composed mostly of brick bungalows and two-flats.

File:Newly Weds Foods Inc. - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg|alt=Newly Weds Foods Inc. is one of the larger property owners and employers in Hermosa, Chicago. Hermosa is surrounded by industrial developments and railroad tracks on three sides. Newly Weds utilizes an industrial spur line off the Milwaukee District/North Line.|Newly Weds Foods Inc. is one of the larger property owners and employers in Hermosa.

File:Viaduct wall art - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg|A painted viaduct located near Ken-Well Park.

As of 2014, the majority of Hermosa was located within the boundaries of the 31st ward and the 30th ward.{{cite web|last=Hudzik |first=Sam|title=50 Wards in 50 Weekdays: A chat with Chicago|url=http://www.wbez.org/50-wards-50-weekdays-chat-chicago-99074|work= WBEZ FM 91.5|access-date=December 26, 2014}} A controversial aldermanic remap{{cite web|last=Ramos|first= Elliott|title=Interactive: City Council-approved Chicago Ward Map|url=http://www.wbez.org/no-sidebar/approved-ward-map-95662|work= WBEZ FM 91.5|access-date=December 26, 2014}} has left the Hermosa community area relegated to 4 wards; with the majority of the community still located within the 31st Ward. Hermosa is also located within the 35th ward, 26th ward, and 36th ward' starting in 2015. The aldermanic remap has left the Hermosa community area politically fractured.

Hermosa is located within the 25th District Chicago Police Department and is located within 8 CAPS District and Beat locations:{{cite web|last=Chicago Police Department |title=District 25: Map and Direction |url=https://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath/Communities/Districts/District25/Map%20and%20Direction |work=chicagopolice.org |access-date=December 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235016/https://portal.chicagopolice.org/portal/page/portal/ClearPath/Communities/Districts/District25/Map%20and%20Direction |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}

• Beat 2521
• Beat 2522
• Beat 2523
• Beat 2524
• Beat 2525
• Beat 2533
• Beat 2534
• Beat 2535

File:Walt Disney Birthplace Exterior Hermosa Chicago Illinois.jpg

• Chester A. Chesney (1916–1986), member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 11th congressional district for the 81st United States Congress. He resided at 2828 North Kolmar Avenue while a member of Congress.
• Michael Gross, actor (Family Ties, Tremors). He was raised in the neighborhood.{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Brian|title=Divide and conquer Hermosa blends industry with bungalows and flats|date=November 16, 1990|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 30, 2019|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-11-16-9004050895-story.html}}
• Mary Gross, actress and Saturday Night Live cast member. She was raised in the neighborhood.
• Leonard W. Schuetz (1887–1944), member of the United States House of Representatives from 1931 until his death in 1944. He resided at 4445 West Wrightwood Avenue during his political career.{{cite book|title=Illinois Blue Book 1943-1944|page=84|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/30892|access-date=March 29, 2021}}

Hermosa is the birthplace of Walt Disney, born on December 5, 1901. The house Walt was born in was designed and built by his father and mother, Elias Disney and Flora Call Disney, in 1893. The home is located at the corner of Tripp Avenue and Palmer Street at 2156 North Tripp Avenue, formerly 1249 Tripp Avenue. The home was sold in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.thewaltdisneybirthplace.org/|title=Home - The Walt Disney Birthplace|work=The Walt Disney Birthplace|access-date= May 31, 2015}} The new owners intended to restore the home and hope to obtain landmark status for the structure.{{cite web|last= Weiss |first= Werner|title=Restoring Walt Disney's Birthplace Tripp Avenue, Chicago, Illinois|url=http://www.yesterland.com/birthplace.html|work=Yesterland.com}}{{cite web|last=Rodriguez |first=Meredith|title=Walt Disney birth home in Chicago may become museum|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/12/04/walt-disney-birth-home-in-chicago-may-become-museum/|work= Chicago Tribune |date=December 4, 2013 |access-date= November 23, 2014}} The City of Chicago attempted to designate the structure as a Historic Landmark in 1991, but the owner of the property at the time fought the designation.{{cite web|title=THE ORIGINAL WALT DISNEY BIRTHPLACE COMMISSION ON CHICAGO LANDMARKS REPORT! |url= http://www.thewaltdisneybirthplace.org/2013/12/30/the-original-walt-disney-birthplace-commission-on-chicago-landmarks-report/|work=thewaltdisneybirthplace.org|date= 2013-12-31}}{{cite web|last=Gidney |first=Norman|title=Broadway Stars Sing for the Walt Disney Birthplace Restoration |url=http://micechat.com/86434-walt-disney-birthplace-foundation/|work= Micechat.com|access-date=November 23, 2014|date=2014-11-16}} Brent Young, Dina Benadon, and Todd Regan, the executive director, are currently raising funds to repair the siding, install restoration windows and paint the structure.{{cite web|last=Weiss |first=Werner|title=Walt Disney Birthplace Restoration Underway|url=http://www.yesterland.com/birthplace4.html|work=yesterland.com}}{{cite web|title=Did U Know? Walt Disney's Childhood Home |url=http://www.wciu.com/videos/youandme/did-u-know-walt-disney-s-childhood-home |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518112654/http://www.wciu.com/videos/youandme/did-u-know-walt-disney-s-childhood-home |archive-date=2015-05-18 }}{{cite web |title=Disney Birthplace|url=http://chicagoprojectmanagement.com/disney-home|work=chicagoprojectmanagement.com}}

File:St. Philomena Church - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg

One of the most notable structures in Hermosa is the St. Philomena Catholic Church, which is located on 1921 N. Kedvale Ave. The church was founded in 1894. Pritzker College Prep is located within the St. Philomena campus.

St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ, established in 1900, and located on 2257 N. Keeler has the notable distinction of being the location of Walt Disney's childhood baptism.{{cite web|last= Weiss |first= Werner|title= Where was Walt Disney born?Direction|url=http://www.yesterland.com/waltchicago.html|work=Yesterland.com |access-date=December 26, 2014}} Today, St. Paul is known as Iglesia Evangelica Bautista Betania.

Industry is a notable component of the built environment in Hermosa. Some 14.8% of all the general land use in Hermosa is for industrial use and 61.7% of all the available employment within the community, totaling 2,215 jobs comes from industry. As a result, manufacturing is the top sector of employment within Hermosa. However, health care is the number one industry sector of employment for Hermosa residents in any neighborhood at 13.9% of total employment.https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Hermosa.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}

The Hermosa community area has supported the Democratic Party in the past by overwhelming margins. In the 2016 presidential election, Hermosa cast 5,219 votes for Hillary Clinton and cast 587 votes for Donald Trump (86.59% to 9.74%).{{cite news|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2016 Presidential Election|newspaper=DNAInfo|date=November 9, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924090904/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|archive-date=September 24, 2019}} In the 2012 presidential election, Hermosa cast 4,271 votes for Barack Obama and cast 489 votes for Mitt Romney (88.41% to 10.12%).{{cite news|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2012 Presidential Election|newspaper=DNAInfo|date=November 9, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203045330/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois/|archive-date=February 3, 2019}}

File:Kelvyn Park High School - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg

• Kelvyn Park High School is a CPS 4-year high school, with 933 students attending.{{cite web|url=http://illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=150162990250023|title=KELVYN PARK HIGH SCHOOL - School Snapshot|work=illinoisreportcard.com| access-date= May 31, 2015}} Kelvyn Park High is currently being converted into a 7-12 grade school to compensate for the loss of Ames Middle School which was converted into the Marine Math and Science Academy.{{cite web |last=Flores |first=Christian |title=Students |url=http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=230819 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228080841/http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=230819 |archive-date=December 28, 2014 }} The conversion of Ames is considered controversial among community stakeholders and is currently being contested.{{cite web|last=Joravsky|first=Ben|title=Will CPS reverse itself on Ames Middle School?|url=http://www.lsna.net/news/2904|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228084807/http://www.lsna.net/news/2904|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 28, 2014|work=Chicago Reader|access-date=November 23, 2014}}
• North-Grand High School is a CPS 4-year high school, with 926 students attending.{{cite web|url=http://illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=150162990250825|title=NORTH-GRAND HIGH SCHOOL - School Snapshot|work=illinoisreportcard.com | access-date= May 31, 2015}}
• William Penn Nixon Elementary School is a CPS PK-6 grade school, with 1,061 students attending.{{cite web|url=http://illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?source=Profile&Schoolid=150162990252374|title=NIXON ELEM SCHOOL - School Snapshot|work=illinoisreportcard.com | access-date= May 31, 2015}}
• Barry Elementary School is a CPS PK-6 grade school, with 838 students attending.{{cite web|url=http://illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=150162990252067|title=BARRY ELEM SCHOOL - School Snapshot|work=illinoisreportcard.com | access-date= May 31, 2015}}
• McAuliffe Elementary School is a CPS PK-8 grade school with 678 students attending.{{cite web|url=http://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=150162990252877|title=MCAULIFFE ELEM SCHOOL - School Snapshot|work=illinoisreportcard.com | access-date= May 31, 2015}}

• Pritzker College Prep is a public four-year charter high school, with 858 students attending.{{cite web|url=http://illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=15016299025006CAF01|title=NOBLE ST CHTR-PRITZKER COLLEGE PREP - School Snapshot|work=illinoisreportcard.com | access-date= May 31, 2015}} Before turning into a charter in 2006, Pritzker was known as the St. Philomena School. Philomena School was closed in 2005, along with 23 other Catholic elementary schools in mostly African American and Latino communities.{{cite web |last1=Brachear |first1=Manya A. |last2=Ramirez |first2=Margaret |title=Catholic School Closings: Latino, black parishes hit hardest by decision |date=February 25, 2005 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/02/25/catholic-school-closings-3/ |access-date=December 26, 2014}}

There are several private PK-K schools located throughout Hermosa as well as a PK-4 grade private religious school, called the Chicago Christian Academy.

File:Kelvyn Park - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg Kelvyn Park is part of the Chicago Park District. It is located at 4438 W. Wrightwood Avenue. At eight and one-half acres, Kelvyn Park is the largest park in the Hermosa community area. The park offers two walking paths, two softball fields, a combination football/soccer field, a basketball court, a volleyball court, two tennis courts, horseshoe courts, plus a playground and spray pool. A large field house located on premises offers a fitness center, gymnasium, auditorium, several meeting rooms, and a small kitchen.{{cite web|last= Chicago Park District |title=Kelvyn Park|url=http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Kelvyn-Park/#dkpchxckiw|work=chicagoparkdistrict.com |access-date=December 26, 2014}}

Hermosa Park is a part of the Chicago Park District. It is located 2240 N. Kilbourn Ave. Hermosa Park is a little over four acres. The Park features two walking paths, one senior and two junior baseball fields, one softball field, a combination football/soccer field, a basketball court, a volleyball court and a playground with spray pool.{{cite web|last= Chicago Park District |title=Hermosa Park|url=http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Hermosa-Park/|work=chicagoparkdistrict.com |access-date=December 26, 2014}}

File:Ken-Well Park - Hermosa - Chicago, IL.jpg

Ken-Well Park is a part of the Chicago Park District. It is located at 2945 N. Kenosha Ave. Ken-Well Park is a small three acre park. The park features a junior baseball field, a softball field, a combination football/soccer field, a basketball court, and a playground with a spray pool. The park's name combines those of the two adjacent streets, Kenosha Avenue and Wellington Street.{{cite web|last= Chicago Park District |title=Ken-Well Park|url=http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/search/?q=ken-well%20park%20chicago|work=chicagoparkdistrict.com |access-date=December 26, 2014}} It borders the Milwaukee District North Line.

Keystone Playlot Park is part of the Chicago Park District. It is located at 1653 N. Keystone Ave. The park, along with the street, are named after Pennsylvania, long known as the "Keystone State."{{cite web|last= Chicago Park District |title=Keystone Playlot Park|url=http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Keystone-Playlot-Park/ |access-date=December 26, 2014}}

The southeasternmost edge of Hermosa is within a quarter mile walking distance of the westernmost edge of the Bloomingdale Trail.

Hermosa receives a high walkability score{{cite web|title= Direction|url=https://www.walkscore.com/score/hermosa-chicago-il|work=walkscore.com |access-date=December 26, 2014}} and is served by several CTA bus routes, the Blue Line and the Milwaukee District / North Line.

• Grand/Cicero (Milwaukee District West Line)
• Healy (Milwaukee District North Line)

• 53 Pulaski
• 54 Cicero
• 56 Milwaukee
• 65 Grand
• 72 North
• 73 Armitage
• 74 Fullerton
• 76 Diversey
• 77 Belmont
• {{cta|Logan Square}} (Blue Line)

{{reflist|colwidth=32em}}

• [http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doit/general/GIS/Chicago_Maps/Community_Areas/CA_HERMOSA.pdf Official City of Chicago Hermosa Community Map]
• Chicago Park District
• [https://archive.today/20070927230225/http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/1ABD5CF0-C972-431C-AA95-75E3E45EF526.cfm/ Hermosa Park]
• [https://archive.today/20070927230200/http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/8B9C4889-10D0-49EF-821A-C8C92056805A.cfm/ Kelvyn Park]

{{Geographic Location

| Center = Hermosa, Chicago

| North = Irving Park, Chicago

| Northeast = Avondale, Chicago

| East = Logan Square, Chicago

| Southeast = West Town, Chicago

| South = Humboldt Park, Chicago

| Southwest = Austin, Chicago

| West = Belmont Cragin, Chicago

| Northwest = Portage Park, Chicago

}}

{{Community areas of Chicago}}

{{Neighborhoods in Chicago}}

{{Chicago}}

Category:Community areas of Chicago

Category:North Side, Chicago

Category:1882 establishments in Illinois