Swedish Chicago

By Paul Michael Peterson

Book Overview

Tour Chicago's Swedish heritage, from the great waves of migration to the present day, through vintage photographs in Swedish Chicago.

At the turn of the 20th century, Chicago was home to the largest Swedish population of any city in the world outside of Stockholm.

In the 1920s, Sweden experienced an economic depression and population growth that sparked another rush of Swedish immigration to America and Chicago, where they settled in large numbers in Andersonville and North Park. Chicago has been home to many famous and influential Swedes, including writers Carl Sandburg and Nelson Algren, and builder and developer Andrew Lanquist, who gave us both Wrigley Fieldand the Wrigley Building.

Paul Michael Peterson is an English teacher and lifelong Chicago resident whose grandparents emigrated from Sweden. He continues to celebrate the yearly traditions that his Swedish heritage has given him, including making glogg at Christmas.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738531863
• ISBN13: 9780738531861
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Visual Scandinavian Banquet for the Senses!

I've long admired Arcadia's "Images of America" series. Despite that the entire book is printed in black and white and there are no color photos, this 128-page coffee table book is a must-have for anyone interested in the history and ephemera associated with Swedish immigration to Chicago at the beginning of the 20th century. Peterson's photographs and images are stunningly crisp and his prose sings as he introduces the chapter openers and informs the reader with the detailed photo captions. The book is not cumulative in the history it presents, but with 128 pages, you get more than your money's worth in this ethnic gem.