In late 1868 , the Chicago Board of Public Works announced the desire to build a park " lying west of Milwaukee avenue and south of North avenue . The grounds are of considerable capacity and are laid out in a tasteful and attractive manner as a park . " Present at the meeting was alderman Charles Wicker , who , with his brother Joel , purchased of land along Milwaukee Avenue in 1870 and laid out a subdivision with a mix of lot sizes surrounding a park . The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 spurred the first wave of development , as homeless Chicagoans looked to build new houses
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Wicker Park, Chicago