Andersonville
Banners read, "Valkommen" at Clark and Foster streets. Welcome to Swedish America.
"Between 1890 and 1930, Swedish was the most common language and pickled herring was a popular dish in Andersonville."
Between 1890 and 1930, Swedish was the most common language and pickled herring was a popular dish in Andersonville. But after the Depression, the community suffered from neglect.
In the early 1960s, Swedish Americans helped revitalize the neighborhood their immigrant parents founded.
It was officially rededicated in 1964. That's when the Saturday-morning bell-ringer tradition began, symbolizing rebirth. Each Saturday between 10:30 and 11 a.m., a member of the community begins a walk, with a brass bell in hand. He or she is often followed by a procession of Swedes in folk costumes, so don't be surprised if you happen to run into a Viking on Clark Street.
"... don't be surprised if you happen to run into a Viking on Clark Street."The Swedish American Museum, at 5211 N. Clark Street, is a good place to get information on Andersonville and a great place to buy gifts. The best-selling items in the museum store are the Dala horses. These colorful, wooden toys are Swedish good-luck symbols.
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