Due west of Chicago's downtown, Austin sits along the city's border with Oak Park and shares features in common with that celebrated suburb. One primary difference: Austin got annexed (against its wishes) to Chicago in the late 1800s, and Oak Park did not. Although more than a hundred years later, Austin retains elegant architecture from the Victorian era as well as many gracious structures from the early 20th Century, areas in the neighborhood have since fallen into economic decline. The historic district close to Oak Park, though, seems on the rebound, and if Austin becomes more prosperous, it could again become a choice Chicago residential area. Columbus Park in the southwest corner of Austin offers lovely foliage and architecture, as well as many facilities.
< Clockwise, from the upper left: The Austin "Town Hall" recreational center; a tudor-style structure in Columbus Park; an elegant neighborhood church; the Columbus Park refectory building.
