Unearthing Ashburn: The History of a Southwest Chicago Gem

Indigenous people lived on this land for centuries, making use of its natural resources. By the 19th century, settlers arrived, drawn by the promise of open land and a new start. The area’s name, though, didn’t come from its natural beauty or its geography. It came from ashes—literal ashes. Back in the days of steam trains, a Grand Trunk Railway fueling station left behind piles of burnt coal residue. 

While the rest of the city was busy naming neighborhoods after saints or landmarks, Ashburn got its name from soot. Not the most glamorous origin story, but hey, this is Chicago—we make something out of what we’ve got.

Ashburn isn’t the kind of neighborhood that gets a lot of flashy attention. Tucked away on the Southwest Side of Chicago, it’s a quiet, hardworking kind of place—one of those neighborhoods where people plant their roots, raise families, and live their lives just out of the city’s spotlight. But beneath its unassuming surface lies a history as rich and layered as the city itself.Long before Ashburn became a neighborhood, it was a stretch of prairie and marshland—hardly the kind of place anyone would imagine building a community.It wasn’t long before the railway became the beating heart of Ashburn’s early growth. The Grand Trunk line transformed the area from a sleepy rural stop into a key cog in Chicago’s industrial machine. Coal, goods, and workers moved through the area, and slowly, Ashburn began to grow. It wasn’t flashy, but it was functional—blue-collar, no-nonsense, and steadily building toward its future. The trains brought opportunity, and opportunity brought people.

The real transformation came after World War II, when Chicago, like much of the country, experienced a housing boom. Returning veterans and their families were looking for a slice of suburban life, and Ashburn was ready for them. Developers built rows of sturdy brick bungalows—classic Chicago-style homes that offered just enough space for a growing family. Ashburn became a magnet for middle-class families chasing the American Dream, complete with backyards, block parties, and plenty of places to park. It was a classic postwar neighborhood, a little quieter than the city’s bustling core but still very much a part of Chicago’s fabric.

Of course, no Chicago neighborhood stays the same forever. By the 1960s and ’70s, Ashburn, like much of the Southwest Side, was experiencing demographic shifts. As African American families moved into the neighborhood, some white families moved out—a pattern repeated across the city during this period. But Ashburn held on, adapting to its changing population and carving out a place as one of Chicago’s most diverse communities. It wasn’t always easy. The Civil Rights Movement and the struggles for integration were deeply felt here, but the neighborhood persisted, slowly building a new sense of identity that reflected its evolving residents.

Through it all, the institutions that define Ashburn—its schools, churches, parks, and local businesses—have anchored the community. Places like Scottsdale Park and the Scottsdale Shopping Center became gathering spots, offering everything from Little League games to weekend shopping trips. Churches, too, played a vital role, providing not just places of worship but spaces for connection and support. These institutions helped Ashburn weather its challenges and celebrate its triumphs, reminding residents that community is about more than just geography.

Today, Ashburn is a neighborhood that wears its history proudly while embracing the present. It’s a place where you can find a little bit of everything—a tamale stand run by a family that’s been in the area for decades, a park full of kids playing soccer, a community meeting discussing the future of local schools. The expansion of Midway Airport has brought both change and opportunity, as new businesses and developments reshape the area. Yet, despite these shifts, Ashburn remains grounded in its working-class roots.

So what does Ashburn teach us? That neighborhoods aren’t static—they grow, adapt, and reflect the people who call them home. Ashburn is also home to thriving small businesses like Nancy’s Home Care, you can learn more about them here.

The next time you find yourself on the Southwest Side, take a moment to explore Ashburn. Walk its quiet streets, visit its parks, and talk to its people. You’ll find a neighborhood that’s not just surviving but thriving—a place where history and community come together in a way that feels uniquely, unmistakably Chicago.