Life in the Obamas' Hyde Park Neighborhood
On the South Side of Chicago, the ethnically-diverse Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods boasts some of the city's oldest mansions and majestic brownstone apartments. The Kenwood neighborhood contains some of the largest homes in the city. And according to local historians, Kenwood was once one of the most elite neighborhoods in all of Chicago. The Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods today also showcase some new high-rise condominium developments, trendy restaurants, taverns, hip coffee houses and unique bookstores.
The South Side neighborhoods are also the stomping grounds for the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry (a favorite play place for my brother and me when we were just kids). Some of the best blues clubs can also be found on this end of the city. I guess that's why it's no surprise the Obamas have called the area home for so long. Hyde Park is where Michelle and Barack Obama shared their first kiss — outside the Baskin Robbins on 53rd and Dorchester, which is now a vacant unit in a strip mall.
Take a tour of Obama's Hyde Park Neighborhood with Google Street View:
Security clearance
The Obamas' Colonial-style home is situated on a double lot and is located near the corner of 51st Street (Hyde Park Boulevard) and Greenwood Avenue (on the Kenwood side). But since Barack bumped up his status from senator to president-elect, the days of strolling past the family's home is long gone. Curious onlookers are quickly chased away by a phalanx of Chicago police officers and secret service agents.
Today, the Obamas' home is guarded by protective fencing and concrete barriers to keep the family secure, according to the Chicago Tribune. Parking is prohibited, and no thru traffic signs on Hyde Park Boulevard — a local thoroughfare running right in front of the Obamas' home — has since been posted. Even CTA Buses have been diverted to nearby side streets. The dozens of neighborhood residents that live nearby are subject to multiple ID checks, questioning and fingerprint registration. Even members of a nearby church have been registered by the FBI.
Chicago Police vehicles are also subject to close inspection by the secret service. Each car's engine and chassis must be carefully inspected for any security breach.
Celebrity status
Neighborhood businesses have definitely felt the impact of Barack's newly garnered celebrity status. Valois Restaurant at 1518 E. 53rd Street, has been a long time favorite dining spot for the president-elect. He'd often stop in for lunch whenever he was back in town from Washington. Today of course, he can't drop by without fanfare, and chooses to order carryout instead. But the owners can still count on the steady stream of reporters who stop by looking for an Obama tidbit or two to share with their readers. The morning after the presidential election, Valois treated some 2,000 neighborhood residents and visitors to a free breakfast.
My visit to the neighborhood included parking my car near the corner of Greenwood Avenue and 52nd Street, exactly one block south of the Obamas' residence. The neighborhood looked like any normal community. There were kids frolicking in a playlot and some college students hanging outside their brownstone apartments. But as I got closer to the home, I was quickly shooed away by both Chicago Police officers and one onerous FBI agent (both heavily armed, I might add)!
Most from the Kenwood and Hyde Park neighborhoods consider living in such close proximity to their now-famous neighbor a real honor — but not without considerable inconvenience!
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