Uptown: Portrait of a Chicago Neighborhood in the mid-1970s

by Robert Rehak

This book of striking black and white photographs forms a fascinating time capsule. The photos, taken during the mid 1970s, depict life in the aging North Side Chicago neighborhood called Uptown. More than 250 evocative photographs comprise a portrait of this neighborhood in transition. The author's photos allow the reader to experience the conflicts and ironies of life in one of Chicago's poorest, most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods. As the author notes in his introduction: From the L, I caught glimpses of streets littered with garbage, broken pavement, flop houses, winos sleeping on sidewalks, stripped and abandoned cars, buildings covered with gang graffiti, plus day labor agencies, taverns, pawn shops, and resale stores stretching to infinity. But after the author overcame his initial fears, he also discovered many incredibly strong, kind, welcoming and open people, struggling to eke out a living and raise families in difficult circumstances. He fell in love with photographing the people of Uptown and spent virtually all of his free time there from late 1973 to early 1977. His text also describes a perfect storm of converging economic, political and social forces that stalemated the redevelopment of this great urban melting pot thus turning it into a cauldron of conflict.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of photographs that display both the sensitivity of the photographer and the humanity of the people that were photographed in the strange place that was Chicago's Uptown in the 1970s. My only qualm was that the photographs did not seem to have any organization; there seemed to be several clear themes that could have been developed in series, but those sorts of things (like photographs of damaged parking meters and other signs of anger against authority) seemed to be spread out throughout the book.

In any event, I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys city photography or is interested in Chicago, especially those who live in or love Uptown itself.

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rehak's photography captures the beauty and people of Uptown Chicago in the 1970s even as it shows the economic disparity. A valuable record of a Chicago neighborhood and the many people who lifed there.

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning portraits of folks who lived in Uptown at a time when it was one of the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods in Chicago. The juxtaposition of that poverty with the glorious old 1920s buildings is fascinating. Author provides great context & history, too.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[The · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos.