A Century of Urban Life: The Norwegians in Chicago Before 1930 [Hardcover]

Odd S. Lovoll (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; First Edition edition (July 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877320756
• ISBN-13: 978-0877320753
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,418,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Norwegian History in Chicago/Geneology, October 23, 2000

By 

Lisa Isaksen Mansfield (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Century of Urban Life: The Norwegians in Chicago Before 1930 (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent resource especially if you had Norwegian relatives in Chicago during this time. The book covers information about different Norwegian neighborhoods, including maps, pictures, and information about churches, and social clubs. I used this book to research more about my geneology. Very interesting historical information.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Norway on the Prairie, April 18, 2008

By 

Borowy26 "Hank" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Century of Urban Life: The Norwegians in Chicago Before 1930 (Hardcover)

This is a useful study guide for one of Chicago's most important and least studied ethnic groups. Although Norwegian immigrants are the intended study group, since the Danes and the Swedes tended to reside in close proximity to other Scandinavians in Chicago, the author relates their stories as well as those of the Norwegians.

By way of explanation and to be accurate, over the centuries, all of three countries were united at various times, and Sweden and Norway were a single kingdom until 1905. After obtaining independence from Sweden in a peaceable manner, a Danish prince was chosen to become the king of the newly established kingdom of Norway. With these facts in mind, any the overlap in the text is understandable and unavoidable.

Some of the Chicago neighborhoods that once had substantial Norwegian and Scandinavian populations included Wicker Park and Humboldt Park, as well as suburbs such as Oak Park. Apart from some impressive residences, public monuments such as the Leif Ericson statue in Humboldt Park or the Norwegian American Hospital, which is immediately South of the same park, there are few reminders of the Norwegians to be found in contemporary Chicago.

The decision to terminate the study in 1930 was not entirely arbitrary. As the author observed, succeeding generations of Norwegians moved away from the city and into the outlying neighborhoods and suburbs after attaining a degree of prosperity. Their children largely assimilated into the American middle class and became less and less distinguishable as ethnics. The Swedes on the other hand managed to maintain a higher profile as a distinctive ethnic group for a longer period of time and their churches, clubs and fraternal organizations continued to promote their traditions and customs to a greater degree.

Professor Lovoll served on the faculty of St. Olaf's College in Northfield, Minnesota, when this book was published. Within Minnesota, the Norwegians have maintained a much stronger sense of community than was the case in Chicago. The text is well illustrated with period photographs.