History in Englewood

John Daley moved from Ireland to Chicago and found a job working on the construction of the elevated train lines being developed for the Columbian Exposition, among other things.  The young iron worker decided that the Woodlawn neighborhood needed a dining establishment to feed his fellow workers, so in 1892 he opened Daley's Restaurant at 803 East 63rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood.  In 1918, he sold the business to two young Greek immigrants, Tom Kyros and Paul Emmanuel (which explains why the sign outside the restaurant says "since 1918").  Tom worked as a waiter and Paul as the cook, and together they operated the restaurant until 1932 when they demolished the building, intending to construct a bigger, better Daley's Restaurant.  Unfortunately, their bank failed in the middle of the construction, leaving nothing but a big hole in the ground.  By 1937, Tom and Paul had accumulated enough money from other jobs to complete the long-stalled project, and the eatery returned as the "New Daley's Restaurant."  The business remained in the family even after Tom and Paul retired, and the restaurant went through a series of expansions in the 1960's that returned it to its original size.  Today, it's the oldest restaurant in Chicago.

Trivia buffs will be happy to know that Muhammad Ali frequently ate here between training sessions at any one of many local gyms.

Archibald Motley Jr. was an African-American painter who devoted his career to primarily African-American subject matter.  A graduate of Englewood High School, Motley studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and contributed heavily to the Harlem Renaissance.  For most of his life, Motley lived and painted in his family home at 350 West 60th Street.  His best known works are "Bronzeville At Night," "Stomp," and "The Octroon Girl."

Bernard Jeffrey McCullough (better known as comedian Bernie Mac) was born in Chicago on October 5, 1957, and lived at the corner of 66th and Blackstone Avenue until the City condemned the building and tore it down.  Then his family moved to 936 West 69th Street, directly upstairs from the Burning Bush Baptist Church, where his grandfather was the deacon.  Bernie won two Emmy Awards for his lead role in the eponymous "Bernie Mac Show," and he starred in a number of films, including the remake of "Ocean's Eleven" and "Mr. 3000."  He died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on August 9, 2008, from complications due to pneumonia.

Englewood High School was established in 1873 at 6201 South Stewart Avenue.  In 2008, the final class of 151 students graduated.  As part of the 2010 Chicago Public School's renaissance program, the school closed and reopened as two schools: Urban Prep Charter Academy for young men and Team Englewood.  The most notable alumnus of Englewood High School is Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, who was a professional football player from 1906 to 1908, a referee, and a sports editor at the Philadelphia Public Ledger.  Maxwell played football and participated in track and field at Englewood and played football at the University of Chicago.  He is also the namesake of the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the college player of the year as voted by NCAA head football coaches, Maxwell Football Club members, and sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.  Painter Archhibald Motley Jr. also attended Englewood.