In one of the most segregated cities in the United States, Maxwell Street was a rare meeting ground where diversity was valued and, out of this, great accomplishments occurred.
The cadences and tonalities of this music later evolved into rock and roll. In short, the musical development that was centered around the Maxwell Street area forms the cornerstone of one of the most important musical and cultural developments in American society in our generation. - Howard Stovall, Executive Director of The Blues Foundation
The Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition wants the remaining blocks along South Halsted Street and along Maxwell Street to be preserved and fixed up for a historic district to especially honor Chicago Jewish history, The Great Migration from the Mississippi Delta, Mexican immigrant history, immigrant enterprise, and the Blues heritage of Chicago. The legacy of Maxwell Street does not belong to the University of Illinois. It is a public good for all the world. This is our history. Don't let it be destroyed.
Please send a message of concern saying you want a Maxwell Street Historic Preservation District incorporated into the University of Illinois's plans for commercial development of the Maxwell Street area. Send your message to: President James Stukel, University of Illinois, 1737 W. Polk, Suite 414 AOB, Chicago, IL 60612; Email: <jstukel@uillinois.edu>; Phone: 312-413-9097; Fax: 312-413-8301
Send us a copy of your Stukel message so we may post it on our web site. -- Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition c/o Professor Steve Balkin, Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605, USA; Email: <mar@openair.org>; Phone: 312-341-3696; FAX: 312-341-3680; Homepage <http://www.openair.org/maxwell/preserve.html>.
Some quotes: Maxwell Street symbolizes the pilgrimage to freedom and opportunity. For blues lovers, Maxwell Street is a Mecca as the birthplace of Chicago blues, and the home of its legendary masters. - Jim Herbert <jherbert@ari.net> McLean, VA
A Maxwell Street Preservation District will be a wellspring of cultural expression, a rich tourist attraction and a source of educational and research opportunity. - Congressman Danny K. Davis, 7th Congressional District, <fax# 773-533-7530> Chicago
The Maxwell Street area has entered the status of legend in the history of American Jewish life and must be preserved in as much historic detail as is possible. - Abraham Peck, American Jewish Archives <abraham.peck@uc.edu> Cincinnati
We the Maxwell Community are trying to educate our children and at the same time preserving our heritage and community history. - Gerardo Reyes, St. Francis of Assisi Church <Fax# 773-376-6419> Chicago