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University of Illinois security guard Zyad Hasan stands near a police barricade Sept. 9, 1994, where the old Maxwell Street market used to be at Maxwell and Halsted streets in Chicago. Barricades were all that's left of the market, which closed the week prior after 120 years.
Walter Kale, Chicago Tribune
University of Illinois security guard Zyad Hasan stands near a police barricade Sept. 9, 1994, where the old Maxwell Street market used to be at Maxwell and Halsted streets in Chicago. Barricades were all that’s left of the market, which closed the week prior after 120 years.

Remembering Maxwell Street

Chicago Tribune
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In the late 19th century, Jewish immigrants started a produce market on Maxwell Street where it crosses Halsted Street. Over the years, Maxwell Street, shown here circa 1905, grew into a vast Sunday-morning flea market. The market moved east to Canal Street in 1994, when the Maxwell Street area was bought by the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In the late 19th century, Jewish immigrants started a produce market on Maxwell Street where it crosses Halsted Street. Over the years, Maxwell Street, shown here circa 1905, grew into a vast Sunday-morning flea market. The market moved east to Canal Street in 1994, when the Maxwell Street area was bought by the University of Illinois at Chicago.
An undated photo of the Maxwell Street market.
An undated photo of the Maxwell Street market.
Joe Kaplan sells dishes to Mrs. Freida Sawyer at Maxwell and Peoria Streets, circa April 1927.
Joe Kaplan sells dishes to Mrs. Freida Sawyer at Maxwell and Peoria Streets, circa April 1927.
The business carts and stalls were ready for a brisk day of business at springtime on Maxwell Street on March 19, 1926.
The business carts and stalls were ready for a brisk day of business at springtime on Maxwell Street on March 19, 1926.
A springtime crowd shops at Maxwell and Halsted streets in the early 1920s as garment workers picket in the background.
A springtime crowd shops at Maxwell and Halsted streets in the early 1920s as garment workers picket in the background.
King Levinsky, shown in 1931, worked in his family's fish market on Maxwell Street in 1931 even as he was achieving fame as a professional heavyweight boxer.
King Levinsky, shown in 1931, worked in his family’s fish market on Maxwell Street in 1931 even as he was achieving fame as a professional heavyweight boxer.
The Maxwell Street market, looking toward Halsted Street, on Nov. 21, 1935, after city officials forced merchants to clear the sidewalks of their wares. They were still allowed to use the street.
The Maxwell Street market, looking toward Halsted Street, on Nov. 21, 1935, after city officials forced merchants to clear the sidewalks of their wares. They were still allowed to use the street.
While record-breaking throngs were buying luxury gifts in Loop stores in December 1936, Maxwell Street merchants applied their usual tactics to shoppers in their district. Many placed their merchandise on stands, but some heaped their toys on the sidewalk to lure purchasers.
While record-breaking throngs were buying luxury gifts in Loop stores in December 1936, Maxwell Street merchants applied their usual tactics to shoppers in their district. Many placed their merchandise on stands, but some heaped their toys on the sidewalk to lure purchasers.
Sarah Neiman, from left, and George Cohen weigh fish and chat with customers Bertha Bluestein, Sophie Paletz and Olive Greenburg at the Maxwell Street market, circa May 18, 1934
Sarah Neiman, from left, and George Cohen weigh fish and chat with customers Bertha Bluestein, Sophie Paletz and Olive Greenburg at the Maxwell Street market, circa May 18, 1934
A Maxwell Street vegetable merchant in May 1939.
A Maxwell Street vegetable merchant in May 1939.
Soroka Rayfield, 70, grinds horseradish at the Maxwell Street market in 1938. Rayfield had made a living on Maxwell Street for 20 years grinding and selling horseradish. According to the original caption, Rayfield was not worried “about the suggestion that the Maxwell St. market be wiped out. This is his only livelihood and he may be seen any Thursday at the Ghetto market.”
A Maxwell Street vendor tries to entice late Christmas shoppers with ornaments and dolls on Dec. 24, 1944.
A Maxwell Street vendor tries to entice late Christmas shoppers with ornaments and dolls on Dec. 24, 1944.
In June 1944, the Chicago Maternity Center at the corner of Maxwell Street and Newberry Avenue was surrounded by the open-air market.
In June 1944, the Chicago Maternity Center at the corner of Maxwell Street and Newberry Avenue was surrounded by the open-air market.
An undated photo of the Maxwell Street market at the height of its popularity.
An undated photo of the Maxwell Street market at the height of its popularity.
Vera Green, left, and Maria Gutierez, right, ride floats as queens in a parade honoring the 100th anniversary of the Maxwell and Halsted Street business districts on Nov. 25, 1955.
Vera Green, left, and Maria Gutierez, right, ride floats as queens in a parade honoring the 100th anniversary of the Maxwell and Halsted Street business districts on Nov. 25, 1955.
The four-block Maxwell Street, shown here in April 1965, attracted up to 10,000 customers on a Sunday afternoon and was described by a writer as being as “dazzling as a merry-go-round.” When this photo was published in 1965, the open-air market’s future was in doubt.
Maxwell Street had its share of characters, including Margo, who was selling pinwheels at the corner of Maxwell and Halsted streets in August 1963. The original caption said: “This is our world, old but good. We won’t be wanted when the new University of Illinois is built,” said Margo. About six blocks of the market were eliminated because of expressway construction.
Crowds gather at the Maxwell Street market, circa March 24, 1964.
Crowds gather at the Maxwell Street market, circa March 24, 1964.
The scene at 14th Street shows the size of a Sunday crowd at Maxwell Street Market in February 1965.
The scene at 14th Street shows the size of a Sunday crowd at Maxwell Street Market in February 1965.
Just because the sign says bananas are 50 cents for 4 pounds doesn't mean a purchase on the Maxwell Street market will be without its bargaining on Sept. 20, 1966. Editors note: The sign in this print has been partially hand painted.
Just because the sign says bananas are 50 cents for 4 pounds doesn’t mean a purchase on the Maxwell Street market will be without its bargaining on Sept. 20, 1966. Editors note: The sign in this print has been partially hand painted.
Bernard Pinsker stands outside his shop on Maxwell Street, east of Halsted Street, on April 17, 1970.
Bernard Pinsker stands outside his shop on Maxwell Street, east of Halsted Street, on April 17, 1970.
A merchant sells insect spray at the Maxwell Street market on Aug. 3, 1969.
A merchant sells insect spray at the Maxwell Street market on Aug. 3, 1969.
A fishmonger tries to catch the attention of shoppers on a cold Sunday at the Maxwell Street market on Feb. 3, 1974.
A fishmonger tries to catch the attention of shoppers on a cold Sunday at the Maxwell Street market on Feb. 3, 1974.
A typical food stand on Maxwell Street on Sunday, Feb. 3, 1974.
A typical food stand on Maxwell Street on Sunday, Feb. 3, 1974.
Former U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy visits Maxwell Street in March 1972. McCarthy, who ran for president five times, was just one of the many politicians who visited Maxwell Street.
Former U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy visits Maxwell Street in March 1972. McCarthy, who ran for president five times, was just one of the many politicians who visited Maxwell Street.
A seller adjusts a wig on a tempted buyer at the Maxwell Street market on Feb. 3, 1974.
A seller adjusts a wig on a tempted buyer at the Maxwell Street market on Feb. 3, 1974.
Hubcaps, rakes, brooms, shovels and more can be found at Maxwell Street's open-air market on Feb. 3, 1974.
Hubcaps, rakes, brooms, shovels and more can be found at Maxwell Street’s open-air market on Feb. 3, 1974.
A cold and windy Sunday, Feb. 3, 1974, on Maxwell Street didn't hamper bargain hunters.
A cold and windy Sunday, Feb. 3, 1974, on Maxwell Street didn’t hamper bargain hunters.
Joe Caldwell sells string beans for 45 cents a pound, tomatoes for 25 cents and onions for 20 cents from his cart in the Maxwell Street area on Sept. 25, 1975. The produce is “seconds,” but Caldwell says his customers don’t mind. “Poor folks can’t afford to pay more,” he said.
A cold and windy Sunday, Feb. 3, 1974, on Maxwell Street didn't hamper bargain hunters.
A cold and windy Sunday, Feb. 3, 1974, on Maxwell Street didn’t hamper bargain hunters.
A jazz band plays while shoppers mingle on Maxwell Street on March 16, 1975.
A jazz band plays while shoppers mingle on Maxwell Street on March 16, 1975.
According to the Tribune, a “marijuana and hashish enthusiast” sells slightly used drug paraphernalia on Maxwell Street on March 16, 1975.
The once thriving Maxwell Street, reduced by a new freeway and a university expansion, was a ghost of a neighborhood when this photo was taken in January 1982.
The once thriving Maxwell Street, reduced by a new freeway and a university expansion, was a ghost of a neighborhood when this photo was taken in January 1982.
On Maxwell Street, on Sept. 3, 1983, the merchant may change but the style of the hustling and the variety of merchandise remains the same.
On Maxwell Street, on Sept. 3, 1983, the merchant may change but the style of the hustling and the variety of merchandise remains the same.
Radios beckon to shoppers along Maxwell Street on Nov. 30, 1986. “You have to know what you’re looking for,” says a frequent visitor to the area. “That’s the secret down here.”
Maxwell Street watermelon man, Bob Webb, sets up his watermelon stand at Maxwell and Halsted streets on Aug. 10, 1987. Webb said he can sell out in half a day in hot weather, but that sales have been slow lately.
Maxwell Street watermelon man, Bob Webb, sets up his watermelon stand at Maxwell and Halsted streets on Aug. 10, 1987. Webb said he can sell out in half a day in hot weather, but that sales have been slow lately.
Sunday, Oct. 30, 1988, proved to be a typically busy day at the Maxwell Street market. “It’s one of the most fascinating real estate submarkets in the city right now,” said Greg Longhini of the city planning department in 1988. The view is looking north on Peoria Street.
On Maxwell Street on May 15, 1985, you could walk up to a window and order a sandwich, a hamburger, or fried dough stuffed with meat.
On Maxwell Street on May 15, 1985, you could walk up to a window and order a sandwich, a hamburger, or fried dough stuffed with meat.
A woman gives a Sunday morning serenade at Maxwell Street and Newberry Avenue in Chicago, circa October 1990.
A woman gives a Sunday morning serenade at Maxwell Street and Newberry Avenue in Chicago, circa October 1990.
Joseph Steward, 45, sells pillows — and just about anything else — on Maxwell Street on April 25, 1993.
Joseph Steward, 45, sells pillows — and just about anything else — on Maxwell Street on April 25, 1993.
For more than 100 years, Maxwell Street has preserved a bit of Old World culture within sight of the Loop's skyscrapers. Photo printed on Oct. 1, 1993.
For more than 100 years, Maxwell Street has preserved a bit of Old World culture within sight of the Loop’s skyscrapers. Photo printed on Oct. 1, 1993.
University of Illinois security guard Zyad Hasan stands near a police barricade Sept. 9, 1994, where the old Maxwell Street market used to be at Maxwell and Halsted streets in Chicago. Barricades were all that's left of the market, which closed the week prior after 120 years.
University of Illinois security guard Zyad Hasan stands near a police barricade Sept. 9, 1994, where the old Maxwell Street market used to be at Maxwell and Halsted streets in Chicago. Barricades were all that’s left of the market, which closed the week prior after 120 years.

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