Local Landmarks & Heritage

Dunbar Park
The South Commons townhouse rows
Drake South Commons (former CPS elementary annex)
King Drive

Neighborhood History

South Commons rose in 1966 on Near South Side land cleared under the U.S. Housing Act of 1949, following the earlier Lake Meadows and Prairie Shores urban renewal projects along King Drive. The Chicago Department of Urban Renewal sought proposals for a neighborhood deliberately designed to integrate residents by both race and income, targeting a population roughly 60 percent white and 40 percent black. The first units opened in 1967, and area planners hoped the development would demonstrate that intentional integration could succeed within the city.

Dunbar Park, which today covers nearly half the neighborhood's footprint, anchors South Commons with sports fields, a running track, and green space that has served generations of the community's families. The neighborhood remains a self-contained pocket of low- and high-rise buildings and townhouses bounded by 31st, 26th, Prairie, and Michigan.

For anyone who grew up in one of the era's most talked-about integration experiments, MY-NHD's South Commons tee is a way to carry that history with you.

MY-NHD

South Commons - Chicago - Unisex Cotton Tee

Name: South Commons - Chicago - Unisex Cotton Tee
Brand: MY-NHD
SKU: 11598083274940887614
Price: 29.95 CAD
Availability: InStock

$29.95 CAD

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From the block to your closet—Chicago pride in every stitch.

There’s something special about Chicago neighborhoods—the food, the people, the history. Our Chicago neighborhood t-shirts are designed to reflect all of that and more. Whether you’re from The Loop, Bronzeville, Wicker Park, or Little Village, these tees let you honor where you’re from with comfort and style.

Made with 100% sustainably sourced cotton from the U.S., each shirt is built for lasting wear and all-day comfort. The print is crisp and timeless, the fabric is soft and durable, and the fit is relaxed without looking sloppy. Designed to be gender-inclusive and flattering, this is a staple piece that makes a subtle but powerful statement.

These shirts make the perfect gift for someone who’s left the city but never let it go—or for anyone who wants to keep the spirit of their neighborhood alive every day.