McKinley Park is Chicago community area #59, a Southwest Side area named for its 69-acre park, which honors President William McKinley. Irish canal workers settled here in the 1830s, and the Central Manufacturing District later made it an industrial hub along the river’s south fork. About 14,900 people live there.
McKinley Park key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Community area number | #59 of 77 |
| Side of the city | Southwest Side |
| Population | 14,854 (2020–2024 American Community Survey five-year estimate, CMAP Community Data Snapshot, June 2026 release) |
| Neighborhoods within | McKinley Park; historic subareas Mt. Pleasant and Ducktown |
| Main L and Metra stations | CTA Orange Line: 35th/Archer (3528 S. Leavitt St.); Ashland (3011 S. Ashland Ave.) just outside |
| Major parks | McKinley Park (69 acres, pool and ice rink) |
Location and boundaries
McKinley Park lies between Bridgeport, whose western edge is Ashland Avenue, and Brighton Park, whose eastern edge is Western Avenue. New City, which begins at Pershing Road, is to the south.
The south fork of the Chicago River, including the stretch known as Bubbly Creek, runs along the industrial side of the area.
Neighborhoods within McKinley Park
The community area is generally called McKinley Park. Older names include Mt. Pleasant, a triangle formed by Ashland Avenue, Archer Avenue and 35th Street, and Ducktown.
History
- 1836: Irish workers on the Illinois and Michigan Canal settle the area.
- 1857: the Chicago and Alton Railroad arrives.
- 1863: the Union Rolling Mill opens and the area is annexed to Chicago.
- 1871: after the Great Chicago Fire, many factories move here.
- 1905: the Central Manufacturing District begins on about 260 acres along the south fork.
- The park, which replaced the 1855 Brighton trotting track, was named for President McKinley after his assassination.
Landmarks and parks
- McKinley Park, 69 acres, with a swimming pool and ice-skating rink.
- The Central Manufacturing District, where Wrigley once made chewing gum.
- Bubbly Creek, the south fork of the Chicago River.
- The Chicago Sun-Times printing and distribution plant, west of Ashland Avenue.
Getting there
The Orange Line’s 35th/Archer station, at 3528 S. Leavitt St., is in McKinley Park. The Ashland station, at 3011 S. Ashland Ave., sits just outside in the Lower West Side and also serves the area.
Both stations have direct trains to the Loop and to Midway Airport.
Frequently asked questions
What community area number is McKinley Park?
McKinley Park is community area #59.
Who is McKinley Park named after?
President William McKinley; the park was named for him after his assassination.
What L stop is in McKinley Park?
The Orange Line’s 35th/Archer station; Ashland on the same line is just outside the area.
What is Bubbly Creek?
Bubbly Creek is the polluted south fork of the Chicago River that runs past McKinley Park and Bridgeport.
Related guides
- Bridgeport community area guide
- Brighton Park community area guide
- New City community area guide
- Lower West Side community area guide
- CTA Orange Line guide
- All 77 Chicago community areas
Sources
- CMAP Community Data Snapshot: McKinley Park (June 2026)
- Wikipedia: McKinley Park, Chicago
- Wikipedia: 35th/Archer station
- Wikipedia: Ashland station (Orange Line)
Last updated: October 31, 2026