Berwyn’s Depot District is a vibrant downtown area along the BNSF Railway on Windsor and Stanley Avenues between Harlem Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue. Surrounded by dense tree-lined blocks of residential gems showcasing over a century’s worth of varied architectural styles, the Depot is a snapshot of the best of Berwyn within just a few blocks: convenient transportation, renowned healthcare, fantastic local restaurants,
shops, child care, beauty salons, and hometown bars. The walkable district offers small-town vibes with views of Willis Tower in the eastern skyline. As a cozy, livable area just outside Chicago, Berwyn’s Depot District continues to be an essential piece of the city’s past, present, and future for families and businesses, alike.

The history of the Depot District can be traced back to the city’s earliest roots.

In 1856, Thomas Baldwin bought nearly 350 acres of land between 31st Street, Harlem Avenue, Ridgeland Avenue, and Ogden Avenue. Baldwin hoped to establish an affluent community named LaVergne and subdivided the land into 10-acre lots. He planted many of the area’s original trees and helped build early roads in an effort to create an idyllic place to live, but there was very little interest at first due to frequent flooding in the area as well as difficulty accessing the village because there were very few routes to get there. In 1862, he sold part of the land to the Burlington and Quincy Railroad, but the train didn’t stop there. In turn, residents built the LaVergne Station in the 1870s.

After Baldwin died in 1876, his daughter inherited the land and sold some to a group of realtors headed by Marshall Field. Homes began popping up and 12 were built by 1880. Just five years later, a map shows the addition of the Harlem Avenue and Berwyn Stations, as well as establishments like a hall, drugstore, and carpenter shop.

By 1888, the installment of the Illinois Central’s tracks north of LaVergne made an avenue for Swedish immigrants to begin settling into the area, particularly on 31st Street between Oak Park Avenue and East Avenue. The group named the area Upsala, or “Swedetown,” and became deeply embedded in the community, building churches and selling baked goods. Shortly thereafter, Charles E. Piper & Wilber J. Andrews, attorneys and real estate partners, bought 106 acres from Field’s land group with a vision of developing a suburb along with CB&Q train tracks near the LaVergene and Upsala communities.

The pair decided on the name Berwyn after consulting a railroad timetable that referenced Berwyn, Pennsylvania — a picturesque town that was the exact type of village Piper and Andrews aimed to establish. Together, Berwyn, Upsala, and LaVergne hummed along, building the area up from swampland.

Berwyn’s first buildings included an office building, a general store, and a post office. What’s now the Depot District began as an early city center in Berwyn, with the train tracks lined with clusters of businesses and homes.

In 1908, Berwyn was incorporated as a city, combining its original developments into one bustling Depot District. The following year, maps show that Berwyn’s population was 4,000. By then, the city had grown to include a fire department with eight volunteers and one full-time member, as well as a two-horse wagon with chemical extinguishers and a new 1,000-foot hose.

Stores along the tracks included a steam laundry and a Chinese laundry, a printing office, drug stores, an office, a bowling alley and Masonic Temple, a post office, a paint shop, and a coal shed. A decade later in 1919, a tennis court, USPO Lodge Hall, auto garage, bank, ice cream factory, bake shop, hardware shop, City Hall, and C.M. Moline’s Coal & Wood Yard had all popped up.

Today, it continues to be a city center filled with small businesses, three train stops, restaurants, and world-class healthcare facilities.

Walking along the Depot District, one of the first things you’ll notice is the vibrant, colorful murals and art installations that decorate the corridor. These pieces are created by artists who are local to the region and add tons of flair and personality that passersby — whether residents or commuters passing through — can enjoy. The art is courtesy of the Berwyn Public Art Initiative, whose projects have brought character, meaning, and beauty to the district’s patios, storefronts, and along the train tracks. Check out Lavergne’s Tavern, Pillars Community Health, and Karasek Park. for inspiring art that’s larger than life.

Art and music appreciators can also stop by The Outta Space, 6840 32nd St., for rotating gallery-style art displays, plus community-oriented performances and a bar.

The Depot is also the gathering place for some of Berwyn’s most beloved festivals, such as the Depot District Mini-Golf Pub Crawl, the City of Berwyn’s Pride Walk, and Oktoberfest. New events, like the Bags, Beer, & BBQ Tournament are always being added to create even more traditions.

With public art, small businesses, community events, and Chicago in the background, the Depot District fosters a friendly neighborhood feel that’s rich in culture.

Just 20 minutes by Metra train from Downtown Chicago, Berwyn’s transportation convenience is unmatched. Our three BNSF Metra mstops — Harlem Ave., Berwyn, and LaVergne — offer three points of pick-up/drop-off for commuters looking to go east into the city with a final destination at Chicago Union Station, or west to suburbs as far as Aurora (including a stop at Brookfield Zoo!).

Whether you’re a daily commuter traveling for work or riding the rails into the city for a day of fun, Berwyn’s Metra stations have parking, updated platforms, and are within walking distance to the Depot’s beloved bars and restaurants.

One of the Depot’s best qualities is its offering of eclectic dining options, whether you’re in the mood for a cafe, classic corner diner, upscale Italian, wood-fired pizza, Latin fusion, or a mouthwatering burger.

Connie’s Family Restaurant, 3271 S. Harlem Ave., has been serving Berwyn from its current location since 1944, and Tastee Corner Cafe, 3207 Oak Park Ave., is a go-to diner for breakfast and lunch. At Lavergne’s Tavern, 6546 Windsor Ave., a restored 1960s bar has been transformed into an upscale neighborhood gastropub with casual, yet elevated, dishes. Locals rave about the Italian Beef Egg Rolls and the restaurant’s signature Cucumber Mojito. Those seeking a beer and a burger can also head to The Garage Smokehouse and Bar, 3202 Grove Ave., which offers American classics with an extensive drink menu. 

If you’re craving authentic Italian, the Depot has a full range of options: Lucano’s Pizza, 6950 Windsor Ave., is great for grab-and-go pizzas (whole or by the slice), salads, and appetizers, Flapjack Brewery, 6833 Stanley Ave., specializes in wood-fired pizzas and small-batch craft beer, and Gaia Ristorante Italiano, 6822 Windsor Ave., is the perfect date night with fresh-made pastas, grilled meats, and handcrafted cocktails.

International flavors mingle at La Malquerida Latin Fusion, 6906 Windsor Ave., a gorgeous restaurant with creative drinks, seafood, steaks, and a fun atmosphere, and MediaNoche Berwyn Cafe, 6836 Windsor Ave., is a must-try for authentic Cuban fare. Head to D’Cache Latin Cafe, 3244-46 Oak Park Ave., for delicious Columbian and Mexican favorites like empanadas — and make sure to try the toasted bread and guava butter starter!

When you’re in the mood for Chinese take-out, N-Joy II Chop Suey, 7140 Windsor Ave., is known for its quick, friendly service and massive egg rolls — or, if you need a place to caffeinate and get work done, The Local Flour Stand Cafe at 6814 Windsor Ave. has all the coffee, Wi-Fi, and fresh-baked goods you could need.

For a night out — be it a hometown bar reunion, night of dancing, seeing live music, or sipping cocktails with your sweetie — the Depot District has some of Berwyn’s best bars and nightlife spots.

The James Joyce Irish Pub, 7138 Windsor Ave., has been a beloved neighborhood bar since 2000 and is home to an annual chili cook-off, while Godson’s, 6910 Windsor Ave., is the perfect spot for an ice-cold brew or nightcap. Or, stop by Windsor Cafe, 6834A Windsor Ave., to belt it out at karaoke or hit a bullseye at the dartboard. At The Outta Space, you could see live music, an open mic night, a drag performance, dancers, and more, while Perception Lounge, 6814 Windsor Ave., is the city’s late-night dancing destination. When you want old-fashioned Berwyn vibes with an electronic jukebox, cold drinks, and beer to-go, George’s Tavern at 6741 Stanley Ave. is a favorite among locals. 

While food and entertainment are two of the corridor’s biggest strengths, the Depot District truly has a little bit of everything. You can access professional services like insurance agents, lawyers, business services, real estate agents, and a mortgage company all within walking distance, plus the Berwyn Police Department, Berwyn Recreation Department, and Youth Crossroads are all easily accessible. Alphabet Learning Center provides child care for area families, and Baila Conmigo Dance With Me Dance Studio offers a place for budding ballerinas to hone their skills.

When you’re in need of a beauty tune-up, Upper Echelon Barber Parlor and Big Tease Hair Salon are two top-rated shops, while Audrey’s Esthetics, Brows By Lucy/BBL Beauty Bar, La Fleur Spa, and Date Nite Beaute are ideal options for refreshing skin, nail, brow, and makeup treatments. Then, look to Windsor Coin Laundry and O’Brien the Cleaner to make sure your favorite outfit is pressed and spotless.

Give your car its own tune-up at Deece Automotive, shop for fresh produce at Familia Fresh Market Berwyn, and have all your custom printing needs perfected at Able Printing Service.

One of the Depot’s earliest community services, healthcare, has blossomed into what today is a world-class destination for whole-body health. Loyola Medicine MacNeal Hospital, 3249 S. Oak Park Ave., is a 374-bed teaching hospital with advanced surgical, medical, and cancer services, as well as a 68-bed behavioral health program. Over the past century, the hospital has grown from “Berwyn Hospital” inside Arthur MacNeal’s house at 33rd St. and Oak Park Ave. in 1919 into a large campus that defines an entire block of the Depot District. Today, it’s also the town’s biggest employer and serves residents and those seeking renowned healthcare, alike.

The hospital is joined by other healthcare facilities like Primary Care Associates and Pillars Community Health, which has provided mental health services in Berwyn since 1928. When you need to work on your smile, Westwyn Dental and Berwyn Dental Connection have you covered, while Balance Body Therapy keeps your spine aligned and standing tall.