Suburban/Rural Conflicts in Late 19th Century Chicago

This study describes the collision of values and conflict of purpose that arose when the mostly Protestant Anglo-Saxon suburbanites of Rodgers Park came into contact with the German and Luxembourger Catholics of rural West Ridge. A skilled urban historian, Zaltman describes the ensuing conflict in terms of battles over prohibiting taverns (wet vs. dry) —-a key battle between the tavern and alehouse centered rural world of the Germans and the progressive, prohibitionist instincts of the middle class Protestants. Other conflicts over real estate, taxes, zoning and park creation are explicated with understanding (and some humor).