Beverly (Chicago, Illinois)

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Beverly (or Beverly Hills) is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. It is located on the South Side on the southwestern edge of the city. Beverly Hills was built by English engineers as an exclusive streetcar suburb and the homes and large lots reflect this historic distinction. Beverly is located on the highest elevation in the City of Chicago.

Beverly has quick access (by public transport or car) to all of the Chicago financial markets, shopping, airports, and attractions, yet retains itself as a peaceful and quiet wooded community. Beverly is one of the top five largest historic districts in any major city in the USA. The particular trains that are accessed by the Beverly community are provided from Metra's Rock Island line.

Beverly is the only area in the City of Chicago with a terrain containing hills. Prior to settlement, it was known as Blue Island, a name now used by a suburb a few miles to the south. The blue color has been variously attributed to atmospheric scattering or to blue flowers growing on the ridge.

The neighborhood's roots are largely English and Protestant but is now home to a large Irish-American/Catholic community and many Irish establishments. The area was home of the South Side Irish Parade, which was held on the Sunday prior to St. Patrick's Day, the largest neighborhood parade of any type in the country. The neighborhood currently is home to more Irish-style pubs than any other in Chicago. The Beverly Arts Center is the location for the Chicago Irish Film Festival. There is a replica of a castle from Ireland, which was constructed in the late 19th century when an American businessman, Robert Givens, was trying to convince his Irish fiancee to move to the United States, and so had a duplicate of her family castle built with stone from the same quarry. The Givens Castle at 10244 S. Longwood Drive, has been a home, an all-girls college, and is now a Unitarian church and pre-school.