Neighborhood Description First settled by William Sayre in 1836, Montclare was mainly a farming community throughout most of the 19th century. These farmers "used Grand Avenue as their main thoroughfare to the downtown markets in Chicago," a street that is still one of the main roads that cuts through the area. "In 1872 Sayre allowed the Chicago & Pacific Railroad Company right-of-way over his property," and the new railroad access made the community a more desirable place to put down roots. The population of Montclare has slowly, but steadily, increased since then, and recently it has become a melting pot for numerous cultures and ethnicities. Neighborhood Links Neighborhood Council Community Center Chamber of Commerce History of Other Resources in Hospitals Post Office Schools Grocery Stores Cool Places to Eat