The Swillburg Neighborhood

The pigs that gave Swillburg its name are long gone, but this porky identity persists with the special street signs, house number plaques, and many other public areas in the neighborhood sporting the image of the playful pig. Swillburg offers character, culture, convenience, and choice par excellence, to include the array of ethnic restaurants on South Clinton Avenue; the historic, independent Cinema Theater, and the Highland Park and South Wedge Diners. Wonderfully affordable housing styles and choices include small cottage-like dwellings to 2,000 square-foot-plus foursquares and Queen Annes. The active Swillburg Neighborhood Association plans lively annual events such as the Swillfest, and recently commissioned colorful murals along Pembroke Street thattell the tale of Swillburg's colorful past. This history includes being the birthplace of Cab Calloway!  

The neighborhood's unusual name dates back to the 19th Century, when George Goebel ran one of the city's most prominent pig farms and collected garbage for swill for their feed. Eventually the swine made way for German and Irish immigrants and their turn-of-the-century homes that make up most of today's housing stock. 

That most of these historic structures are here today is a testimony to the tenacity and pride of Swillburg residents. In the 1960s, the neighborhood was slated to be divided right down the middle by a proposed extension of the Genesee Expressway. An impassioned fight ensued, with Swillburg neighbors determined to prevent the center of their community from being paved over by four lanes of asphalt. In 1975, they finally won their battle, but not before some 40 houses had been demolished. Part of the cleared land was turned into Otto Henderberg Square, in honor of the longtime resident who spearheaded the successful campaign. Surrounded by front porches and quiet residential streets, this green square is now a lovely spot for a picnic with the kids or for small community gatherings. A dozen new homes filled other cleared lots throughout the neighborhood.

Today, Swillburg neighbors point with pride to their community's high rate of home ownership and the neighborhood's racial, economic and age diversity.  

Click the links below to find Swillburg on a city map and to take some virtual walks around the neighborhood! 

Walk 1: Start at S. Clinton Ave./Caroline Street 14620

Walk 2: Start at 102 Field Street 14620

Walk 3: Start at 60 Sycamore Street 14620