Little Village Arch receives landmark status from Chicago council

CHICAGO - The Chicago City Council voted Wednesday to give landmark status to an arch that serves as the entry to the largest Mexican-American community in the Midwest.

The Little Village Arch welcomes visitors to 26th Street and is considered a symbol of the community.

Designed by Mexican-born architect Adrián Lozano, the arch was built in 1990 and was inspired by Colonial-era gateways built at Mexican religious sites, haciendas and walled towns.

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The arch features a pair of dome-capped stucco towers with sidewalk passageways, a tile roof, a mechanical clock and a metal banner that reads, "Bienvenidos A Little Village."

According to a report from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, the arch may be the only one of its type north of the Rio Grande River.

It's estimated that 77% of the Little Village population is of Mexican descent, according to the city.

The landmark designation will protect the arch from any significant alteration or demolition.