Originally settled in 1799 as part of Newburgh Township , the Slavic Village neighborhood evolved from a rural settlement into a dense industrial hub during the late 19th century as steel mills and the Ohio and Erie Canal drew thousands of immigrant workers . The area became a famous "ethnic enclave," primarily split between the Polish district of Warszawa (centered around the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus ) and the Czech district of Karlin . While the neighborhood flourished as a retail and cultural center through the 1920s, it faced significant deindustrialization and suburban flight after World War II, eventually gaining national attention in 2007 as the "epicenter" of the American foreclosure crisis . Today, the community is defined by its r esilience and revitalization efforts , blending its deep Eastern European roots with new green spaces, public art, and a diverse population.