2002-12 RHS Newsletter – December 2002-January 2003

This year-in-review highlights the Ridge Historical Society's successful efforts to increase community engagement and expand its programming throughout 2002. Key accomplishments include the "In The Cool Of The Evening" lecture series, genealogical research assistance, the Chicago Bungalow exhibit, and landscaping transformations by volunteers. The article also emphasizes new initiatives, such as creating a pioneer landscape map and a database of local houses, alongside successful outreach to alumni groups for high school reunions, solidifying RHS as a vital community resource.

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Editor David Daruszka issues a formal apology to the family of John Baily regarding a typographical error in the memorial article of the previous newsletter. He clarifies that the original author, Harold Wolff, spelled the name correctly in his manuscript, but an error occurred during the digital transcription process. Daruszka extends his sincerest regrets for the mistake.

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This memorial article celebrates the life of Art Schueneman, the longtime proprietor of Belmont Foods on 107th Street, who passed away on October 17. Schueneman is fondly remembered as a true gentleman and a cornerstone of the community who provided top-tier customer service, aged prime beef, and preservative-free deli items. Alongside his first wife Esther, he was known for his quiet philanthropy, often sending food to bereaved families or donating to local causes, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and quality in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood.

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This small sidebar note clarifies a historical misnomer regarding the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Despite its ambitious name, the railroad's tracks never actually reached the west coast directly. The term "the Pacific" was tacked onto its name merely as a gesture of grandeur, intended to attract investors by suggesting a broader reach than the company actually possessed.

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The Ridge Historical Society reminds its patrons that member attendance, volunteer participation, and financial dues are essential to the organization's survival. For the 2003 renewal cycle, members are specifically asked to provide their email addresses to help RHS expand its use of technology and prepare a comprehensive membership directory. Members are encouraged to renew before the March 1, 2003 deadline to ensure their inclusion in the upcoming publication.

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In a unique collaborative effort, the Ridge Historical Society and family-owned Mt. Greenwood Cemetery hosted an engaging fall program that brought local history to life. The event featured a self-guided walking tour where costumed docents highlighted the graves of prominent local figures, pioneers, and veterans, complete with hot cider and hidden gift certificates from local businesses. The successful weekend concluded with a stunning slide presentation in the cemetery's stone chapel, and a self-guided tour booklet remains available for purchase to benefit RHS.

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On October 10, a vibrant community celebration marked the rededication of the newly renovated 111th Street Metra station, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Rock Island main line's first trip. The day-long event featured live folk music, speeches from politicians and Metra officials, historical displays curated by RHS, and complimentary food for commuters. Planned by an enthusiastic committee of local volunteers and sponsored by numerous neighborhood businesses, the celebration successfully highlighted the historical and ongoing relationship between Morgan Park and the railroad.

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This short historical excerpt, sourced from A.T. Andreas's "A History of Cook County," details the first wedding to take place in the area then known as Washington Heights. The ceremony was celebrated in 1845 between Jerusha Wilcox and Frank Jackson of Hyde Park. Tragically, the marriage was cut short when the bride died just six weeks after the ceremony on May 22, 1845.

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This brief sidebar article notes the historical milestone of the final meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Morgan Park, which took place on April 22, 1914. The meeting occurred the day after the village was officially annexed by the City of Chicago, concluding a long and contentious battle among citizens regarding the annexation. The piece notes that a previous annexation vote in 1911 had been overturned by the courts, and names Fred L. Kimmey as the last Village President.

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This calendar section outlines upcoming events and meetings hosted by or affiliated with the Ridge Historical Society during December 2002 and January 2003. The highlight is a public program titled "Railroads and the Ridge" on December 8, featuring an audio-visual presentation on local railroad history, living history enactors, and toy train displays. The calendar also lists private events like a DAR Luncheon and BAPA Christmas Party, alongside RHS Board of Directors meetings and a Local School Principals Meeting.

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