2015-06 RHS Newsletter – Summer 2015

Born out of the Good Roads Movement in the early 20th century, the Dixie Highway was established in 1915 by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher to provide a reliable automobile route from Chicago to Miami. In Illinois, the interconnected system of roads began in downtown Chicago and ran south along Western Avenue, passing directly through the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods, necessitating major grading and paving in the 1920s. Over time, as federal interstate highways like I-57 were developed, the original Dixie Highway lost its national prominence, though portions like Western Avenue remain vital local thoroughfares and the route's legacy is celebrated today through historic road trips and publications.

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Honored at the 2015 Beverly/Morgan Park/Mt. Greenwood Memorial Day Parade, four local WWII veterans recounted their wartime experiences in interviews for the Ridge Historical Society. Norm Lasman survived a devastating kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill; Frederick Pennix served in a segregated Army anti-aircraft unit and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima; Bill Sandstrom joined the Navy's Electronics Training Program but nearly died from a severe scarlet fever outbreak at boot camp; and Jack Lyle flew combat missions as a fighter pilot with the renowned Tuskegee Airmen. Despite their varied paths and the extreme dangers they faced in the deadliest conflict in human history, these veterans share a profound humility, viewing their extraordinary service simply as doing the job they were called to do.

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The origins of root beer trace back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, who brewed root teas using ingredients like sassafras, which were later adapted by European settlers combining them with their tradition of brewing low-alcohol "small beers" as a safe water alternative. The modern, non-alcoholic soda version was popularized in the late 19th century by Charles Hires and saw a massive surge in sales during Prohibition. The beverage has strong ties to Chicago, which was home to the Dad's Root Beer Company—the first to sell the product in a six-pack—and remains an iconic American summer treat, complete with a provided recipe for brewing the traditional syrup at home.

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The Ridge Historical Society's upcoming calendar features two main community fundraising and social events. The Annual Carl Spencer Memorial Bike Race Party is scheduled for Friday, July 17, offering attendees panoramic views of the Beverly Cycling Classic bicycle race from the Graver-Driscoll House terrace, along with a hot dinner and drinks. Later in the year, the RHS Annual Garage & Better Book Sale will take place from September 25 through September 27, with the society accepting donations of gently used items and books starting in August.

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