Explore the RHS Facebook Archives, a rich repository of local history written by Carol Flynn. For two decades, Carol brought a deeply dedicated voice to public education at RHS. Her role as Facebook administrator through mid-2025 naturally extended her prolific research into meticulously detailed articles, most notably her multi-part historical series posts. Today, Carol continues her local history writing for The Beverly Review and other outlets.
Original and Colorized Historic Photos
The Ridge Historical Society
Original and colorized historic photos – #1
Colorization by John Dreznes of Beverly Records
The Van Laten family farmed an extensive amount of land in the area including the land the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences is on at 111th to 115th S. Pulaski, plus land in Merrionette Park that included the Jewel strip mall at 115th and Kedzie Avenue, and land at 115th and Western Avenue, where they had their house and poultry farm.
Their farm stand was located at 112th and Western and later 101st and Western. The sign says their farm is at 95th and Kedzie.
The photo is ca. 1932-33.