2002-02 RHS Newsletter – FEBRUARY – MARCH, 2002

The Ridge Historical Society recently hosted John Swenson for a well-attended December lecture on "Early Maps on the South Side," marking a successful prelude to the ongoing Pioneer Lecture Series. The series focuses on inspecting the formative pioneer era of the community and city from 1830 to 1870 in depth. Upcoming presentations include a February 10th program by Paul Petraitis detailing the Underground Railroad in southern Cook County, and a March 10th opening of the Pioneer Gallery exhibit focusing on transportation, real estate marketing, and the Ridge's relationship to Chicago. Future lectures will delve into local geology, the evolution of the natural landscape, and Gurdon Hubbard's role in establishing the Vincennes Road.

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A special program titled "Crossroads to Freedom" will take place on February 10th, focusing on the Underground Railroad's historical presence in southern Cook County. The "railroad" relied on a loose confederation of black and white households spanning from Joliet to Morgan Park and Riverdale to Hammond, established to hide and feed escapees along intersecting secret routes like "The Illinois Line" and "The Quaker Line." Paul Petraitis, curator of the RHS Pioneer Exhibit and president of C.U.R.E., will lead the presentation, highlighting how early immigrant pioneers despised slavery and how their acts of civil disobedience laid the groundwork for the modern Civil Rights movement in Chicago. The program will also honor Black History Month by examining new scholarship on the life of Jean Baptiste Pointe deSable.

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A featured photograph in the newsletter showcases the historic Morgan Park "fire hall," constructed by the city of Chicago between January and October 1915, less than a year after the neighborhood's full annexation. The building, which continues to stand at 11033 S. Homewood Ave. and 1869 W. Pryor, was designed by city architect Charles W. Kallal, who was responsible for designing all city buildings except schools from 1908 until his death at age 52. The featured image was reproduced from a vintage postcard generously donated to the Ridge Historical Society by Paul Petraitis.

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The Ridge Historical Society marks the passing of John Gately in December 2001, an individual of considerable historic significance to the community as the owner and proprietor of Gately's Peoples Store. The business was originally purchased by his prominent father, James Gately Sr., in 1917 at 112th and Michigan. Gately's stores primarily served a blue-collar clientele from local mills and factories, offering a unique one-stop shopping experience that included clothing, groceries, and a restaurant, eventually becoming a major neighborhood meeting place. John expanded the business by building a second store in Tinley Park in 1975 before the original Roseland location closed in 1980, and the Tinley Park store eventually shut its doors in 1994, definitively signaling the end of an era in personalized retail.

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In tribute to the legacy of Gately's Peoples Store, various community members contributed their fond personal memories of the historic establishment to the newsletter. Recollections range from the store's vital extension of credit to public employees during the Depression, to beloved features like the famous donut machine, Christmas in July sales, and the pneumatic tube system that efficiently whisked money and sales slips across the floor. Contributors such as Don McGary, Helen Boyle, and Virginia Mackle reminisce about the store's vibrant, unpretentious atmosphere, often comparing its local prestige to the Marshall Field's of the South Side, while painting a vivid picture of the sights, smells, and sounds that made Gately's a beloved community staple for generations.

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A brief notice informs members about the upcoming Beverly Art Center Auction, which is set to take place on Saturday, February 23, 2002, at 2153 West 111th Street. Members and supporters wishing to contribute to the event can easily participate by bringing their donated items for the auction directly to the Ridge Historical Society meeting on February 10th, 2002.

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In her presidential address, Eileen Klees highlights a flurry of new year activities at the Ridge Historical Society, including recent exhibits and presentations that have kept the organization highly active. She issues an urgent call for volunteer assistance across various standing committees, such as Archives, Artifacts, Costumes, and House & Grounds, to help properly maintain the society as a community asset. Klees also extends profound gratitude to specific volunteers like Julie DeHaan and the Morgan Park Woman's Club, and to Dirk and Millie Kitzmiller for generously donating a much-needed modern computer system. Additionally, she announces a strategic change in board meeting dates to the first Wednesday of the month and advertises an attractive rental opportunity in the Driscoll House tenant space in exchange for a modest rent and volunteer hours.

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The Ridge Historical Society announces an upcoming slide lecture titled "Photographing the Bungalow," to be presented by RHS Board Member Mati Maldre on Tuesday, March 19th, at the Beverly Art Center. Maldre, a Professor of Photography at Chicago State University, serves as the official photographer for the Chicago Architectural Foundation's exhibit and accompanying book, "The Chicago Bungalow." During this free event, he will showcase his extensive photographic work and demonstrate the use of a traditional 4×5 view camera. The newsletter also highlights Maldre's talent by featuring one of his photographs depicting a historic 1930 home at 9900 S. Hamilton, originally designed by architect Lyman J. Allison.

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On February 9th, the Ridge Historical Society and the United Methodist Women will co-sponsor a compelling and informative presentation titled "Hidden in Plain Sight: Quilt Patterns as Signals." Speaker Dr. Clarice Boswell will explore the fascinating history of how enslaved individuals ingeniously created and used specific quilt patterns as visual cues to guide runaway brethren journeying to freedom on the Underground Railroad. To visually illustrate her remarks, Dr. Boswell will display 40 intricately pieced quilt tops, effectively blending educational discussion about the daily family lives and artistry of the women who made them with traditional storytelling and spirituals.

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This collection of updates details several positive developments at the Ridge Historical Society, starting with Steve Lewellyn's massive donation of approximately 4,000 glass and film negatives depicting early community portraits and industrial construction, such as the Dan Ryan Expressway. The society's archives were further enriched by historic periodical donations from Walt Kelly and mounted clippings meticulously organized by the Morgan Park Juniors. Additionally, the pre-1840 encyclopedia "Early Chicago" is now available for purchase, with co-author John Swenson heavily praising RHS Curator Paul Petraitis for his extensive research contributions that expanded the book's scope. Other brief operational updates note the upcoming February 10th election of 2002 officers and bylaws ratification, the systematic reorganization of the Morgan Park Academy files, and an intriguing research inquiry from the new owners of 10721 Hoyne regarding rumors that their home was originally built for a Lithuanian Consul complete with formal gardens and a moat.

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