2004-12 RHS Newsletter – December 2004 – January 2005

Between 1903 and 1910, concrete block homes became a popular, inexpensive, and durable alternative to frame houses in the Beverly and Morgan Park areas. Utilizing machines patented by Harmon S. Palmer, local contractors like P.D. Diamond capitalized on the trend, building numerous structures, especially the American Foursquare style, that imitated natural stone. Although the trend faded as new technologies emerged, many of these robust, rusticated homes still stand today as a testament to early 20th-century innovation and are eligible for historic landmark status.

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Reprinted from The Weekly Review dated June 18, 1937, this historical snippet recounts the homecoming of Will Morgan, a working motion picture actor from Hollywood, California. He was visiting his mother, Mrs. Leelo Ashley Dare, who resided on Prospect Avenue. The piece highlights Morgan's recent roles in several contemporary films, including "The Louisiana Purchase" and "Craig's Wife," acting alongside notable stars of the era like Ralph Bellamy and Reginald Denny.

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This section features several letters submitted by readers of the newsletter. Bill Sandstrom writes about local Moderne and Art Deco architecture, offering a connection to the Chicago Art Deco Society. Richard T. Sikes shares an anecdote about driving a cab in 1955 and picking up a member of the Goes Printing Company. Other letters from former residents like Chuck Oldenburg, Joyce Parenti Franklin, and Bill Meisel reflect on past community events, local building contractors like Guy Osgood Bradley, and the value of documenting family and neighborhood history.

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Submitted by Recording Secretary Carol Flynn, this report outlines the actions and discussions from the October 13, 2004, board meeting presided over by Mary Quinn Olsson. Key actions included approving funds for volunteer services, directing the Historic Buildings Committee to investigate a plaque program, and clarifying the relationship with former registrar H. Wolff. The report also notes the society's stable financial status, the success of a recent garage/book sale, updates on grant funding for the "Small Wonder" exhibit and the Saly workshops, and the welcoming of new board member Edris Hoover.

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This brief historical clipping from The Weekly Review dated December 17, 1926, details a winter accident involving 16-year-old Miss Ruth Weddon. While coasting down the Lothair Avenue hill in Morgan Park, Weddon attempted to dodge another sled, resulting in a crash into the curb. She was thrown onto the sidewalk, striking her head and sustaining severe bruising, though she was ultimately reported to be in good health despite initial fears of internal injuries.

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Sourced from The Weekly Review on June 18, 1937, this somber article recounts the death of four-year-old John McGeogh. The child ran into the engine of a southbound suburban train on a Monday morning and was fatally injured, subsequently dying at Roseland Community Hospital. Despite warnings from his older brother, the young boy failed to stop, and the train engineer remained unaware of the accident until the train halted at the Morgan Park station.

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Written by Lucia Rausch, who attended the event as an 8th grader, this article paints a vivid picture of the first mass celebrated at St. Barnabas Church on December 24, 1924. It describes the pre-dawn journey of around 300 Catholic families traveling by foot and early automobiles through the snow to the new parish. The narrative details the awe of the parishioners entering the clean but still unfinished building, the festive atmosphere with poinsettias and a wooden crib, the sounds of the choir, and the collection of coins in a mahogany box, capturing a foundational moment in the Beverly Catholic community's history.

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This short piece, reprinted from The Ridge Record dated April 10, 1908, tells an amusing story of mistaken identity involving local law enforcement. Officer Stratton, on high alert due to a recent string of chicken thefts, stopped a man carrying a suspicious-looking bag early one morning. Expecting to find stolen poultry, the officer was astonished to discover that the heavy, plump objects inside the bag were not stolen chickens, but rather carved wooden decoy ducks.

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Extracted from The Beverly Review on March 12, 1937, this brief announcement details the travel plans of Mrs. D. Edwin Gamble and her daughter. The article states Mrs. Gamble's intention to travel from Lakehurst, N.J., to Germany aboard the famous Zeppelin, the Hindenburg, for a European vacation. A poignant "Editor's Note" is appended beneath the original text, grimly reminding the reader that the Hindenburg famously crashed and burned upon arrival in Lakehurst shortly after, on May 6, 1937.

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Under the "News Briefs" section, the Ridge Historical Society announces a new monthly "movie night" initiative held on Friday evenings. Attendees are invited to view films or historical programs projected onto a Smartboard in the Driscoll House's large front room. The event is free, though donations are encouraged to cover internet costs, and complimentary snacks like popcorn and cider are provided. Guests are advised to bring their own seating and adult beverages, with the success of an experimental screening of "The Uninvited" paving the way for this ongoing community event.

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Following a highly successful inaugural run that tripled museum visitation, the Ridge Historical Society announces the return of the "Small Wonder" exhibit for the holiday season. Running from November 28, 2004, through January 16, 2005, the free exhibit showcases exquisite dollhouses, miniature toys, and WWII models. Highlights include educational architectural tie-ins, a program by Carol Flynn on Victorian interior design in miniature, a gingerbread house workshop, a presentation by miniature expert Hank Kupjack, Jr., and a coloring contest featuring Jack Simmerling's art. The event was made possible through a grant from Lori and Ed McGunn.

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Reprinted from The Weekly Review on November 19, 1926, this historical crime brief details a robbery at the Peterson DeLuxe Service station at 103rd and Western Avenue. Three armed men locked the proprietor in the lavatory and stole cash and checks before fleeing in a Hudson automobile. However, their escape was short-lived; detectives soon found the getaway car wrecked at 74th Street. While two suspects escaped, one man matching the description was apprehended in the damaged vehicle, along with part of the stolen loot.

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This very brief announcement in the "News Briefs" section welcomes Peg Mackle Kapustiak as the newest member of the Ridge Historical Society Board of Directors. The notice highlights her deep local roots by mentioning that she is the granddaughter of the late Dewitt "Dewey" Lane, who was a founding member of the RHS.

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This brief public health notice from The Weekly Review, dated June 26, 1915, reports on the spread of contagious diseases among neighborhood children. It specifically names the Seward and Butcher children of 101st Place, as well as the youngest son of Mr. Fred Graham on Wood Street, as suffering from measles. Additionally, it notes that the Griswold baby and the Henderson children are ill with whooping cough, reflecting early 20th-century practices of publicly naming individuals in local health updates.

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Authored by Linda Lamberty, this article reviews the first event of the 2004 Dorothy Ann Saly Teacher Enrichment workshops. Presenter Lisa Oppenheim of the Chicago Metro History Education Center successfully transformed RHS "raw history" materials—such as maps, documents, and photos—into actionable educational tools for the eleven attending teachers. The event utilized the society's new SMARTBOARD, funded by the late Dorothy Ann Saly, and featured contributions from several local historians. The author expresses deep gratitude for the funding that made this educational outreach possible and thanks those who helped organize and promote the successful workshop.

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