2008-09 RHS Newsletter – FALL 2008

Prompted by a question on a WTTW program regarding Monterey Avenue, the Ridge Historical Society delves into the complex history of Morgan Park's street names. The article explains how annexation to Chicago in 1914 altered some names to avoid duplication within the city grid. Furthermore, it details how Blue Island Land & Building Company executive Col. George R. Clarke named numerous early streets—such as Tasso, Rinaldo, Armida, and Fairfax—after characters and places in the Renaissance epic poem "Jerusalem Delivered" by Torquato Tasso.

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Following weeks of renovation, the Ridge Historical Society is opening a newly updated living room and foyer exhibit space in the Graver Driscoll House. To celebrate, they are hosting a benefit and opening reception on November 22nd for a new exhibit titled "Mapping The Ridge." This exhibit will showcase the society's in-house collection of maps and photographs, highlighting the critical importance of maps as primary historical evidence used to track geographical, navigational, and developmental changes in the community over time.

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This photo essay captures the excitement of the RHS's 4th annual Party on the Hilltop, held on July 11, 2008. Society members, friends, and the RHS board gathered in the backyard and on the veranda overlooking Longwood Drive to watch international bike racers compete in the Beverly Hills Cycling Classic. The family-friendly event featured refreshments, games, and excellent views of the race, ending with an open invitation for the community to join the following year's watch party.

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This collection of short updates covers various historical research topics circulating within the Ridge Historical Society. It includes a follow-up by Sue Delves on a student history fair project about neighborhood integration that was inspired by a 1971 community presentation. It also highlights an upcoming book featuring Chicago neighborhoods, explains that "sunken gardens" (Georgian patios) on Fairfield Avenue were created by developers to save on foundation digging costs, and puts out a call to the community for photographs of the former Beth Torah Synagogue for an upcoming publication.

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A dedicated section expressing gratitude to the individuals and local businesses that have recently supported the Ridge Historical Society's operations and events. Acknowledgments are given to the corporate and individual sponsors of the 4th Annual RHS Party on the Hilltop, as well as the volunteers who assisted with the RHS Garage Sale. Special thanks are also directed to the "clippers" from the Morgan Park Woman's Club who preserve newspaper articles for the archives, and to neighbors Ken Majeski and Dawn Birmingham for donating an elegant porch swing for the society's veranda.

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Prompted by the enthusiasm of the 2008 presidential election, this article explores the deep history of national political figures visiting The Ridge area. It traces local political presence back to Abraham Lincoln speaking in "North Blue Island" in the 1850s, and details the local residency of Franklin D. Roosevelt's family via his son-in-law, John C. Boettiger. More recent notable visits include a massive rally for Bill and Hillary Clinton during the 1992 Southside Irish Parade, an appearance by Vice President Al Gore at the District 22 Police Station, and a heavily secured neighborhood stop by Walter Mondale orchestrated with the help of local community groups.

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Approaching the holiday season, the Ridge Historical Society outlines a variety of unique, locally focused gift ideas perfect for history enthusiasts and neighborhood residents. Offerings include RHS memberships, professional historic building research services to uncover the lineage of local homes, and cast bronze historic home plaques for qualifying properties over 50 years old. Additionally, the society sells local history books like "Chief O'Neill's Sketchy Recollections" and "Chicago's Beverly/Morgan Park Neighborhood," as well as custom-engraved paver bricks that are installed in the RHS landscaped garden.

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