2012-12 RHS Newsletter – WINTER 2012

This article highlights the England J. Barker House, located at 107th and Longwood. Originally designed by Prairie School architect H.H. Waterman in 1910, the "house of elegant simplicity" has been exceptionally well-preserved over generations. Now utilized by Beacon Therapeutic Day School, the building features distinct architectural elements like a green tile roof, a porte-cochere, and arched openings, representing a seamless blend of historic preservation and modern functional use.

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The core mission of the Ridge Historical Society is to gather and share local history, an effort largely propelled by public research requests. Serving students, media, government, and private citizens, RHS handled over 50 such requests in early 2012 alone. These inquiries frequently result in the unearthing of new information, the donation of fresh materials to the archives, and the forging of new community connections, demonstrating the dynamic nature of local historical preservation.

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Triggered by a request regarding the England J. Barker House, RHS researchers embarked on a deep dive into the home's past residents. Through platforms like Find-A-Grave, they successfully located a group of "Barker cousins," descendants of the original owners. This digital connection culminated in a May 2011 in-person visit to Illinois by several descendants, who toured their ancestral homes and graciously donated valuable family documents and items to the RHS archives.

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Born in Nova Scotia in 1863, England J. Barker achieved immense success after inventing an early autographic register and founding the United Autographic Register Company (UARCO). He moved to Morgan Park in 1899, becoming a leading civic figure, founder of the Beverly State Savings Bank, and village trustee. The article traces his family's timeline, detailing his children, his eventual death in 1925, and how his sons, particularly Lewis Barker, carried on his business legacy while commissioning further grand architectural projects like the Tudor mansion that later became the Mercy Home for Girls.

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Reprinted from the August 16, 1910, edition of the Chicago Tribune, this historical clipping offers a colorful glimpse into local pastimes and politics. It describes a standoff where Morgan Park Mayor Ney threatened to refuse permits for a mock "genuine bull fight" planned by the Ridge Country Club, overseen by then-president E.J. Barker. The event organizers defied the authorities, promising a grand, costume-filled spectacle with an "imported, ramping, ferocious Andalusian bull," providing a highly entertaining look at early 20th-century community antics.

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Dr. Sandra Govan, a Professor Emeritus who grew up in the area, contacted RHS to review their specialized collection on the historically Black section of Morgan Park east of Vincennes Avenue. Rooted in migrations dating back to the late 1800s following the Civil War, this pioneer African American community established enduring institutions like Beth Eden church and Holy Name of Mary Parish. The article highlights how this vibrant, co-existing community later faced isolation due to the construction of Interstate 57, and praises the RHS's ongoing efforts to preserve the rich oral histories, photographs, and records of these foundational families.

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In October, RHS President Edris Hoover attended the Conference on Illinois History in Springfield, interacting with a diverse group of historians, architects, and scholars. A standout session for Hoover was "Turn a Picture into a Document," which emphasized the vital practice of analyzing historical photographs for deep contextual clues about time, place, and activity. Inspired by this presentation, Hoover suggests that RHS, which boasts a massive photo collection, could develop engaging new programs centered around the careful examination of these visual documents.

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This article honors the Marquardt family's deep, multi-generational roots in the Ridge communities, sparked by a recent bequest from the estate of Walter E. Marquardt, Jr. Tracing the family's history back to German immigrants Henry, Margaret, and Daniel Marquardt in the 1880s, the piece highlights their significant local impact. A reprinted 1916 local newspaper snippet describes D.F. Marquardt's massive building materials yard at 104th and Vincennes, underscoring how integral the family was to the physical construction and development of Washington Heights and surrounding areas.

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The Ridge Historical Society highlights two significant financial contributions that have enabled much-needed capital improvements, including a newly repaved driveway. The society received an initial payout of $15,000 from the estate of Walter E. Marquardt, Jr., a former member with deep community ties. Additionally, the Morgan Park High School Alumni Organization of 1942-43, upon deciding to disband after years of organizing reunions, generously donated their remaining funds of $3,500 along with their historical records to the RHS.

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The newsletter features a photograph and brief description of an RHS Girl Scout exhibit coordinated by Carol Macola and Carol Flynn. The exhibit showcased the evolution of scouting attire, with Macola wearing a traditional adult uniform and Harper modeling the current version. Standing in front of a 1925 quilt sewn by a local troop, the piece celebrates the enduring legacy and active community presence of the Girl Scouts in the Ridge area.

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Printed on the back page of the newsletter, this section outlines the Ridge Historical Society's upcoming winter event calendar. Highlights include a Victorian High Tea on December 28th, a Champagne and Sweets Reception to celebrate the New Year on January 3rd, and the RHS Annual Meeting on February 17th. Additionally, it promotes an installment of the RHS 'House Doctors' series focusing on historic home heating solutions, ensuring members have multiple opportunities to engage with the society through the early months of 2013.

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