A Resident's Memories of Uptown Chicago

Frank, one of our readers, had written in to share his memories of growing up in Uptown. You can read all of his posts here, but we wanted to pull out one and feature it here:

We lived on Sheridan right off Windsor . We use to go my brothers and sister to the UPTOWN theatre or the Riviera at the time like once a week for under a dollar. They both showed cheap movies back then. We'd go to church at the north shore church, now called Uptown Baptist, on Wilson and Sheridan once a week. Lots of times we'd just play outside, for neighborood kids just did that back then. Kids are always looking to get into something. Our mother kept us indoors often protective. Didn't want us getting into trouble.

Going to the arcade at Pops Arcade, probably primitive today's arcades standards, but they had pinball, and gunfight, more like carnival games was somthing kids did. Going to Stewart school and play on the swings and things, and jumping off to see how far we could get.

My friend James who was very bright had a collection of comic books 5 feet high. He and his brother were big star trek fans, and watched it everyday. The original Star Trek that is. The Next Generation didn't exist. He use to loan me comics. I bet they are valuable now if he still has then 35 years later.

Coming home from school and watching tv was usually the first things kids did. Cartoons, kids shows etc. to keep us entertained, because quality tv didn't require cable subscription, but you did have to endure the commercials. Cable tv didn't exist, or computer for the household. personally i think kids seem somewhat smarter with the computers today, but somehow doesn't seem like they have as much to me as before them.

Anyways Uptown was and is a diverse area, and it's an area that's always changing with immigration . Many people move there, and later move out. I have lived in uptown since 1981 , and then for 2 years in 1985 and 1986 on Kenmore and Montrose. Me and my whole family. I will always consider Uptown my roots no matter what changes it brings the memories are what we take with us.

By the way this is a great uptown sight and history of uptown.

One important person who needs recognition is Romla Remis Dunlap. She lived right on Sheridan past Winsor for years. She was the first Lady To play Dorthy in the first Wizard of Oz the silent version.

Anyway when uptown was like hollywood way back then she was probably its last legacy She died in the 1980s, She was a piano teacher and christian scientist . You can find her on the net.
I better go. I spoke a mouthful. Wish we could all go back.

Uptown Chicago History Tours

Thanks to the folks at Uptown United for letting us know about these great Uptown-based spring tours, hosted by the Chicago History Museum: http://www.chicagohistory.org/planavisit/upcomingevents


My Kind of Uptown

Thursday, May 14, 6:45 p.m.

On this walking tour, discover this North Side neighborhood's gangster past as well as its energized entertainment, including the Riv, the Rainbo, and Essanay Studios.

Cost:
$25; $20 members


Graceland Cemetery

Sunday, May 31, 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Experience the history of old Chicago as you venture through one of the country's most famous cemeteries. Al Walavich takes you on a fascinating tour through the graves of Graceland Cemetery, including famous Chicagoans Marshall Field, Louis Sullivan, Potter and Bertha Palmer, and George Pullman.

Location:
Tour begins at the cemetery entrance, corner of Irving Park Road and Clark Street.

Cost:
$15; $10, members

Green Mill Sunken Gardens, Broadway and Lawrence, Uptown Chicago

The Web site My Al Capone Museum has a very nice article on the Green Mill Gardens, located at Broadway and Lawrence. While a small portion of the club still remains, much of the ground space was taken over to build the Uptown Theatre.

The advertisement above announced the opening night; the text reads:

Come tonight to the Green Mill Gardens. The coolest spot in Chicago—the only real Sunken Gardens in America—the most novel summer garden where every night is a gala night. Come where you can spend your evening in comfort and pleasure in a delightful spot encircled by a terrace of flowers and climbing vines. Dine in our Della Robbia Room, designed with rare skill and carried out in the costliest, though not gaudy, marbles and tile. Attractive and rich—a place where you will enjoy the finest cuisine prepared by expert chefs. The cleverest entertainers.

The Queen of the Cabaret Miss Patricola with her orchestra of 25 pieces and many other stellar attractions, especially engaged for tonight's opening, will entertain you as you have never been entertained before. For the best amusement in Chicago, come to Green Mill Gardens tonight!

Take Broadway Car to Door or Northwestern "L" to Wilson Avenue, Walk 2 Blocks.

Oh, how fabulous it must have been! Our thanks go to D.S. for pointing us to the Web site.

Viet Hoa, Serving Uptown Chicago for 30 Years

Uptown store offers taste of Vietnam

Viet Hoa has met community's culinary needs for 30 years

By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah

Walking along Argyle Street in Uptown, it's hard not to step into Viet Hoa Plaza along with everyone else walking in.

The grocery store, just steps from the red and green pagoda marking the North Side Asian business district's elevated train stop, was packed on a recent morning.

Inside, owner Joseph Trinh had just returned from his morning trip to the market to buy fresh produce. He was checking in with cashiers (most of whom are relatives), setting prices for the day and helping customers find everything from noodles to a pack of noni tea when one of them asked, "Do you have noni extract?"

The noni plant is well-known throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific for treating everything from asthma to arthritis and even constipation, but it's still difficult to find in Chicago stores...

Read more here.

Historic Bridgeview Bank of Uptown Chicago Featured in Movie Trailer for Public Enemies

This is very exciting. The trailer for the new Johnny Depp movie, Public Enemies, has been released. It opens with a scene at the Bridgeview Bank, located at Lawrence and Broadway. You can watch the trailer here:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/publicenemies/hd