Original available at time of writing from here: Edgewater
I just realized the negative on this one is reversed; I'll try to fix that later.
December 30, 2010
Aerial View of Edgewater, Chicago, 1946
Original available at time of writing from here: Edgewater
I just realized the negative on this one is reversed; I'll try to fix that later.
December 29, 2010
Walter W. Ahlschlager
A cartoon of architect Walter W. Ahlschlager from 1923; Ahlschlager designed many of Uptown's landmark buildings, including the Sheridan Plaza Hotel.
Original image from book available here: Walter W. Ahlschlager
The Movie Theaters of Uptown Chicago -- A Reader's Perspective
Reader Bill Matteson writes in:
THE MOVIE THEATERS IN UPTOWN
As a kid, I loved my neighborhood. I had access to everything a boy could desire. School was a block and a half walk south on Kenmore to Stewart School. The Lake Front was only a few blocks away, to the East. But mainly we had Theaters, all within walking distance
My favorite movie house was the Lakeside on the 4700 block of Sheridan Road. From my back porch on the 2nd floor of 4737 Kenmore, looking straight across over the garage roof tops and across the alley was the back fire escape of the Lakeside, which led right into the projection room.
One day while I was playing in the alley, the projectionist came out on the fire escape and waved me over, threw down a quarter, and told me to get him some coffee from Happy Jacks, a deli at Lawrence and Sheridan, on the S.W. corner, which I did. I brought it up to the back iron door and he let me come in and watch whatever movie was playing. Mom and Dad were coffee drinkers, so a couple of times a week I would knock on the back door with a coffee pot then retrieve it at end of day.
At Broadway and Lawrence we had the Uptown and The Rivera. On Sheridan was the Lakeside and the Pantheon; farther south was the Sheridan, later to become a synagogue. And just on the other side of Irving Pk Blvd. was the Mode (we pronounced it mo-day).
The Mode was Saturday matinee fare, two westerns, 10 cartoons, and two serials all for 12 cents.
On the extreme north of my area was the Argmore, on the N.W. corner of Argyle and Kenmore. Actually, I think it was a door or two off the corner. I would go there with my mom because they would give plates and dish cloths as premiums. I saw two great serials there, the first Batman
and another serial the Monster and the Ape
.
Now there were two other theaters worth mentioning, just a little out of the area One was the Vogue. The Vogue was on Sheridan Road, but where Sheridan runs east for a bit, just south of Irving Park. The Vogue had seats built for two. Great to make out in. That's when making out consisted of putting your arm around the girl and maybe a kiss.
The other theater was the Julian on Belmont Ave, just a couple of doors east of the EL tracks. We went to the Julian sometimes on Saturday for the westerns. The ushers wore cowboy garb and they made us check our cap guns at the candy counter. They had saddles hanging on the walls.
I have a collection of old movie serials that I still watch. The other night my 5-year-old grandson and I watched the first 7 chapters of Captain Marvel
, and he loves them. I'm in my glory. He's staying over Friday and wants to see the rest.
The glory days of movie theaters are over, but I still have my memories and that's more than the young kids today will have. I might mention we have 21 grandchildren, all of which know more about old movies than most adults
Bill Matteson
THE MOVIE THEATERS IN UPTOWN
As a kid, I loved my neighborhood. I had access to everything a boy could desire. School was a block and a half walk south on Kenmore to Stewart School. The Lake Front was only a few blocks away, to the East. But mainly we had Theaters, all within walking distance
My favorite movie house was the Lakeside on the 4700 block of Sheridan Road. From my back porch on the 2nd floor of 4737 Kenmore, looking straight across over the garage roof tops and across the alley was the back fire escape of the Lakeside, which led right into the projection room.
One day while I was playing in the alley, the projectionist came out on the fire escape and waved me over, threw down a quarter, and told me to get him some coffee from Happy Jacks, a deli at Lawrence and Sheridan, on the S.W. corner, which I did. I brought it up to the back iron door and he let me come in and watch whatever movie was playing. Mom and Dad were coffee drinkers, so a couple of times a week I would knock on the back door with a coffee pot then retrieve it at end of day.
At Broadway and Lawrence we had the Uptown and The Rivera. On Sheridan was the Lakeside and the Pantheon; farther south was the Sheridan, later to become a synagogue. And just on the other side of Irving Pk Blvd. was the Mode (we pronounced it mo-day).
The Mode was Saturday matinee fare, two westerns, 10 cartoons, and two serials all for 12 cents.
 |
| The Mode, showing its original facade from when it was a Keystone theatre and a later remodel. From Flickr user BWChicago. |
On the extreme north of my area was the Argmore, on the N.W. corner of Argyle and Kenmore. Actually, I think it was a door or two off the corner. I would go there with my mom because they would give plates and dish cloths as premiums. I saw two great serials there, the first Batman
and another serial the Monster and the Ape.Now there were two other theaters worth mentioning, just a little out of the area One was the Vogue. The Vogue was on Sheridan Road, but where Sheridan runs east for a bit, just south of Irving Park. The Vogue had seats built for two. Great to make out in. That's when making out consisted of putting your arm around the girl and maybe a kiss.
The other theater was the Julian on Belmont Ave, just a couple of doors east of the EL tracks. We went to the Julian sometimes on Saturday for the westerns. The ushers wore cowboy garb and they made us check our cap guns at the candy counter. They had saddles hanging on the walls.
I have a collection of old movie serials that I still watch. The other night my 5-year-old grandson and I watched the first 7 chapters of Captain Marvel
, and he loves them. I'm in my glory. He's staying over Friday and wants to see the rest.The glory days of movie theaters are over, but I still have my memories and that's more than the young kids today will have. I might mention we have 21 grandchildren, all of which know more about old movies than most adults
Bill Matteson
Drink Token, Normandy Cocktail Lounge, 1110 Lawrence, Uptown Chicago
Drink token from the Normandy Cocktail Lounge
When I Googled the address, I came up with this: "In 1958 the Normandy Cocktail Lounge, located next door to the Aragon, caught fire and an explosion erupted. The blast, probably set off by pressure from heat generated by the fire, ripped off the glass and brick storefront of the saloon, hurled bar stools, glass and shreds of fancy draperies across the street, and punched a huge hole into the wall that separated it from the foyer of the ballroom. Damage to the Aragon was estimated at $50,000.00. The explosion occurred at 3:35 am, three hours after the Aragon had closed. No one was injured. Consequently, the Aragon closed for a few months in order to repair the lobby. When it reopened, attendance dwindled." (Courtesy Iowa Ballroom Project.)
Aragon Drugs, 1039 Lawrence Avenue
Matchbook for Aragon Drugs
, which once stood on Lawrence in what is now the Lorali Hotel, across from the Aragon Ballroom.
December 28, 2010
Honolulu Harry's 804 Wilson Uptown Chicago
An interior shot of Honolulu Harry's, which once stood on Wilson Avenue. Original postcard available for purchase from here: Waikiki
December 27, 2010
December 24, 2010
Sheridan Road, Edgewater, 1965
Traffic tieup on Sheridan Road looking south from Thorndale due to road sign painting at Hollywood and Sheridan, July 13, 1965. Original photo available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Sheridan Road
December 23, 2010
Rainbo Arena, Clark at Lawrence, Uptown Chicago
In 1957, Mike Todd's Theater Cafe (formerly the French Casino, Rainbo Gardens) was converted to an ice skating rink, called Rainbo Arena, which was a practice rink for the Chicago Blackhawks including the year they won the 1961 Stanley Cup. The Rainbo Arena was also a training rink for several Olympic figure skaters, housed a pro bowling alley, and the original Kinetic Playground music venue.
Original image available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Rainbo Arena
Original image available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Rainbo Arena
December 22, 2010
Cricket Field Becomes Cricket Hill, Uptown Chicago
From reader Bill Matteson:
CRICKET HILL
Some time in the late forties there was a big field we called Cricket Field. How it got that name was always a mystery. There were no crickets and no one played cricket, but Cricket was just as good a name as any name, so it was Cricket Field. In the middle of that field was a jungle of sumac and trees of heaven and a lot of bushes. Also along the streets on each side of the viaducts the "jungles" went for a half block or a full block. They were the "summer homes" for all the bums and perverts in the ares. We never went into the jungle alone. Their nests were all around. A bed of newspaper and empty wine bottles were the tell tale signs.
The perverts would hang outside the jungle near the street and try to entice a kid in. But we were streetwise little punks and when this happened we could always find a cop, tell him what happened. He was there in an instant, arrested the perv, or sometimes just beat him with his nightstick. We never had to make a report or go to the station, all we had to do was point.
Then a few days later the perv or pervs were right back doing the same thing.
One day, me, Jimmy Thomas, and Norman Sobiesk were coming home from the lake and decided to play War. We found empty wine bottles [alongside the jungles], which became hand grenades and we were throwing them around when Jimmy threw one way up and it came down on my head. Knocked me out. When I woke up, they were carrying me down Lawrence Ave with my shirt covering my head and I was real bloody. They got me home and Mom shaved the back of my head and butterflyed it up. I still have a four-inch scar across the back of my head. Mom felt real sorry for me and Dad made me stay in for a few days for being stupid.
The Park District decided to do away with all the jungles and the big jungle in Cricket Field was cut down. They dug a big, deep hole where the jungle was. I think they needed land fill somewhere and a place to put some garbage, so they filled in the hole over the next few years and kept piling on the dirt. Cricket Field was gone forever.
Hello Cricket Hill.
Cricket Hill is between Montrose and Wilson Ave [east of Lake Shore Drive].
CRICKET HILL
Some time in the late forties there was a big field we called Cricket Field. How it got that name was always a mystery. There were no crickets and no one played cricket, but Cricket was just as good a name as any name, so it was Cricket Field. In the middle of that field was a jungle of sumac and trees of heaven and a lot of bushes. Also along the streets on each side of the viaducts the "jungles" went for a half block or a full block. They were the "summer homes" for all the bums and perverts in the ares. We never went into the jungle alone. Their nests were all around. A bed of newspaper and empty wine bottles were the tell tale signs.
The perverts would hang outside the jungle near the street and try to entice a kid in. But we were streetwise little punks and when this happened we could always find a cop, tell him what happened. He was there in an instant, arrested the perv, or sometimes just beat him with his nightstick. We never had to make a report or go to the station, all we had to do was point.
Then a few days later the perv or pervs were right back doing the same thing.
One day, me, Jimmy Thomas, and Norman Sobiesk were coming home from the lake and decided to play War. We found empty wine bottles [alongside the jungles], which became hand grenades and we were throwing them around when Jimmy threw one way up and it came down on my head. Knocked me out. When I woke up, they were carrying me down Lawrence Ave with my shirt covering my head and I was real bloody. They got me home and Mom shaved the back of my head and butterflyed it up. I still have a four-inch scar across the back of my head. Mom felt real sorry for me and Dad made me stay in for a few days for being stupid.
The Park District decided to do away with all the jungles and the big jungle in Cricket Field was cut down. They dug a big, deep hole where the jungle was. I think they needed land fill somewhere and a place to put some garbage, so they filled in the hole over the next few years and kept piling on the dirt. Cricket Field was gone forever.
Hello Cricket Hill.
Cricket Hill is between Montrose and Wilson Ave [east of Lake Shore Drive].
December 21, 2010
Catching Some Rays in Edgewater, Chicago, 1964
You can see the Edgewater Beach Hotel and Edgewater Beach Apartments in the background.
Original image available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Edgewater 1964
Original image available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Edgewater 1964
December 19, 2010
Living Next to the "New" Uptown Theatre, Chicago
Reader Gail Scholl writes:
My Dad was born in 1912. At that time they lived by Chase Park. But [when he was] about 8 or 9 they moved to Magnolia Avenue right next to the site that became the Uptown. At that time there was a 2-flat building next to them. My Aunts told us about how that building was moved down the block (they always pointed out the building to us). Guess it was a big thing then, moving a building. Then the Uptown was built next door to them.
Also, Weisman Furniture and the Candy Drum were next to the Uptown on Broadway. We were friends with the Weisman daughter and she showed us old newspapers that show the Weisman's sold some of the land that became the Uptown Theater. Having a father and aunts that grew up in the same neighborhood we did, we ended up with lots of their friends working in the stores and shops in the neighborhood and everyone watched and knew us. We always knew if we did anything wrong, someone would call our Dad. (They actually did a couple times).
Editor's note: If you have a memory of the Uptown neighborhood you'd like to share, send us an e-mail at editor(a)compassrose.org We'd love to post your stories here.
Gail's old building, as seen on Google:
View Larger Map
Update from Gail: Behind our back yard was an alley and Weisman's Furniture. Kitty corner was the fire department on Ainslie. Have good memories from there also. We even got to slide down the fire pole. The building that was moved was on the west side of Magnolia and about halfway after Ainslie. But I doubt I would recognize it.
My Dad was born in 1912. At that time they lived by Chase Park. But [when he was] about 8 or 9 they moved to Magnolia Avenue right next to the site that became the Uptown. At that time there was a 2-flat building next to them. My Aunts told us about how that building was moved down the block (they always pointed out the building to us). Guess it was a big thing then, moving a building. Then the Uptown was built next door to them.
Also, Weisman Furniture and the Candy Drum were next to the Uptown on Broadway. We were friends with the Weisman daughter and she showed us old newspapers that show the Weisman's sold some of the land that became the Uptown Theater. Having a father and aunts that grew up in the same neighborhood we did, we ended up with lots of their friends working in the stores and shops in the neighborhood and everyone watched and knew us. We always knew if we did anything wrong, someone would call our Dad. (They actually did a couple times).
Editor's note: If you have a memory of the Uptown neighborhood you'd like to share, send us an e-mail at editor(a)compassrose.org We'd love to post your stories here.
Gail's old building, as seen on Google:
View Larger Map
Update from Gail: Behind our back yard was an alley and Weisman's Furniture. Kitty corner was the fire department on Ainslie. Have good memories from there also. We even got to slide down the fire pole. The building that was moved was on the west side of Magnolia and about halfway after Ainslie. But I doubt I would recognize it.
December 18, 2010
The Hager Sisters and Uptown Chicago in the Late 1800s
Here's another great memory from reader Bill Matteson. Click the link at the bottom of the post that says "Memories from Readers" to read more of his letters to us.
THE HAGER SISTERS
The very last stop on my newspaper route was the Hager sisters at Winthrop Ave and Lawrence near the NW Corner. They were without a doubt the oldest people I knew, in and about 1944 I guessed them to be around 90. They were short and round and always tried to make me drink milk with the homemade cookies they gave me. I hate milk. But they were always good for a dime tip.
I complained about the freezing weather one particularly cold day. They told me I had never really experienced cold. Then came the history lesson.
In the days I believe before the Chicago Fire, at the site of the present Uptown Theater, was an old ramshackle frame structure that housed a tavern. People would wait for a mule-drawn conveyance that ran on tracks down Broadway. Men waited inside the saloon for the transportation, but no self-respecting woman would
ever go inside one. Regardless of the cold.
But these men were gentlemen and would build a council fire for the women to do a squaw dance around the fire to keep warm by. On the other side of Broadway was swamp that ran east to Kenmore Ave where the Lake proper started. Land fill came and the Lake was pushed back to where Clarendon Ave is. Hence the Clarendon Beach Bath House, later to become the Clarendon Field House and Teenage center where I used to hang out as an early teenager. More land fill pushed the lake back to its present position.
I loved those two old Ladies; they were the nicest people on my route. I moved out of the area when I was 16 in 1952. As far as I knew, they were never married and they were not twins.
I now am 75 years old and I think about those days a lot
Regards,
Bill Matteson
THE HAGER SISTERS
The very last stop on my newspaper route was the Hager sisters at Winthrop Ave and Lawrence near the NW Corner. They were without a doubt the oldest people I knew, in and about 1944 I guessed them to be around 90. They were short and round and always tried to make me drink milk with the homemade cookies they gave me. I hate milk. But they were always good for a dime tip.
I complained about the freezing weather one particularly cold day. They told me I had never really experienced cold. Then came the history lesson.
In the days I believe before the Chicago Fire, at the site of the present Uptown Theater, was an old ramshackle frame structure that housed a tavern. People would wait for a mule-drawn conveyance that ran on tracks down Broadway. Men waited inside the saloon for the transportation, but no self-respecting woman would
ever go inside one. Regardless of the cold.
But these men were gentlemen and would build a council fire for the women to do a squaw dance around the fire to keep warm by. On the other side of Broadway was swamp that ran east to Kenmore Ave where the Lake proper started. Land fill came and the Lake was pushed back to where Clarendon Ave is. Hence the Clarendon Beach Bath House, later to become the Clarendon Field House and Teenage center where I used to hang out as an early teenager. More land fill pushed the lake back to its present position.
I loved those two old Ladies; they were the nicest people on my route. I moved out of the area when I was 16 in 1952. As far as I knew, they were never married and they were not twins.
I now am 75 years old and I think about those days a lot
Regards,
Bill Matteson
Foster Avenue Beach, Chicago, 1964
Barbara Malles cools off in the water while reading the morning paper at Foster Ave Beach May 22, 1964.
Original image available (at time of posting) from here: Beach Bunny
Original image available (at time of posting) from here: Beach Bunny
December 17, 2010
Senn High School Teams, 1952
Photos from a blog reader...
The Senn Track Team in 1952 and also from 1952 the Senn Lettermen.
If you recognize yourself in one of the photos, point it out!
The Senn Track Team in 1952 and also from 1952 the Senn Lettermen.
If you recognize yourself in one of the photos, point it out!
December 16, 2010
Sunnyside and Magnolia, Uptown, Chicago, 1958
The Adolph Mueler Square War Memorial on the southeast corner of Sunnyside and Magnolia celebrates a rededication ceremony with Dr. Robert Bleier, the Illinois Commander of the Jewish War Vets. April 13, 1958.
Original photo available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Sunnyside and Kenmore
Kenmore and Winthrop to Go One Way, 1951
Original image available (at time of posting) from here: Winthrop and Kenmore
December 14, 2010
A Reader's Memories of The Silver Palm Tavern / Burlesque Bar, Uptown Chicago
The Silver Palm was located at 1117 Wilson Avenue in Uptown Chicago. We recently featured another photo of it as it looked back in the day. This prompted a reader, Bill Matteson, to write in with his memories:
THE SILVER PALM BURLESQUE BAR
Well, it was about 1948 on a Saturday afternoon. I was 12 years old; me and my buddy Jimmy Thomas were going to the DeLuxe Theatre at the corner of Wilson Ave and Clifton, which is just west of the El tracks. Jimmy and I stopped in front of the Silver Palm to see if we could peek in and see something that would be worthwhile for a 12 year old boy to see.
Three big black sedans pulled up; men jumped out of the cars carrying sledge hammers and axes. They smashed through the locked front door. Jimmy and I, being boys, followed right in after them. We stood on the side and watched them smash tables, bottles, the bar and even the walls, and there on the walls were pictures of Nude Women. We were in our glory. The smasher guys told us to stay out of the way and we could have anything we wanted.
We stole an old wagon from the outside back of the bar, took all the pictures, and behind the bar were some small cartons containing little plastic telescopes on a key chain. Inside the scopes were women nude from the waist up. Other boxes contained "8 pagers". The outcome was me and Jimmy took the wagon back to the "Pretzel Benders Inn" on Leland Ave. just west of Kenmore and sold everything we had to a few of the "boys." We made about $10 each.
We didn't really want to see Abbot and Costello meet Captain Kidd
any way
An 8 pager was exactly that--page 1 was the cover then 7 other pages of hand drawn sex acts.
The Deluxe Theater was razed and is now part of the Truman Campus. $10 was a huge amount of money for a 12 year old. 12 cents got me into the movie. Riverview had 2 cent days. Can you imagine 50 rides for a buck?
Who were those guys in the black sedans? I never found out; it never made the newspaper. The speculation in the neighborhood was the "mob" or the IRS or "Big 10" from Townhall police station. Big 10 was an unmarked squad car with three detectives and nobody ever messed with Big Ten.
Regards
Bill Matteson
THE SILVER PALM BURLESQUE BAR
Well, it was about 1948 on a Saturday afternoon. I was 12 years old; me and my buddy Jimmy Thomas were going to the DeLuxe Theatre at the corner of Wilson Ave and Clifton, which is just west of the El tracks. Jimmy and I stopped in front of the Silver Palm to see if we could peek in and see something that would be worthwhile for a 12 year old boy to see.
Three big black sedans pulled up; men jumped out of the cars carrying sledge hammers and axes. They smashed through the locked front door. Jimmy and I, being boys, followed right in after them. We stood on the side and watched them smash tables, bottles, the bar and even the walls, and there on the walls were pictures of Nude Women. We were in our glory. The smasher guys told us to stay out of the way and we could have anything we wanted.
 |
| The Silver Palm as it looked in 1951, shortly after the events in the story. The original image can be purchased (at time of writing) from here: Silver Palm. |
We stole an old wagon from the outside back of the bar, took all the pictures, and behind the bar were some small cartons containing little plastic telescopes on a key chain. Inside the scopes were women nude from the waist up. Other boxes contained "8 pagers". The outcome was me and Jimmy took the wagon back to the "Pretzel Benders Inn" on Leland Ave. just west of Kenmore and sold everything we had to a few of the "boys." We made about $10 each.
We didn't really want to see Abbot and Costello meet Captain Kidd
any wayAn 8 pager was exactly that--page 1 was the cover then 7 other pages of hand drawn sex acts.
The Deluxe Theater was razed and is now part of the Truman Campus. $10 was a huge amount of money for a 12 year old. 12 cents got me into the movie. Riverview had 2 cent days. Can you imagine 50 rides for a buck?
Who were those guys in the black sedans? I never found out; it never made the newspaper. The speculation in the neighborhood was the "mob" or the IRS or "Big 10" from Townhall police station. Big 10 was an unmarked squad car with three detectives and nobody ever messed with Big Ten.
Regards
Bill Matteson
December 12, 2010
Cowboys at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, 1955
Original image available for purchase (at time of posting) from here: Giddyup!
Rooftop View from the Edgewater Beach Hotel
Moonwatch Group at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, 1957. For larger view or to purchase image (available at time of posting) go here: Up on the Roof
What landmarks can you spot?
December 11, 2010
Senn High School, Chicago, 1939
My mom graduated from Senn in the early sixties. I went to one of the open houses a few years ago and called her while there to ask if she remembered where her locker and homeroom were. I had given her a starting point, and after forty years, she was still able to talk me through the building.
Original image available for purchase, at time of posting, from here: Senn High School
A number of famous people graduated from Senn over the years, including Burr Tillstrom, creator of Kukla Fran and Ollie
; Sidney Sheldon, an Academy Award and Tony Award winning playwright, screenwriter, and novelist who helped create television series such as The Patty Duke Show
, Hart to Hart
, and I Dream of Jeannie
; Harold Ramis, a comedy writer, director, and actor (Caddyshack
, National Lampoon's Vacation
, Ghostbusters
, Groundhog Day
, Analyze This
); jazz singer Anita O'Day
; Clayton Moore, aka The Lone Ranger
; Allan Katz, who wrote and produced M*A*S*H
; Harvey Kormon, best known for his work on the Carol Burnett Show
; and author John Jakes, who has written a number of bestsellers, including North and South
.
Original image available for purchase, at time of posting, from here: Senn High School
A number of famous people graduated from Senn over the years, including Burr Tillstrom, creator of Kukla Fran and Ollie
; Sidney Sheldon, an Academy Award and Tony Award winning playwright, screenwriter, and novelist who helped create television series such as The Patty Duke Show, Hart to Hart, and I Dream of Jeannie; Harold Ramis, a comedy writer, director, and actor (Caddyshack, National Lampoon's Vacation, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Analyze This); jazz singer Anita O'Day; Clayton Moore, aka The Lone Ranger; Allan Katz, who wrote and produced M*A*S*H; Harvey Kormon, best known for his work on the Carol Burnett Show; and author John Jakes, who has written a number of bestsellers, including North and South.
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