A nice daytime shot of Wilson below the tracks. Original image available here: 1117 Wilson
January 25, 2011
January 24, 2011
Remember the Chicago Blizzard of 1967?
How Edgewater looked after the blizzard of 1967 dumped 23 inches of snow on Chicago. Drifts completely buried cars. In true Chicago weather style, it had been 65 degrees just two days before.
To see more pictures, visit the Tribune site.
Where were you when the blizzard brought the city to its knees?
To see more pictures, visit the Tribune site.
Where were you when the blizzard brought the city to its knees?
January 22, 2011
Edgewater Postcard Showing Broadway Surface Lines, Elevated
Can you spot your house in this postcard? Note the elevated and surface lines are marked. This was created before the lakefront was filled in.
Original postcard available for purchase at time of writing from here: Edgewater Beach Hotel
Original postcard available for purchase at time of writing from here: Edgewater Beach Hotel
January 21, 2011
Carson's Restaurant, 6162 N. Broadway, Edgewater, Chicago in 1957
Original image available at time of posting from here: Carson's in Edgewater
Chuckman's Chicago Nostalgia has an interior view:
January 20, 2011
When Gangs Came to Uptown, or Uptown and Hollywood
Bill Matteson
Uptown Chicago History Correspondent
We always had a good time growing up in Uptown, hardly any problems, no gangs so to speak of. We all belonged to many groups but not one specific gang. I would hang out on Leland and Kenmore, sometimes at Wilson and Hazel, Clarendon field house, or with the group from the Arcadia Roller Rink. About 1949 / 50 a change started to take place in Uptown
I noticed that there were groups starting to call themselves gangs. A book came out called The Amboy Dukes
by Irving Shulman [Ed. who wrote West Side Story]; it was about a gang in N.Y.C. We all read it and it wasn't a big deal until a movie came out called "City Across the River" (Tony Curtis' first role). Then all hell broke loose. Gangs were forming--zip guns, clubs, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and weapons of all kinds were appearing. Even my good buddy Howie made a zip gun that shot a .410 shell. Everyone was walking around trying to look cool and imitate Tony Curtis. We all got D.A. hair cuts (Duck's Ass or Duck Tail, however you remember it.) We started wearing clothes with strange names, One Button Roll, Pegs, Drapes, Outer Seams, Drop Loops, Box Cars, Slim Jims, and Mr B's. We developed a new way to walk, sort of a shuffle. We had to have our collar turned up at the back of the neck, and when we walked, we had to have our hands in our back pockets.
I think John Wayne copied from us.
We just all walked around looking cool and no one really got into any serious trouble.
Now if any one of our friends got into any difficulty with a rival group, we would mass together to meet the other group and usually end up with a lot of name calling. That was about it. Once we were going to fight some stupid group that came in wearing gang jackets. Our gang equipment was adhesive tape, which we put on our noses and backs so we could identify each other.
The Cops from Town Hall station got wind of this and came down hard on everyone that was there. We pulled all our tape off and walked quietly away and the stupid gang with matching jackets got beat and arrested by the cops.
Editor's Note: Bill Matteson is a regular correspondent for the Uptown Chicago History blog. Click the link below to read more of his stories of growing up in Uptown.
Uptown Chicago History Correspondent
We always had a good time growing up in Uptown, hardly any problems, no gangs so to speak of. We all belonged to many groups but not one specific gang. I would hang out on Leland and Kenmore, sometimes at Wilson and Hazel, Clarendon field house, or with the group from the Arcadia Roller Rink. About 1949 / 50 a change started to take place in Uptown
I noticed that there were groups starting to call themselves gangs. A book came out called The Amboy Dukes
by Irving Shulman [Ed. who wrote West Side Story]; it was about a gang in N.Y.C. We all read it and it wasn't a big deal until a movie came out called "City Across the River" (Tony Curtis' first role). Then all hell broke loose. Gangs were forming--zip guns, clubs, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and weapons of all kinds were appearing. Even my good buddy Howie made a zip gun that shot a .410 shell. Everyone was walking around trying to look cool and imitate Tony Curtis. We all got D.A. hair cuts (Duck's Ass or Duck Tail, however you remember it.) We started wearing clothes with strange names, One Button Roll, Pegs, Drapes, Outer Seams, Drop Loops, Box Cars, Slim Jims, and Mr B's. We developed a new way to walk, sort of a shuffle. We had to have our collar turned up at the back of the neck, and when we walked, we had to have our hands in our back pockets. I think John Wayne copied from us.
We just all walked around looking cool and no one really got into any serious trouble.
Now if any one of our friends got into any difficulty with a rival group, we would mass together to meet the other group and usually end up with a lot of name calling. That was about it. Once we were going to fight some stupid group that came in wearing gang jackets. Our gang equipment was adhesive tape, which we put on our noses and backs so we could identify each other.
The Cops from Town Hall station got wind of this and came down hard on everyone that was there. We pulled all our tape off and walked quietly away and the stupid gang with matching jackets got beat and arrested by the cops.
Editor's Note: Bill Matteson is a regular correspondent for the Uptown Chicago History blog. Click the link below to read more of his stories of growing up in Uptown.
January 18, 2011
My Memories of the Churches of Uptown Chicago
Bill Matteson
Uptown Chicago History Correspondent
CHURCHES
There were three churches in my life that gave me that certain something I was missing. Even at a young age, I realized that religion was very important to a person's development. So at about the age of nine I set out on a quest to find God.
"Christ Died for Our Sins" Church
I never knew the actual name of the church at Sheridan and Wilson but that was the big sign on the top, so that is what we called it. They would send out street ministers to preach to the drunks and sinners on Wilson Ave, usually around Kenmore. The minister would start around 7 PM Friday. He would use a large easel 4 foot long and 3 feet high and a lot of colored chalk. He would draw pictures then relate his drawings to God, religion, and spirituality and around 8 PM he would have 8 to 12 people on their knees, praying for salvation. At the proper time he would walk them the block over to the church. They would all file in and he would start with the preaching in such a manner that I was sure a thunder bolt was going to hit me right there, but it never did; it always seemed to get the other guys. They would say that you could feel the holy spirit enter your body.
I would help the sidewalk minister with his easel and chalk. I tried getting saved but it never worked. I just felt maybe only older people got saved. I wondered what power that minister had; we would set up the easel and then he would have a bunch of people on their knees right there on Wilson Ave.
I would go to Sunday School there and they gave me a bible for going 12 Sundays in a row. The Sunday school teacher wrote in the book "this book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this book." I showed the bible to mom and dad; they couldn't figure out why I was going to church. I even sang in the choir.
THE PEOPLES CHURCH
The minister at the time was Dr. Preston Bradley; he was on the radio every Sunday. I would sit in the balcony and I was always amazed at his diamond ring that would sparkle under the lights. But they had a lot of things going on for us neighborhood kids and it was fun.
Later in life, I would mention that I heard Dr Preston Bradley. I would be asked what I thought of him. Well, he had this big, shiny ring!
ST THOMAS
At thirteen I drifted over to St. Thomas. Now they had a real neat parish priest, a Monsignor Fox. He was a cool old guy who would walk the parish every night, talk to people, shake hands, etc. I converted when I was 15 and baptized Catholic.
My wife graduated from St Thomas and now that I was a Catholic, her mother would think I was a nice guy and trust me a little.
Mom and Dad were really starting to worry about me.
Today I don't know what I miss more, Uptown or being a teenager.
---
Editor's Note: Click the "Bill Matteson" link below to read more of Bill's memories of growing up in Uptown.
Uptown Chicago History Correspondent
CHURCHES
There were three churches in my life that gave me that certain something I was missing. Even at a young age, I realized that religion was very important to a person's development. So at about the age of nine I set out on a quest to find God.
"Christ Died for Our Sins" Church
I never knew the actual name of the church at Sheridan and Wilson but that was the big sign on the top, so that is what we called it. They would send out street ministers to preach to the drunks and sinners on Wilson Ave, usually around Kenmore. The minister would start around 7 PM Friday. He would use a large easel 4 foot long and 3 feet high and a lot of colored chalk. He would draw pictures then relate his drawings to God, religion, and spirituality and around 8 PM he would have 8 to 12 people on their knees, praying for salvation. At the proper time he would walk them the block over to the church. They would all file in and he would start with the preaching in such a manner that I was sure a thunder bolt was going to hit me right there, but it never did; it always seemed to get the other guys. They would say that you could feel the holy spirit enter your body.
I would help the sidewalk minister with his easel and chalk. I tried getting saved but it never worked. I just felt maybe only older people got saved. I wondered what power that minister had; we would set up the easel and then he would have a bunch of people on their knees right there on Wilson Ave.
I would go to Sunday School there and they gave me a bible for going 12 Sundays in a row. The Sunday school teacher wrote in the book "this book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this book." I showed the bible to mom and dad; they couldn't figure out why I was going to church. I even sang in the choir.
THE PEOPLES CHURCH
The minister at the time was Dr. Preston Bradley; he was on the radio every Sunday. I would sit in the balcony and I was always amazed at his diamond ring that would sparkle under the lights. But they had a lot of things going on for us neighborhood kids and it was fun.
Later in life, I would mention that I heard Dr Preston Bradley. I would be asked what I thought of him. Well, he had this big, shiny ring!
ST THOMAS
At thirteen I drifted over to St. Thomas. Now they had a real neat parish priest, a Monsignor Fox. He was a cool old guy who would walk the parish every night, talk to people, shake hands, etc. I converted when I was 15 and baptized Catholic.
My wife graduated from St Thomas and now that I was a Catholic, her mother would think I was a nice guy and trust me a little.
Mom and Dad were really starting to worry about me.
Today I don't know what I miss more, Uptown or being a teenager.
---
Editor's Note: Click the "Bill Matteson" link below to read more of Bill's memories of growing up in Uptown.
Montrose Avenue Street Car Chicago
A view of the street car that used to run down Montrose Avenue. Currently available from this seller: Montrose Avenue Street Car
Pavillion, Clarendon Municipal Bathing Beach, Uptown Chicago
I don't see this view of the Beach House come up as often; the original postcard is available from this seller: Clarendon Beach House
January 17, 2011
"Proposed Development" for Edgewater Golf Course
This photo is currently listed on eBay with the following caption: "September 10, 1971 featuring an architect's drawing of proposed development for Edgewater Golf Club, showing condominium apartments and shopping center. Photo by Val Gelo. This photo originates from the archives of The Chicago Daily News."
Image available here: Proposed Edgewater Development
From the same seller:
Edgewater Golf Course
The accompanying article:
Eventually the Edgewater Golf Course became Warren Park.
January 15, 2011
Housing and Back Porches in Uptown Chicago, 1970s
Another photo from the National Archives.
Housing and Back Porches in the Inner City of Uptown Chicago, Illinois 08/1974
Original Caption: Housing and Back Porches in the Inner City of Uptown Chicago, Illinois, a Neighborhood of Poor White Southerners. The Inner City Today Is an Absolute Contradiction the Main Stream America of Gas Stations, Expressways, Shopping Centers and Tract Homes. It Is Populated by Blacks, Latins and the White Poor. Some of the Best American Architecture Survives in Her "Worst" Neighborhoods 08/1974
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-13499
Photographer: Lyon, Danny, 1942-
Housing and Back Porches in the Inner City of Uptown Chicago, Illinois 08/1974
Original Caption: Housing and Back Porches in the Inner City of Uptown Chicago, Illinois, a Neighborhood of Poor White Southerners. The Inner City Today Is an Absolute Contradiction the Main Stream America of Gas Stations, Expressways, Shopping Centers and Tract Homes. It Is Populated by Blacks, Latins and the White Poor. Some of the Best American Architecture Survives in Her "Worst" Neighborhoods 08/1974
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-13499
Photographer: Lyon, Danny, 1942-
Two Youths in Uptown Chicago, 1974
From the National Archives:
Two Youths in Uptown, Chicago, Illinois 08/1974
Original Caption: Two Youths in Uptown, Chicago, Illinois, a Neighborhood of Poor White Southerners. The Inner City Today Is an Absolute Contradiction to the Main Stream America of Gas Stations Expressways, Shopping Centers and Tract Homes. It Is Populated by Blacks, Latins and the White Poor. Some of the Best American Architecture Survives in Her "Worst" Neighborhoods, Only Because It Hasn't Been Demolished 08/1974
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-13498
Photographer: Lyon, Danny, 1942-
Two Youths in Uptown, Chicago, Illinois 08/1974
Original Caption: Two Youths in Uptown, Chicago, Illinois, a Neighborhood of Poor White Southerners. The Inner City Today Is an Absolute Contradiction to the Main Stream America of Gas Stations Expressways, Shopping Centers and Tract Homes. It Is Populated by Blacks, Latins and the White Poor. Some of the Best American Architecture Survives in Her "Worst" Neighborhoods, Only Because It Hasn't Been Demolished 08/1974
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-13498
Photographer: Lyon, Danny, 1942-
January 14, 2011
Visit Shake Rattle and Read This Weekend for 45% Off Everything in Stock
If you've never been to Ric's bookstore before, now is your chance. Great deals all Saturday.
January 13, 2011
Uptown Bank, Broadway and Lawrence, Chicago, 1956
Uptown Bank. Is that a corner of the Green Mill marquee?
Original image available, at time of posting, from here: Uptown Bank
Original image available, at time of posting, from here: Uptown Bank
Images of Edgewater, with a Cessna in the Foreground
Images of a Cessna that ran out of gas in Edgewater, 1959.
Original images available at time of posting from here: Edgewater Beach Hotel
January 12, 2011
Tops, Marbles, and Yo-Yos
Bill Matteson
Uptown Chicago History Correspondent
TOPS, MARBLES AND YO YOS
These are things every boy in Uptown had that kids nowadays don't even know what they are or how to use them.
TOPS
There were two types of tops, Travelers and Spikers. Travelers had a rounded tip and the Spiker had a sharper tip. Both were made out of wood. The game consisted of two boys. We would draw a circle on the sidewalk or street; one kid would throw in a Traveler top; because of the rounded tip it would move around in a small circle -- hence the name. The other kid would then throw his Spiker at the traveling top with the intent of hitting it and, if hit right, the top would split in half. The traveler was thrown with an under hand movement while the Spiker was a sharp overhand downward thrust. One of the most treasured possessions was a split top.
MARBLES
I was the Northside marble champion. I won at Stewart School. A group of us had our picture in the Chicago Tribune in 1949. The citywide championship was held at Clarendon Park. I didn't even place.
Now, marbles was a simple game with a few rules, which had to be stated at the very beginning of each game. No mounds, no cow paths, no hunching, no squabbles, and knuckles down. If the rules were not stated, this is what could happen. A shooter could make a small mound, similar to a golf tee, place the marble on top of it then shot at it. A cow path was a line drawn in the dirt from the shooter to the object marble. Hunching was moving your shooting hand over the line into the ring. Knuckles down was exactly that, those knuckles had to be touching the dirt.
Squabbles is hard to explain. If you didn't say "no squabbles" at the beginning of the game, anyone could come by and holler squabbles then take all the marbles. But if you said "no squabbles" they couldn't. The strange part of all was this was a code of ethics; no one lied.
YO-YOS
Right after the war we found two important things, yo-yos and bubble gum. There I was, nine years old, and I never heard of bubble gum. I stood in line to get one penny's worth. I was able to blow bubbles right away and couldn't wait to show Mom and Dad. Well, I never did that again.
I saved my money and went to Woolworths 5 & 10 cent store on Broadway, just North of Wilson. Wow a real Duncan yo-yo, and they had two Filipino yo-yo experts that were amazing. I gave one my yo-yo and he carved my name in it and a palm tree on the other side in about two minutes flat. They could do all sorts of tricks and ended up sending the yo-yo into the air and catching it in their inside pocket. I practiced as much as I could, got pretty good at it, then I showed my mom and dad what I could do. No more bubble gum, no more yo-yos. Sometimess, life just ain't fair for a nine year old.
Uptown Chicago History Correspondent
TOPS, MARBLES AND YO YOS
These are things every boy in Uptown had that kids nowadays don't even know what they are or how to use them.
TOPS
There were two types of tops, Travelers and Spikers. Travelers had a rounded tip and the Spiker had a sharper tip. Both were made out of wood. The game consisted of two boys. We would draw a circle on the sidewalk or street; one kid would throw in a Traveler top; because of the rounded tip it would move around in a small circle -- hence the name. The other kid would then throw his Spiker at the traveling top with the intent of hitting it and, if hit right, the top would split in half. The traveler was thrown with an under hand movement while the Spiker was a sharp overhand downward thrust. One of the most treasured possessions was a split top.
MARBLES
I was the Northside marble champion. I won at Stewart School. A group of us had our picture in the Chicago Tribune in 1949. The citywide championship was held at Clarendon Park. I didn't even place.
Now, marbles was a simple game with a few rules, which had to be stated at the very beginning of each game. No mounds, no cow paths, no hunching, no squabbles, and knuckles down. If the rules were not stated, this is what could happen. A shooter could make a small mound, similar to a golf tee, place the marble on top of it then shot at it. A cow path was a line drawn in the dirt from the shooter to the object marble. Hunching was moving your shooting hand over the line into the ring. Knuckles down was exactly that, those knuckles had to be touching the dirt.
Squabbles is hard to explain. If you didn't say "no squabbles" at the beginning of the game, anyone could come by and holler squabbles then take all the marbles. But if you said "no squabbles" they couldn't. The strange part of all was this was a code of ethics; no one lied.
YO-YOS
Right after the war we found two important things, yo-yos and bubble gum. There I was, nine years old, and I never heard of bubble gum. I stood in line to get one penny's worth. I was able to blow bubbles right away and couldn't wait to show Mom and Dad. Well, I never did that again.
I saved my money and went to Woolworths 5 & 10 cent store on Broadway, just North of Wilson. Wow a real Duncan yo-yo, and they had two Filipino yo-yo experts that were amazing. I gave one my yo-yo and he carved my name in it and a palm tree on the other side in about two minutes flat. They could do all sorts of tricks and ended up sending the yo-yo into the air and catching it in their inside pocket. I practiced as much as I could, got pretty good at it, then I showed my mom and dad what I could do. No more bubble gum, no more yo-yos. Sometimess, life just ain't fair for a nine year old.
January 11, 2011
January 9, 2011
Another Image of Honolulu Harry's at Wilson and Clarendon, 1956
If I win the lotto I'm going to a) buy the Uptown Theatre from Jam and restore it myself and b) recreate this building.
Wilson and Clarendon, Uptown Chicago. Get it here: Honolulu Harry's!!!
Wilson and Clarendon, Uptown Chicago. Get it here: Honolulu Harry's!!!
January 8, 2011
Early Postcard of Sheridan and Wilson, Uptown Chicago
From the great Childs studio is this amazing image of Sheridan and Wilson. It's available at time of writing from here: Sheridan and Wilson
January 7, 2011
Two Early Postcards of the Edgewater Beach Hotel
What a glamorous place the Edgewater Beach Hotel was! The top postcard, of the Black Cat Room, I haven't seen before. The bottom one of the fountain I have a copy of in my own collection. These vintage photo ones are among my favorites of the Edgewater. Both are currently being auctioned on eBay here: Early Postcards Edgewater
I wonder what ever became of the chandeliers? That's the type of thing I'd really love to collect for my 1920s two-flat.
January 1, 2011
Historic Uptown Institutions Featured in Fault Layout
Thanks to Ric Addy of Shake Rattle and Read for the head's up on Fault Magazine's fashion layout shot in Uptown; featured locations include the Riv, the Uptown Theatre, and of course, Ric's own bookstore. See more here: Fault
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