Kids love history and architecture – if you give them the chance

Parthenon, Athens, Greece

For three days in October a sub-committee of the CHHPAC spent an hour with the 4th and 5th graders who spend afterschool at The Jones Community Center.We had a goal. Show kids that old buildings are cool – and that regardless of their condition, a little TLC can make the shabby shine again.
We first looked at different styles around the world, from the stuffy to the funky.  Like these–>

Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright

Geodesic Dome, Bukminster Fuller

We looked at shapes – who knew we could find so many in buildings? Then we taught them a lesson in historic equipment as I struggled to make a non-carrosel-type slide projector work. Yipes! But, they loved seeing the actual slides. We all looked at an old brick with a name stamp on it. We talked about materials and how we make materials, how that has changed over time, and then looked at architectural drawings on vellum. ooohh

The next day they seemed to have a good time actually looking at the slides projected – I had figured out how to use the vintage slide projector – and putting together puzzles of houses of different styles. They also got to touch and hold a piece of art glass, counting the panes, and a terra-cotta roofing tile. They seemed very interested in these items.

On the third day there were many proud to tell me they lived in an old house, and even the year it was built. We talked about places that matter to us, our homes, churches, schools, and the Jones Community Center. We also talked about why we keep old buildings.

Why is it important to save items and places? We talked about the three reasons.

1)Because they are beautiful or interesting to look at and provide “visual enhancement” to the area.

Before and after of a house (Dallas, TX)

2) They are still useful, sturdy and can be re-used rather than be wasted and create more garbage in a landfill. Once cleaned up, or with regular maintenance, shabby places can look new again.

3) The place/structure has a special history, provides a link to that history, and helps us – and future generations – remember.  Tactile history, just like the brick, or terra-cotta roofing tile, gives our minds something to make history real.

How do you explain the reasons for preservation to children?  I try to work it in when I can with my own. Pointing buildings out as we pass, the details that I find attractive, or predominant shapes. Wondering out loud what an empty building could be re-used for, or where all the debris will go when something is demolished. We talk over old pictures, or the reasons why I value the old dresser we have over a newer one.

History gives us a sense of belonging to something, and kids get it – if you give them the chance.

Here are some of the links we used for our project:

The National Park Service – Teaching with Historic Places

National Trust for Historic Preservation – My House Matters

Architecture – It’s Elementary!

 

**All pictures in this post are not our own and have been borrowed from another website, a while back, and therefore do not have a link. You probably knew that, but I will work harder in the future to keep track of borrowed images and their original locations.

Hull House in Chicago Heights? The Jones Memorial Community Center

The Jones Center gets it's Landmark sign

On August 1st the Chicago Height Historic Preservation Advisory Committee was joined by Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, Alderperson Wanda Rogers, Chief of Staff Lisa Aprati and Cicely Barber, Community Relations Administrator, in presenting to Executive Director Cheryl Roop of the Jones Community Center their Landmark sign. In April the Chicago Heights City Council unanimously voted to give historic landmark status to the structure.

Not only has it become an established and familiar visual feature to the City of Chicago Heights, but the Harold Colbert Jones Memorial Community Center remains a focal point of the city today. The community center was chartered November 16, 1917. It grew out of a mission organized by Eugenio De Luca directed toward the Italian immigrant community.  On May 1, 1910 Mr. De Luca organized night school classes in a hotel on Twenty-Second Street in the Hill neighborhood to teach citizenship and English. As the number of participants grew, it became obvious that rented rooms and church spaces were no longer adequate to house the  classes. A fundraising campaign for $15, 000 was successful and a building to house these programs was completed in 1918 on East 15^th Street.

Throughout the ensuing years the Center has served Italians, Poles, Lithuanians, Germans, African Americans and
migrant laborers teaching them English so they could become citizens and introducing them to American customs. Staff lived in the Center in the spirit of Settlement Houses such as Hull House. The goal of these organizations was to help others, not by patronizing them, but by joining their communities. These houses became the key means by which immigrants and the less fortunate would be welcomed, enriched, and encouraged toward self-sufficiency. A second story was added to the building in 1921 to provide more sleeping quarters for staff and additional club rooms to accommodate the Center’s increasing number of
activities. Hot showers, the first on the East side of town, were available and were especially important to the men who did the hardest and dirtiest work in the factories but whose homes lacked hot water or indoor plumbing.

In 1938 George Colbert Jones made a gift to the Center of 1500 shares of Inland Steel Company stock in memory of his son Harold Colbert. It was designated for the construction of an addition to the building that was to have a full size gymnasium, among other facilities. The original building was veneered to match the new. This is the Art Deco style structure that is visible today, exhibiting the common style characteristic of geometric ornamentation. It was designed by Benjamin F. Olson.

Today, the Center’s mission is very much the same as it has been for 100 years. Neighborhood kids know this as their home, where they come before and after school. A safe haven. A great place with great people. Unfortunately, they are in dire need for a new roof over the gymnasium and are campaigning to raise the money needed. Please visit their website to donate and to find a more detailed history of this amazing Chicago Heights place.

(Patch Article Jones Center Celebrates Landmark Status…)

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Al Capone’s Tunnels

In my short tenure as the chair of the preservation committee, I have been asked a few times if I know anything about Al Capone and his ties here. Where did he live, visit? Did he build tunnels? If so, where?

Honestly, I don’t know. There are sooo many more things I, personally, care more about in this city. But, history is history….so here is a bit on the existence of tunnels.

A quick search of the internet brought up places where it is said Capone used tunnels for escape and bootlegging purposes. One as close as Thornton, others in Burlington WI, and Canada. A May 2005 Star article talks about how Chicago Heights not only served as a refuge for Capone, but was where many of his liquor stills were located.

When first posed with the question of tunnels I asked past Chicago Heights historian, Barbara Paul‘s husband. Since her passing, he, and the books she and Dominic Candoloro wrote, are my link to all that she knew – and that was a lot. He told me that she never knew of any and didn’t believe they existed.

Now, that is a tough pill for a lot of people to swallow, I am sure. But the nature of these things, secret tunnels, well, are secret. The stuff of “if I told you, I’d have to kill you”, right? Well, there may be someone who knows. There just may be places, maybe in YOUR basement. Maybe you, or your uncle, held your own Geraldo vault opening only to find canned tomatoes and empty Peroni bottles?

I think I understand why Barbara, and now I, am reluctant to delve into this subject. So many reasons. Yet, it is an interesting question.  What do you think?

Are there secret tunnels in Chicago Heights?

Chicago Heights Postcards and Images

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Thank You to Chuckman’s Collection for use of the images. For more great postcards and images please visit Chuckman’s blog.

Bloomvale Cemetery

A little known landmark in the city is that of Bloomvale Cemetery. Never heard of it? You are not alone. Even if you have lived in Chicago Heights all of your life you may still not know of its existence. You might just know of the area as “the dump”. WHAT?!? There is no longer a cemetery there? Well, here is the story.

While its origins are unknown, Bloomvale Cemetery may have been in use years before Chicago Heights began issuing burial permits in January 1902. 339 burial permits later, the last was issued in February of 1912. (these can be found on findagrave.com or at the Chicago Heights Free Public Library) Many founding members of the city were buried there. A 1907 map of Chicago Heights shows a large plot along 28th street (no longer an actual street) across from Ludowici-Celadon Co., a terra-cotta and tile roofing company long gone. Also in the area was a brick company due to the rich clay deposits.

As years passed those who visited loved ones in Bloomvale Cemetery passed away as well, to be buried elsewhere, and it sort-of was forgotten. After the closing of the terra cotta and brick companies in that area, two landfills crept up there, originally beginning to fill the clay hole from the brick factory. Years passed, and the boundaries of the cemetery have gotten smaller. A current map of the area only shows the cemetery as a small patch along that side of the road, a fraction of its representation on the 1907 map.

Bloomvale's size is quite large on this 1907 map

The Chicago Heights Historic Preservation Advisory Committee landmarked it in June of 2000. VERY little is known about our little cemetery encircled by landfills – and that brings me to our plea. If anyone has any recollections, pictures, information, etc about Bloomvale Cemetery, post it in the comments below or email us directly. When does a cemetery cease to be a cemetery? I say never, and it is time to reclaim it.

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Driving the Dixie – Chicago Heights Stop

Saturday, June 18th
Many classic cars, ranging from Model A Ford’s to anything from the present, each year “Cruise the Dixie” (Highway) from Blue Island to Momence.
Stops are made along the way in several of the cities and everyone has a great time while celebrating a piece of history.
The stopping spot in Chicago Heights this year will be
The Union Street Gallery (1527 Otto Blvd.) An amazing adaptive reuse of a historic – local landmark – building!
Inside the gallery will be refreshments and an exhibit on historic Lincoln Highway – which paired with Dixie Highway gives Chicago Heights her nickname – Crossroads of the Nation.
ALL are welcome to come on by to see the cars come through and experience some Chicago Heights history inside our fantastic art gallery.
Gallery will be open from 9AM – 2PM
Cars come by approximately 10am-Noon

Cars at Chicago Heights's 2010 Driving the Dixie stop

Chicago Heights: The Crossroads of the Nation

Welcome to Chicago Heights – and the “Crossroads of the Nation” - the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Dixie Highway (U.S. 30 & U.S. 1).  Here is how Chicago Heights, Illinois, became “The Crossroads of the Nation”.

Long ago, this area was home to Native Americans. Small family groups lived along Thorn Creek attracted by fertile hunting and a reliable source of water. As you may know, Chicago Road/Dixie Highway has long been a thoroughfare – it originated as the Vincennes Trace, and later, called Hubbard’s trail, for Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard’s 1827 journey to Danville to gather men to defend Fort Dearborn from possible Native American attack. (A journey some said made Paul Revere’s ride seem easy!) It was a pathway used by Native Americans, early explorers, fur trappers and settlers.

Absolem Wells, of African decent, is credited with being the first to settle here, then known as Thorn Grove. He arrived in the spring of 1833 and built his cabin along the banks of Thorn Creek at 13th street – just about a block north of Rt. 30 (Lincoln Highway). The second family – the Browns – settled at the intersection of Hubbard’s and Saulk Trails ( a couple of miles south). The intersection became known as “Brown’s corners”. Their daughter – Lovinia- was the first child born to settlers here. It is interesting to note that the Browns were very friendly with the Potowatami who camped near them during their travels between their summer and winter homes (Canada / Iowa).
In 1835, the Vincennes Trace was established as the 1st official state Road– the route between Vincennes and Chicago – now known here as Chicago Road.

The boom began. In 1849 the settlement’s name was changed to Bloom. Chicago Heights was incorporated in 1892.
By 1897 the area was served by 38 rail roads, state of the art shipping facilities and about 20 factories.
In 1900 Bloom High School was organized and the City hall /Bloom H.S. building was built (site of parking lot between Rec. Center and library). The first of our four corners.

Population reached 5,100 and in 1901 and we became an official city. By 1910 pop had reached 14,535.
In response to the population increase and the number of industries in the area St. James hospital was opened and dedicated on Thanksgiving Day 1911 with 50 beds. (Several expansions later, it stands at the second corner) The saint at the corner is Our Lady of the Wayside.

About 1912 Carl Fisher began his propaganda of the concept of improved highways and organized the Lincoln Highway Association. In 1915 he did the same for the Dixie Highway.
In 1916  the Arche’ Fountain (back to corner #1) was built to celebrate the intersection of the 1st two U.S. transcontinental highways – becoming known as “the Crossroads of the Nation”.

Designed by George Ganiere and commissioned by the Arche’ Women’s Club which at the time was one of the largest Women’s clubs in the Chicago area. The torche is the insignia of the club. My favorite quote of the three on the fountain is “We find ourselves in the peaceful possession of the fairest portion of the earth. A Lincoln.” Today this corner is hardly peaceful, but the quote does give us a sense of the importance of this place.

The Arche Fountain making a splash - Memorial Day 2011

The fountain’s “purist artesian water” (uh, at the time that phrase was written it was well water ) has served to cool and quench many a pedestrian in this busy intersection. My daughters and I drank from it this past Memorial Day, my six-year-old proclaiming it the most refreshing water she has ever drank.

Recent article featuring the fountain

To the north, the third corner, is The Mound. A memorial to those who have lost their lives in world wars, it serves as a place to honor our nation’s military. In the 1920s WWI vets posed for a picture here – at the time only three flags and stone monument were present. The Chicago Heights Builder’s Committee built the plaza around it sometime in the 1980s.

Yearly we as a community celebrate Memorial Day here and in 2010 the city unveiled the vintage polychrome terra-cotta wall – moved from its original location on the VFW hall built on E. Illinois Street. It’s placing here was made possible through a donation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In October 2010 the soldier farthest to the left was added to include our female military, military of color and to represent the Coast Guard.

Gathering at The Mound - Memorial Day 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth corner is the recent sculpture of Abraham Lincoln receiving flowers from two children entitled “Lincoln on the Road to Greatness”.  The statue was dedicated in 2003, and was funded by private donations- including 200,000 pennies collected by local students. It is noted as one of few depictions of Lincoln smiling.

 

Southtown article on the statue
In 1992 the Lincoln Highway Association reactivated and remains active in promoting the highway and its history. In 2000 Lincoln Highway became a National Scenic Byway.

Another link to story about Lincoln Highway and “The Crossroads”

Crossroads of the Nation talk, 2010

Dart Files

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Dartian bell tower

So here are some pictures I took of the Dart designed church – with my old phone. I appologize for the not-so-crisp images.

Hello world!

Today some of the committee members went to see the Edward Dart designed church on Macarthur. Awesome design! The congregation there is the Emmaus Community, and K turned us on to start this blog. Cannot wait to talk to the rest of the committee and see how we can feature this building, built in 1959 for St. Ambrose. Much of the integrity remains. Maybe it can be on our housewalk  on September 18, 2010.

More on Edward Dart http://www.chicagobauhausbeyond.org/cbb/mission/edart.htm

http://www.jetsetmodern.com/dart.htm

“Trained at Yale’s School of Architecture, Edward Dart came to Chicago after World War II to establish a private practice. Later, as partner in the large Loebl Schlossman Bennett firm, Dart was chief designer of the influential vertical shopping mall Water Tower Place (Chicago) and St. Procopius Abbey (Lisle, Illinois).”

As you can tell, this is our first time blogging…find out more about us at www.chhpac.com