My first library, in about the late 40s, was a branch library in a store front, located just east of Halsted on the north side of Fullerton. It was at this library that I checked out my very first book, written by L. Frank Baum. Thanks to one of my elementary school teachers who read a part of Baum's Wizard of Oz, shortly before the end of the school each day, to the rapt attention of every kid in
Forum: General Discussion

In the book: Streetwise Chicago: A History of Chicago Street Names by Don Hayner and Tom McNamee (1988), the authors comment that the card file of the City's Department of Maps and Plats is the final authority for street name changes. This is the web-site: City of Chicago Maps and Plats http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/maps_and_plats_kiosk.html This web-site is
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

bowler Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Also, Ambrose St. appears to have been around > since 1876 according to some Tribune references > I've found. This predates Carter Harrison. and also, on page 161 of the book, "Industrial Chicago: The building interests" published in 1891; the comment about Ambrose street in the year 1876: "
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Ambrose Street was changed to 22nd Place --- Range Changed: Leavitt to Wood http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~itappcnc/pipcnstreetfind.htm http://www.chicagohistory.org/documents/research/resources/streetNameChanges.pdf
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

davey7 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There IS a guy who does somewhat similar stuff, > though rather more Hopperesque through amber > lenses (well, more orange). I think there is > another who does something related. Edward Hopper is another favorite of mine; especially his Nighthawks.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

davey7 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You're very welcome. Many, if not most, of the > artists are not local. There are some who do paint > Chicago street/city scenes (and seem to have the > same paintings every year). Check it out if you > can, it's a pleasant afternoons outing and a good > excuse to explore the area. If I were to a
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

The Silsby Manufacturing Co. built the "Long John" fire engine and sold it to the city of Chicago in 1857; with an horizontal boiler. https://books.google.com/books?id=Pw4OAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=History+of+the+American+Steam+Fire-Engine&hl=en&sa=X&ei=28f9VIeGM4arNpLKg9gB&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=chicago&f=false Also, the Chicago Tribu
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Firefighting in the Horse-Drawn Era - Getting Water (K3 003) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mMlAlfjAXg Steam Fire Engine: 1899 American Steam Fire Engine; Restored and working https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnxkCW913E0
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

In February of 1858, Chicago acquired and tested its first steam fire engine, named the "Long John", after Mayor John Wentworth. The volunteer fire people did not like being replaced by a fire engine. The photo, a view northeast, taken by the photographer Alexander Hesler from the tower of the Court House, was also taken in the year 1858; and I suspect that the "Long John" f
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

These photographs are not the earliest ever taken of Chicago, however, they are 157 years old. Alexander Hesler - Chicago Photographer http://www.greatchicagofire.org/birds-eye-view-of-pre-fire-chicago/alexander-hesler-climbs-court-house The view to the southwest shows ship masts from ships docked on the river, and a bridge. And also, the gas holder at Chicago's first gas company and firs
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

davey7 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Many times visited, very little purchased. The > alternative/community art fair is to the east at > Bixler (Playlot). Lot of craft rather than fine > arts these days. Thanks for your reply. The art colony that existed near the location of the fair in the 40s and earlier, painted city scenes that appeal to
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Comments about house moving in this interesting book: Challenging Chicago: Coping with Everyday Life, 1837-1920 by Perry Duis https://books.google.com/books?id=ED2VkjX_0qkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Perry+R+Duis&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Nvz1VIuiJsWOyAT-zoGQBg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Inherited%20City&f=false
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

Another book that may be of interest: The Historic Chicago Greystone: A User's Guide for Renovating and Maintaining Your Home (Greystone Guides) https://books.google.com/books?id=OdiYJgAACAAJ&dq=The+Historic+Chicago+Greystone&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7p7zVI28C4qsyASe14LwBw&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA
Forum: General Discussion

Try this: http://www.chsmedia.org/househistory/polk/Menus/PolkA.pdf
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Richard Stachowski Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Is it still there? 57th Street Art Fair http://www.57thstreetartfair.org/
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

I have read that the Art Fair has been held on the first full weekend in June every year since 1948; on 57th Street between Kimbark and Kenwood Avenues. Have you attended this interesting Art Fair in the past? I am curious to know your thoughts; and did you make any purchases?
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Historic Aerials shows the Wright building at 7631 Sheridan Road in 1962; however, the 1974 aerial photo shows it, as now, replaced by the new building. http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?scale=2000&lon=-87.638369947672&lat=41.848169714212&year=2007 Oscar Steffens House, 7631 North Sheridan Road http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=IL&city=Ch
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

amybizzarri, There are comments and photos about Ada in this book: William Wrigley, Jr: The Founder of Wrigley's Gum https://books.google.com/books?id=ztMlGclffsgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=William+Wrigley+Jr&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jvPhVK3WMMe-ggTQx4KwBA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=ada&f=false
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Are you referring to an Ada Elizabeth Foote, that was married to William Wrigley Jr ? Philip Knight Wrigley, William's son, was married to Helen A. Wrigley. http://records.ancestry.com/ada_elizabeth_foote_records.ashx?pid=19388320
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

deleted
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

An informative book: Hidden History of Old Town by Shirley Baugher https://books.google.com/books?id=FW0Oa3blyoEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=hidden+old+town+history&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Nf_dVNH8B46nyASx_IGoDA&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hidden%20old%20town%20history&f=false
Forum: General Discussion

A very long time ago, Old Town was called the "Cabbage Patch," because cabbages were grown on the land by farmers, who later built the first homes of Old Town; not a very sophisticated name, back then. ;-)
Forum: General Discussion

Film critic Roger Ebert called the Old Town Ale House "The best bar in the world that I know about"; and his "biographical film Life Itself contains several interviews within the bar." I presume Ebert meant the original bar that opened in 1958 on the SW corner of North and Wieland (227 West North Ave.), and was later destroyed by fire.
Forum: General Discussion

The Old Town Ale House on the SW corner of North Avenue and Wieland Street, on weekends, in the mid 60s. I understand that there is an OTAH now located on the SE corner, across Wieland, on North. And, frequent visits to Barbara's Book Store during the same time frame. My great uncle operated a saloon on the NW corner of Wells and North Avenue, before Prohibition, in 1918.
Forum: General Discussion

Please, more information is needed.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

deleted
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

The Centennial Fountain and Water Cannon, built in 1989, to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the Chicago River, to solve the problems caused by the city’s poor sewer system. “The summit of the stepped granite pavilion represents the eastern continental divide (located just southwest of Chicago), with water flowing east to the Atlantic Ocean and west to the Gulf of Mexico.” http
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

deleted
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

A comment about the television series Bonanza - - Michelson in popular culture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_A._Michelson Also, mentioned in "Michelson in popular culture "Norman Fitzroy Maclean's essay "Billiards is a Good Game"; in The Norman Maclean Reader, "an appreciation of Michelson from Maclean's vantage point as a graduate student regularly watchi
Forum: General Discussion

deleted
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)