The traffic lights on North Ave in Melrose Park were timed to make drivers stop nearly every light, to hurt the street racers.
Forum: General Discussion

Someone asked "..Chevrolet dealer with my dad at or around 53rd and Ashland ?" Ferrell-Hicks Chevy, at 5727 south Ashland, on Google Earth the lot is still there empty. Here is a picture of an old F-H matchbook: http://chuckmanchicagonostalgia.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/matchbook-chicago-ferrell-hicks-chevrolet-5727-s-ashland/
Forum: General Discussion

Balzekas is now just used cars, btw. Also, on Irving Park was Kronon Lincoln-Mercury at Kostner, now a Subaru store. The Saturn of Chicago building is still empty. And in the early 70's on Irving Park just west of Harlem, was a tiny dealer called Byrd Datsun. It's still a repair shop, was only a Datsun dealer for a few years.
Forum: General Discussion

Adventureland closed in late 70's and moved some rides to Santa's Village. The site is now part of DuPage Co. Forest Preserves. For awhile in the 80's the old parking lot sat with overgrown weeds, but now covered with mounds of dirt.
Forum: General Discussion

Between 1200s and 3100s the east west steets were laid out long before the Brennan 8 blocks per mile standard. These streets and addressing are also used in DuPage county by Oak Brook, Lombard, and Downers Grove. Aligned with Roosevelt rd, 22nd and 31st St.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Pure Oil was sold to Union Oil and by 1970, they were all branded 'Union 76'. However, Union Oil's '76' brand was formed in 1932, long before the Bicentennial. '76' refered to the 'Spirit of 1776' and 76 Octane. Union was based in S. California, then were bought by ConocoPhillips.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

It was Pueblo between Belmont and Foster/Bryn Mawr [?] until around 1980. Addison CTA buses westbound said 'Addison-Pueblo' still when I was in HS, '75-'79. It was strange that city had the both Pueblo and then Cumberland at the I-90 interchange for a major street. The area between 8400-8800w and Bryn Mawr/Foster was not annexed until 1958, so maybe that was why Cumberland name was in use nort
Forum: General Discussion

Maybe check with Chicago Broadcasting Museum or look up old Tribune or Daily News 'TV Previews' at a library.
Forum: General Discussion

76 brand gasoline is now owned by ConocoPhillips, and is still around on the West coast. A campaign called 'Save The 76 Ball' kept them from killing the brand off.
Forum: General Discussion

HI, sorry no pics were taken specifically. But some cars would get egged. The 76-77 Dodge Royal Monaco cop cars stood out since not many civilians bought them. The Chevys blended in better, I think. It seemed like CPD made huge buy of 71 and 72 Chevy Biscaynes, most of the 60's cars were beat up and taken off the streets by spring '72.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

There was a Centrella store at SE corner of Division and LeClaire, in Austin, called Stella Bros in mid 60's that my mom walked to often. After the 1967 snowstorm, they saved milk in storeroom for families with kids, to prevent hoarders. My mom went there and one manager said 'you got kids right?, here's some milk'. A convienience store is there, now, last I checked in same building. i.e. ha
Forum: General Discussion

Also, wanted to thank for the link to story of the Central av 'jog'. I always wondered why, along with other street jogs, like Austin, Nagle, and Oak Park. The Lawrence/Gunnison change over is so confusing if you are not local. Why not just say 'Lawrence' all the way?
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Ever wonder why Narragansett [6400w] isn't called Ridgeland Av. as the rest of Cook County? . It's because there was already a Ridgeland Av. on the city's SE side, and no repeating street names within city limits, per Brennan Street layout.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

Chicago tried to create a "celebrate 2001 as the beginning of the 21st Century" festival, but 2000 was what ended up being the big New Year by everyone, so it was dropped.
Forum: General Discussion

Remeber the plane that skidded and then killed the young boy in 2007? This is why. If Midway closed up, Clearing would turn into West-West Englewood overnight. It's more important for a vital MDW than old buildings that a plane could hit.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

The Walgreens is one of that chain's oldest, still standing. The strip mall behind it is where the Mercusry stood.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

NIMBY-ism may have stopped the proposed subways, along with spending for the X-ways. Regarding gas stations, in old days cars broke down more often and tires were not as durable, so there were more places to stop and get service. Only had maybe 4 gas pumps, compared to the big self serve places now. There were more independent gas stations too.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

My dad was CPD from 1957-1993, and he got some unmarked cars to take home. CPD bought cars from all the Big 3. Chevy , Ford, Dodge/Plymouth . Even some Olds 88 detective cars, in 1971. In the 60's they would go between Chevy and Plymouth. The 70's were mostly Chevy BelAirs, with some Dodge Monacos aka 'Bluemobiles' around 1974-77. Then Chevy Impala/Caprice until 1996, and Ford Crown Vics ti
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

"...Nickey Chevrolet which is now the Comcast facility" Now it is a townhouse development, no trace of businesses.
Forum: General Discussion

St Pascals flyer Well, I checked on Google and got the above link which claims "We are not closing".
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

I just remember hearing 'dont go in alleys at night' and the lights were to scare away 'the boogeyman'.
Forum: General Discussion

When I graduated St. Pascals in 1975, there were 106 of us 8th graders! I was thinking school would do well now, with all the Polish Catholic immigrants.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

I remember alley lights going in, and it was a big deal for safety in mid 60's.
Forum: General Discussion

It's amazing that HIP outlasted Brickyard mall, but then HIP fought back and won.
Forum: General Discussion

"And PETA would argue that" Ummm, humans are not the only beings that are carnivores, duh. Let's stick to Chicago History.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

When Jack I-T-B was here, they were owned by Ralston Purina and were going national. Then when RP sold the chain, they cut back to the western states. Southern IL is really the start of the 'southwest US'.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Tading stamps were valuable to working families back in 40's. Story in my family is when my aunt was 3 or 4, she took my grandmother's S&H stamps and stuck them on the fridge for fun. Gram was crying about it when my mom came home from school.
Forum: General Discussion

Cabrini-Green buildings took the place of most of the 'disappeared' side streets.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

The Forge was like a Ponderosa, not upscale, but not fast food.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

The S&H office building and warehouse was at 294 and 290 interchange in Hillside. The Office building was torn down in 90s, was only built in 1968 or so. The warehouse is subdivided. The rotating signs were gone by 1980 or so.
Forum: General Discussion