Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
The Chicago Beach Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.
The Chicago Beach Hotel was a luxury resort hotel located at 53rd Boulevard on the lakeshore in the "Indian Village" neighborhood of the Kenwood community, Chicago, Illinois.
The hotel was built in 1892 by Warren Leland and was one of many speculative hotels built to accommodate the hordes of tourists drawn by the upcoming World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. It contained 450 rooms, with 175 bathrooms. The property included private access to Lake Michigan's beach front.
The building resembled the Hyde Park Hotel and probably shared architects. Many Chicagoans of high social standing became residents and members. The building had private access to the beach until 1915 when the city created an adjacent bathhouse. It lost its beach frontage entirely in 1920 when the shoreline was moved more than a block eastward with a landfill project that created South Lake Shore Drive.
In 1921 a huge 12 story, 545-room addition was constructed on the eastern portion of the property. The original structure, by now outdated, was then demolished in 1927.
During World War II, the hotel served as a hospital for the army. After the war, the former hotel was used as apartment space before the entire structure was razed and the space became the location of the upscale Regents Park Apartments. The Algonquin Apartments, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, were built on the site of the original wing in 1950.
Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.
1960s & 70s Devon Avenue Bakeries in Chicago.
Devon Avenue in Chicago's West Ridge and Rogers Park communities was loaded with bakeries in the 1960s & 70s. If you know a bakery that belongs on this list, please leave the name and address in a comment below.
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| They are still open on Devon Avenue. |
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| Tel-Aviv is still open on Devon Avenue. |
Devon Avenue in Chicago's West Ridge and Rogers Park communities was loaded with bakeries in the 1960s & 70s. If you know a bakery that belongs on this list, please leave the name and address in a comment below.
DEVON AVENUE BAKERIES, EAST TO WEST.
Arfa Bakery, 1348 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoLitberg's Bakery, 1519 W Devon Avenue, Chicago.Nelson's Bakery, 2245 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoHeinemann's Bakery, 2255 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoDevon Bakery, 2301 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoBurny Bros. Bakery, 2433 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoSchlosser's Bakery, 2433 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoFarber's Bakery, 2502 1/2 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoGross Bakery, 2546 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoLeonard's Bakery, 2651 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoKuznitsky's Bakery, 2745 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoGitel's Kosher Pastry Shop, 2745 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoKnopov's Bakery, 2815 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoLevinson's Bakery, 2856 W Devon Avenue, ChicagoTel-Aviv Kosher Bakery, 2944 W Devon Avenue, Chicago
I lived one block North of Devon at 2800 West in the 1970s. We visited different bakeries to get what we loved: rye bread from one bakery, chocolate pastries from another, a special bakery to order awesome birthday cakes from, and Pecan Rolls from Levinson's Bakery, 2856 W Devon Avenue, with a pecan glaze to hold on to all the nuts.
We'd slice the tall, roundish (envision an upside-down cupcake) and 5 inches high. We'd cut the rolls into thirds, butter the inside and both sides of the middle slice, and put them in a hot skillet, butter side down, to toast. They still are the best ever!
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglass co-authored: "The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition."
Ida B. Wells grew up in the post–Civil War South and became a fierce opponent of lynching. She came to Chicago in 1893 to protest the exclusion of Negroes from exhibits at the World's Columbian Exposition. The Haitian building stood in as a center for Americans of color. Frederick Douglass, the noted abolitionist, and advocate for equal rights represented the Haitian government at the fair. Wells described Haiti's pavilion as “one of the gems of the World's Fair, and in it, Mr. Douglass held high court.”
Ida B. Wells Frederick Douglass
Wells and Douglass co-authored and published the book, "The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not In The World's Columbian Exposition." (in PDF Format)
As Wells described it, the booklet was a clear, plain statement of facts concerning the oppression put upon the colored people in this land of the free and home of the brave. We circulated ten thousand copies of this little book during the remaining three months of the fair. Every day I was on duty at the Haitian building, where Mr. Douglass gave me a desk and spent days putting this pamphlet in the hands of foreign visitors to the World's Fair.
Ultimately, the fair officials offered to sponsor a special day for Negroes. Wells and many other African Americans considered Negro Day little more than a gesture and were reluctant to participate. Frederick Douglass, however, took the opportunity to spotlight the problems that people of color faced in the United States. Douglass died in 1895, but Ida B. Wells moved permanently to Chicago and became involved in a wide range of civic and club activities like that of the Alpha [Woman's] Suffrage Club of Chicago. Wells was a Chicagoan until her death in 1931.
Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Wells and Douglass co-authored and published the book, "The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not In The World's Columbian Exposition." (in PDF Format)
As Wells described it, the booklet was a clear, plain statement of facts concerning the oppression put upon the colored people in this land of the free and home of the brave. We circulated ten thousand copies of this little book during the remaining three months of the fair. Every day I was on duty at the Haitian building, where Mr. Douglass gave me a desk and spent days putting this pamphlet in the hands of foreign visitors to the World's Fair.
Ultimately, the fair officials offered to sponsor a special day for Negroes. Wells and many other African Americans considered Negro Day little more than a gesture and were reluctant to participate. Frederick Douglass, however, took the opportunity to spotlight the problems that people of color faced in the United States. Douglass died in 1895, but Ida B. Wells moved permanently to Chicago and became involved in a wide range of civic and club activities like that of the Alpha [Woman's] Suffrage Club of Chicago. Wells was a Chicagoan until her death in 1931.
Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
“Barack Obama Day” is celebrated every August 4th which is his Birthday. It was made a state of Illinois holiday in 2018.
In historical writing and analysis, PRESENTISM introduces present-day ideas and perspectives into depictions or interpretations of the past. Presentism is a form of cultural bias that creates a distorted understanding of the subject matter. Reading modern notions of morality into the past is committing the error of presentism. Historical accounts are written by people and can be slanted, so I try my hardest to present fact-based and well-researched articles.
Facts don't require one's approval or acceptance.
I present [PG-13] articles without regard to race, color, political party, or religious beliefs, including Atheism, national origin, citizenship status, gender, LGBTQ+ status, disability, military status, or educational level. What I present are facts — NOT Alternative Facts — about the subject. You won't find articles or readers' comments that spread rumors, lies, hateful statements, and people instigating arguments or fights.
FOR HISTORICAL CLARITY
Illinois celebrated the first state holiday for the former President's birthday, "Barack Obama Day," on August 4, 2018.
When I write about the INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, I follow this historical terminology:
- The use of old commonly used terms, disrespectful today, i.e., REDMAN or REDMEN, SAVAGES, and HALF-BREED are explained in this article.
Writing about AFRICAN-AMERICAN history, I follow these race terms:
- "NEGRO" was the term used until the mid-1960s.
- "BLACK" started being used in the mid-1960s.
- "AFRICAN-AMERICAN" [Afro-American] began usage in the late 1980s.
— PLEASE PRACTICE HISTORICISM —
THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PAST IN ITS OWN CONTEXT.
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| Barack Hussein Obama was photographed for Rolling Stone magazine in 2012, just before beginning his second term as President of the United States. |
The day is "set apart to honor the 44th President of the United States of America who began his career serving the People of Illinois in both the Illinois State Senate and the United States Senate. He dedicated his life to protecting the rights of Americans and building bridges across communities."
Illinois Senate Bill 55 was passed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Republican, on August 4, 2017.
"It's incredibly proud of Illinois that the President came from Illinois. I think it's awesome, and we should celebrate it," Rauner said, "I don't think it should be a formal holiday with paid, forced time off, but I think it should be a day of acknowledgment and celebration." Barack Obama Day is a commemorative holiday but not a paid holiday, so government employees continue to work.
President Barack Obama (born August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA - not Kenya, Africa) is one of three presidents from Illinois, the other two being Abraham Lincoln (born near Hodgenville, Kentucky) and Ronald Reagan (born in Tampico, Illinois).
"It's incredibly proud of Illinois that the President came from Illinois. I think it's awesome, and we should celebrate it," Rauner said, "I don't think it should be a formal holiday with paid, forced time off, but I think it should be a day of acknowledgment and celebration." Barack Obama Day is a commemorative holiday but not a paid holiday, so government employees continue to work.
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| Barack Hussein Obama's baby picture, Circa 1961. |
NOTE: Perry County, Alabama, declared the second Monday of November to be Barack Obama Day.Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Monday, July 23, 2018
The Whole Story of the Choo-Choo Diner that Continues Today in Des Plaines, Illinois.
The first "Choo-Choo Limited Restaurant," a "restaurant designed with children in mind," opened at 4923 Oakton Street in Skokie on July 1, 1949, and was operated by Roy Ballowe and William Indelli. The Choo-Choo Limited had 19 seats and two O-scale trains: a Pennsylvania steam engine and a Santa Fe streamline diesel, each pulling about 6 food cars. Two waitresses with brakeman's caps reading "Choo-Choo" worked there, calling orders to the kitchen and listening for the cook's cry of "'Board!" with a steam whistle blast, indicating that food was ready. The waitresses used a numbered seat system and a control box to know where to stop the train.
As Ballowe once said, "Trains go fast, and that's how we wanted our customers to be served." The diner quickly became a source of popularity among adults and children alike. The idea for the Choo-Choo restaurant style was conceived while Roy served as a soldier in the Philippines. The rations served were less than ideal, and Ballowe dreamed of the kinds of food he'd like to have. After a fellow soldier complained about the "gravy train," the idea began to take shape in Roy Ballowe's mind. "Gravy train," thought the young Private. "Why not serve hamburgers on a model train? Kids love both of 'em." The Choo-Choo Limited Restaurant was featured on the Camel Caravan TV program. It was closed in 1956.
Roy Ballowe opened A second Choo-Choo in April of 1951 at 1114 Central Ave in Wilmette.
James Ballowe, Roy's brother, an Attorney by trade, opened the new Choo-Choo Diner at 600 Lee Street (at Miner Street) in Des Plaines opened in May of 1951, then followed by a Choo-Choo at 3352 West Foster Avenue in Chicago.
In 1956, a new, larger, freestanding building was built and is still in business.
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James donned the proper attire: an engineer's cap, a red bandanna around his neck, and a whistle he would blow whenever he sent the train around.
And according to Marilyn, Ray Kroc didn't think his restaurant would surpass the business the Ballowes were getting. He even paid the Ballowes a visit and reassured them that his restaurant would be no competition. He told them, "I don't have a place for people to sit down."
James and Marilyn Ballowe owned the diner for 25 years before James retired at age 68. Marilyn is happy to see the diner she and her husband created back in business. Says Marilyn, "I'm getting to enjoy it all over again."
In 1974, the Ballowes sold the business to George and Sue Doris, who ran the restaurant with the Mandas family as a partner. A few years later, George and Sure Doris bought and ran the Choo-Choo Diner entirely on their own until 2000, when Sue Doris died.
The current operator, Jean Paxton, has done a great job with the restaurant. The place is busier than ever, the food is delicious, and it's consistently sparkling clean. Equally importantly, she has shown a lot of respect for keeping it authentic, the same place we all remember going to as children.
The Choo-Choo Diner is still going strong today.
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
As Ballowe once said, "Trains go fast, and that's how we wanted our customers to be served." The diner quickly became a source of popularity among adults and children alike. The idea for the Choo-Choo restaurant style was conceived while Roy served as a soldier in the Philippines. The rations served were less than ideal, and Ballowe dreamed of the kinds of food he'd like to have. After a fellow soldier complained about the "gravy train," the idea began to take shape in Roy Ballowe's mind. "Gravy train," thought the young Private. "Why not serve hamburgers on a model train? Kids love both of 'em." The Choo-Choo Limited Restaurant was featured on the Camel Caravan TV program. It was closed in 1956.
Roy Ballowe opened A second Choo-Choo in April of 1951 at 1114 Central Ave in Wilmette.
James Ballowe, Roy's brother, an Attorney by trade, opened the new Choo-Choo Diner at 600 Lee Street (at Miner Street) in Des Plaines opened in May of 1951, then followed by a Choo-Choo at 3352 West Foster Avenue in Chicago.
In 1956, a new, larger, freestanding building was built and is still in business.
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| In 1956, the restaurant was popular enough that a new, larger, freestanding building was built, the Choo-Choo we all know today. This photo from 2008 is the owner's attempt to save the restaurant from a Condo developer who wanted the property. The Choo Choo won! |
Roy Ballowe later recalled that while Ray Kroc was preparing to open his first McDonald's, he stopped at the Choo-Choo in the Masonic Temple building in Wilmette to check out the other hamburger place in town. Kroc thought the Choo-Choo was a novel operation. Kroc assured him that he didn't think his hamburger restaurant would be competition since he didn't have seats or a train. After Kroc left, Ballowe remarked to his employees that McDonald's was a fly-by-night operation with no chance of survival and would never move as many burgers as the Choo-Choo. Many of Kroc's employees defected to the Choo-Choo because it could pay in cash instead of stock (several employees who stayed with McDonald's became very wealthy as a result). Ballowe never saw Kroc again. While cars took the place of trains, and McDonald's took the place of diners, the Choo-Choo has endured as home to the kid in all of us.
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| The new neon sign was identical to its 1950s appearance, except that the dash in Choo-Choo disappeared. |
The interior of the choo-choo is virtually identical to its 1956 appearance, with Formica surfaces, stainless steel equipment, terrazzo floors, wood paneling, and Naugahyde stools (though they were once light green); even the bathrooms and air conditioner are original.
And according to Marilyn, Ray Kroc didn't think his restaurant would surpass the business the Ballowes were getting. He even paid the Ballowes a visit and reassured them that his restaurant would be no competition. He told them, "I don't have a place for people to sit down."
In 1974, the Ballowes sold the business to George and Sue Doris, who ran the restaurant with the Mandas family as a partner. A few years later, George and Sure Doris bought and ran the Choo-Choo Diner entirely on their own until 2000, when Sue Doris died.
The Choo Choo serving train in action.
The current operator, Jean Paxton, has done a great job with the restaurant. The place is busier than ever, the food is delicious, and it's consistently sparkling clean. Equally importantly, she has shown a lot of respect for keeping it authentic, the same place we all remember going to as children.
The Choo-Choo Diner is still going strong today.
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
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