Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemoration

Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society The museum is also proud of the exhibitRay President’s Letter Bradbury: Waukegan’s Influence on a Visionary. Dennis Moisio This exhibit is in celebration of Ray Over the past few years we have commemorated and Bradbury’s 90th birthday and looks at the life celebrated the anniversaries of significant events in of the author from when he was growing up our local history. This year we turn our attention to in Waukegan to his prolific career as a fantasy, one of the defining events of our nation’s history— horror, science-fiction and mystery writer. the Civil War. The exhibit focuses on the booksDandelion When the war began, in April, 1861, Waukegan Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes, had only been on the map for about 20 to 25 years and Farewell Summer that take place in the and just a city for two. How did its citizens (about fictional town of Green Town, a pseudonym for 3400 people in 1860) respond to the looming conflict Waukegan. facing the nation? We will explore this question with There are also other great events scheduled a terrific new exhibit opening at the Museum in mid- throughout the spring and summer at the April. So be sure to come and see it. Waukegan History Museum, and we hope you We have a full line up of other events this spring can make it in to see the new exhibits. and early summer as well. As usual, the Society will If you would like to take a more active ap- meet in both April and May and we will host our proach as a volunteer at the museum, research Inside annual Tour of Homes on Sunday, June 26th. I’d like library, or during special events, please contact WHS Board Pages 3, 5 to extend a special invitation on behalf of the Board the museum at (847)336-1859. Officers Upcoming Events to the Annual Meeting of the Society on May 15th. President Dennis Moisio Pages 6-7 This year’s meeting is a special one where we will Exhibits Vice President be honoring and thanking both our volunteers and Doug Stiles Pages 8-9 dedicated members for their service to us. See the Historically Speaking Treasurer invitation enclosed in this newsletter for the details. Yvonne Sylvester Pages 12-13 We look forward to seeing you there. Secretary Recent Acquisitions Heritage Ellen Frew Page 14 Directors Area Events Preservation Fund Betsy Alleman Museum Supervisor’s Report The Board of Directors recently established the Ty Rohrer Gretta Dieck Heritage Preservation Fund to provide the finan- Mary Goljenboom cial support for the long-term preservation of the The Waukegan History Museum celebrates the 150th Sara Griffin work and the historical materials of the Waukegan anniversary of the start of the American Civil War Jim Maguire Historical Society. Separate accounts will exist (1861-1865) with the exhibit The Civil War: The War Denyse Waters within the Fund for specific projects, activities and Efforts in Waukegan. collections, and for designated memorial funds. The The exhibit opens April 12, 2011 and is scheduled initial focus of the Fund will be to provide financial to run through the year. Events leading up to the war, support for the proposed new building addition. the war years, and the post-war reconstruction ef- Please consider supporting this Fund with a year- forts are focused in the exhibit. Local events and key end contribution or a gift in memory of a treasured individuals such as the “little drummer boys” Orion person or event. and Lyston Howe are also showcased. 2 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 3 Tour of Homes Meeting and Program Tour of Homes Sunday, June 26, 2011 A Beginner’s Guide to The Tour of Homes is an annual event that show- the Golden Age of Radio cases the beautiful homes of Waukegan. Participants Waukegan’s Influence on a Visionary are able learn the history of some of the finest homes Steve Darnall in the city as well as tour their interiors. The Tour of Sunday, April 3 at 2:00p.m. Homes, started in 1969, is the main fundraiser of the Jack Benny Center for the Arts-Shornick Theatre Waukegan Historical Society. 39 Jack Benny Drive-Bowen Park-North Entrance This presentation revisits those thrilling days of yes- Featured homes for 2011: teryear-the dawn of radio in America and its growth 614 N. Genesee Street into the nation’s first mass medium. Purchase your tickets now 918 N. Sheridan Road This program includes background information at these locations! 434 Center Street and evocative sound clips of some of the biggest 310 Douglas Avenue names to emerge from the Golden Age of Radio and Waukegan History The Waukegan History Museum in Bowen Park discussion about radio’s unique ability, then as now, Museum to engage the imagination. 1917 N. Sheridan Road Waukegan, IL 60087 Steve Darnall is the publisher of “Nostalgia Digest (847)-336-1859 Waukegan, A History Magazine” a quarterly magazine devoted to chroni- Waukegan: A History, by Ed Link, is available at the cling life during the Golden Age of Entertainment, Jack Benny Center Waukegan History Museum and local retail outlets and the host of “Those Were the Days” (heard every 39 Jack Benny Drive for $20. We can also mail the book to you or to a Saturday on WDCB-FM) and “Radio’s Golden Age” Waukegan, IL 60087 friend. See the web site for more information. (hear every Sunday at yesterdayusa.com). (847)-360-4740 Ed Link’s lively text explores the rich and diverse The Society will have a brief meeting prior to history of Waukegan and takes the reader from its the program that will include an update on Society Victorian House Antiques happenings as well as nominations for Board of 650 Grand Avenue earliest beginnings to today. Directors. Waukegan, IL 60085 Over 200 photographs, maps, and other images (847)-599-0325 from the Waukegan Historical Society archives and other sources, including many never previously Old Yearbooks Advance tickets $12. published, bring the story of Waukegan to life. Available We have inventoried our Waukegan High School Yearbooks and found that we have many duplicates. Oral History Project If you are in need of a yearbook, please give the We are assembling an Oral History Team to go out Research Library a call (847)360-4772 to see if the and interview throughout the community. If you year(s) you need are available. A $10 donation is are interested in being part of this unique project appreciated for each yearbook. We can also mail the to record the history of Waukegan, please call the books out if needed, and there will be a slight post- museum at (847)336-1859. age and handling fee.

4 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 5 Beautiful Bowen Park Guided Tour Bowen Heritage Circle Sign-up for a free guided tour of beautiful History Classes Bowen Park! On the tour you will learn about the early years of the property when it was Presented by the Waukegan Park District inhabited by Native Americans, the first set- To register for a class, please call the Jack Benny tlers to claim the land, the period of time when Center (847)360-4740 or visit waukeganparks.org. it was called the Bowen Country Club, and the later years as Waukegan’s largest park. The Bowen Country Club, operated by the Make History Matter Jane Adams Hull House of Chicago from 1912 (High School Students) to 1962, was a summer camp for the under- Students, build your resume by volunteering for the privileged children of Chicago. You will learn Waukegan History Museum and Research Library. about the buildings that were constructed for Learn how you can make a difference in the telling the camp and the many things that were offered and preserving of Waukegan’s history. to the campers. Space is limited; please pre-register by phone Walking on the trails in the park, flower and (847)336-1859 or (847)360-4740 by May 2. wildlife will be pointed out along with discus- Place: Lilac Cottage sion on how the park’s natural habitat is being Date: May 9 preserved. Time: 5:00-6:30pm The tour will start outside of the Waukegan Cost: Free History Museum and will conclude with a tour Class Number #4562 of Lilac Cottage. The tour will last approximately 1 to 1.5 Junior Historian Workshop: hours. Walking will include hills, trails, and Civil War Drummers uneven ground. (4-8 years old; parent or guardian must attend) Date: Saturday, May 21 Ty Rohrer, the Waukegan History Museum Place: Start at Waukegan History Museum Supervisor, will introduce children and their par- Time: 11:00am-12:30pm ents to the life of a young drummer in the Civil War. Cost: Free Everyone will sample soldier’s food, and parents will Class Number #4589 assist their child in making a Civil War drum. Register by May 14 Children will learn to play their drums to simple songs and rhythms from the era and have their pic- Date: Wednesday, July 22 ture taken in soldier’s clothing. Register by July 9. Place: Start at Waukegan History Museum Place: Lilac Cottage Time: 10:00-11:30am Date: July 16 Cost: Free Time: 10:00-11:30am Class Number #4590 Cost: $20 Residents/$25 Non-residents Register by July 15 Class Number #4581

6 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 7 Historically Speaking Civil War Snippets Ed Link Ed Link (along with others) has been busy doing re- search on the Civil War and its impact on the citizens of Waukegan. This research will be used in the 2011 Oakwood Cemetery Walk and the new Civil War exhibit at the Waukegan History Museum. Below is a “snippet” of some of the information on the Civil War that Ed has compiled.

A Short History of the 96th Regiment When President Abraham Lincoln put out a call for additional volunteers in the summer of 1862, two northern Illinois counties responded. Since neither county could, by itself, gather enough men to fill an entire regiment (about 1000 men), Jo Daviess and Lake counties combined to form the 96th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. These two counties, from opposite sides at the top Henry Blodgett of the state, were united through the friendship of U.S. Representative E.B. Washburne of Galena and State Senator H.W. Blodgett of Waukegan. Ten companies (six from Jo Daviess and four from Lake) were assembled at Camp Fuller near Rockford. Regimental officers were selected. Colonel Thomas E. Champion of Warren and Major John C. Smith of Galena represented Jo Daviess County and Lieutenant Colonel Isaac L. Clarke of Waukegan represented Lake County. Letters were drawn from a hat to designate the individual companies. A, E, F, H, I and K went to Jo Daviess and B, C, D, and G went to Lake. These labels would remain with the companies and their men throughout the Civil War…. To find out the rest of the story of the 96th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, visit the exhibit The Civil War: The War Efforts in Waukegan at the Waukegan History Museum, opening April 12, 2011. 8 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 9 people from carbon monoxide poisoning. Since Preservation Corner the devastating fire in 1984, the Karcher Hotel has Something good is happening for all of Lake County, sat empty. On August 9, 2002 it was listed on the and it’s happening on Washington Street at the for- National Register of Historic Places. mer Karcher Hotel. A nationally-recognized non- After years of ideas and proposals for what to do profit developer, Artspace, has secured more than with the building, as well as concerns of demolition, 95 percent of the $12.5 million needed to turn this the Karcher Hotel will again be an iconic structure abandoned building into an arts facility with 36 units on the Waukegan skyline with the assistance and of affordable “live/work” space for artists and their guidance of Artspace. families. Artspace owns and operates 27 successful projects in 17 cities across the country and is widely regarded at the nation’s leading developer of proper- Chicago Metro ties of this type. Artspace projects operate in the black, pay taxes, History Fair Award and are self-supporting. They have 100% occupancy, often with waiting lists. The challenge to Waukegan The Waukegan Historical Society would like to con- is to raise the final $500,000 and a local task force is gratulate all of the Waukegan High School students already hard at work securing contributions. Events and their fine efforts in this year’s Chicago Metro at the Waukegan Chamber of Commerce, the Lake History Fair competition. The Historical Society County Bar Association, and in partnership with the gives a $500 award to the top project in recognition Lake County Art League have been held, and more of excellence in the study, research, and presenta- are planned. To find out more and get involved, tion of projects focusing on the history of Waukegan, contact Jane Waller ([email protected]) or Illinois. artspacewaukegan.org. We are pleased to announce the 4th Annual Waukegan Historical Society Metro History Fair A Brief History Winner: Lakehurst: The Rise and Fall–Carolina Sanchez, of the Karcher Hotel Hector Uriostegui, Miguel Garcia The Karcher Hotel has been an icon in the Waukegan skyline since it opened its doors in 1928. Honorable Mentions: It was originally a luxurious 150 room hotel that The Karcher Hotel–Danielle Cherry, Allisyn Ruttle, also had retail, restaurant, and office space on the Lindsey Bennett, David Baza, Samantha Kinard first two floors. The building stands over 100 feet tall The True Colors of Waukegan High School–Citlally and is a modified Italian Classical Revival design in Delgado, Karina Perez, Megan Cook, Kimberly light gray terra cotta, red and dark brick, and gray Anilao, Yesenia Rodriguez pulsichrome terra cotta. Effect of the EJ&E–Khizar Khan, Chris Matute, Kevin The hotel played a prominent role in downtown Rivera Waukegan until after World War II. Frog Island–Michelle Johnson, Sydney Gartley Attempts to revive the building ended in 1984 when a fire broke out on the main floor killing eight 10 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 11 Margaret Denny Recent Donations Dissertation-Kate Cory: From Commerce to Art David Van Abel Grayslake Historical Society WWII Pilot’s Jacket Waukegan Speedway Park Programs Typewriter from Greiss-Pfleger Tannery Ann Darrow Steven & Patricia Ludwig Drs. M. & D. Fedder Orthopedic Pamphlet Security Savings Bank Books Mrs. E.S. Boyer Jr. Wendy Dixon in memory of Larry Dixon Chicago North Shore Railroad Pictures Political Pins Book and Information Men’s Jewelry Thank you for your recent Lake Villa Historical Society High School Yearbooks Typewriter from Greiss- donations to our Museum Graduation Photograph from North Shore Studio Reunion Book Ellen Frew Pfleger Tannery and Library collections. Newspaper Clippings Dorothy Fuhrman Patterns of History Pamphlet 1835-1899 Waukegan-It’s History Waukegan Souvenirs Betsy Alleman Harry Kilbane Advertisement 1907 Waukegan Business College Picture Photograph of Fishing Nets Jane Wilcox Harry Came 1953 Waukegan History Book Silver Wilcox Genealogy Eamon A. Rago Photographs of model Railroad Cars Union Pacific Book Notice of Pace Budget Hearing Ed Link Veterans’ Day Program (11-11-10) Orpheum Theater-1928 Newspaper Article Rich Ribando Thank You! EJ&E Statue Newspaper Article New Members Howard & Cleone Peterson Estate Eddie Kristan Piano Sheet Music Eleanor Hall Genesee Theatre Newspaper Clippings Janice Byers Photographs of Ocean Spray Fire Steven Wool Zion Cookie & Lace Factory Construction Photographs Baptist Church on Genesee Street Construction New Life Members Photographs Gregory Alloian Belvidere & Powell Store & Apartments Construction Donations Photographs Sophia Ninos City of Waukegan Howard & Cleone Petersen Memorial Fund Veterans & War Memorabilia Harry Came (Heritage Preservation Fund in honor of Kristina M. Simms Hazel Came) Photographs and Negatives William Tyre (Heritage Preservation Fund in honor of Waukegan Public Library Hazel Came) City Directories Waukegan High School Yearbooks Doug Stiles Land Grant Papers 12 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 13 Free History Programs Join Us! From the Waukegan Historical Society For your organization, group, social event, or class- NAME(S) room. MEMBERSHIP Topics include: Senior (age 60+) $7.00 Early Native American History of the Waukegan Student $7.00 ADDRESS Area Individual $15.00 Family $25.00 History of Waukegan (settlement to today) CITY Patron, Organization $50.00 Jack Benny-From Waukegan to Hollywood Life, Individual $100.00 STATE ZIP Waukegan and the Underground Railroad Life, Couple $150.00 My additional gift $______Waukegan’s Famous Civil War Drummer Boys PHONE

Abraham Lincoln Goes To Waukegan EMAIL Make checks payable to Waukegan Historical Society. Ray Bradbury: Waukegan’s Influence on a Visionary VOLUNTEER “What’s in a Name?” (learn about streets, build- Please contact me about volunteer opportunities. ings, and parks in Waukegan that have been named for early prominent residents of the city) Bowen Country Club—The Jane Addams Hull House in Waukegan Contact Us Hours Lake Michigan Shipwrecks Waukegan Historical Society John L. Raymond Research Library Waukegan and the Motion Picture Industry 1917 N. Sheridan Road Wednesday, Thursday, Friday “What-Cha-Ma-Call-It” History Trunk (hands- Waukegan, IL 60087 10am - 2:30pm 847-336-1859 on program designed for the classroom) [email protected] Waukegan History Museum Program length is 45 minutes to 1 hour. Many in Bowen Park programs are multimedia presentations with hands- John L. Raymond Research Library Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday on artifacts. Programs can be given for multiple 1911 N. Sheridan Road 10am - 4pm classrooms on the same day and can be presented to Librarian: Beverly Millard Additional times by appointment. children and adults. Museum staff or volunteers will 847-360-4772 present the program. These programs reached 2,500 [email protected] Waukegan students in the 2009-2010 school year. Waukegan History Museum Visit our website for more information For more information and to schedule a free pro- in Bowen Park about events, exhibits, and our gram, please call or email the Waukegan Historical 1917 N. Sheridan Road extensive library. Society. Museum Supervisor: Ty Rohrer 847-336-1859 www.waukeganhistorical.org [email protected]

14 Spring 2011 Newsletter of the Waukegan Historical Society 15 1917 N. Sheridan Rd, Waukegan, IL 60087 Annual Meetings and Programs A Beginner’s Guide to the Golden Age of Radio Sunday, April 3 at 2p.m. See page 5. Volunteer Recognition and Annual Meeting Sunday, May 15 at 2p.m. See page 9.