A look back at Elgin’s lazy days of summer   July 27th, 2009

July 26, 2009

What was happening in Elgin during the month of July 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 years ago?

 

In 1909 … • Replying to a wife’s suit for divorce, her husband claimed she was an uncongenial marital companion. He also claimed she was cross, mean or had an irritable disposition, and wore false teeth.

• After passage of a favorable referendum, the board of education was making plans to issue bonds to expand the high school building.

• Police issued an order prohibiting the exhibition of hypnotized persons in store windows.

• The word “insane” was dropped from the name of the local state hospital.

• The Commercial Club announced the Western Thread Co. of Chicago would move to Elgin. The club gave the firm a $4,000 bonus, and Western Thread agreed to erect a building and employ at least 60 persons.

• The YWCA suggested to mothers that young girls not be allowed on the streets in the evenings during the National Guard encampment unless properly chaperoned.

• Harness racing meets were held on the speedway at Wing Park.

 Elgin’s population was estimated at 25,116 for the annual school census. Women outnumbered men by more than a thousand.

 

In 1934 … • Blackie, a big female bear, who had been a resident of Lords Park Zoo for 36 years, had to be put to death because she was suffering from cancer.

• A basket of peaches was selling for 35 cents at Scheele’s grocery.

• The city endured more than six consecutive days of 100-degree heat.

• Voters rejected Sunday sales of beer by a vote of 2,999 to 2,906

• A Hupmobile Sedan was selling for $888 delivered.

• The Purple Grackle advertised free dancing with no minimum or cover charge. Pabst Blue Ribbon draft beer was available at its 50-foot-long bar.

 

In 1959 … • Boy Scouts summer camping program was held at Camp Big Timber.

• Two women were arrested on adultery charges.

• Alan Ladd was starring in “Shane” at the Grove Theater.

 

In 1984 … • A home at 326 E. Chicago St., built in 1897, was restored for the Neighborhood Housing Services offices.

• An eight-man horseshoe league was competing at the Wing Park pits.

• Work was started on the installation of traffic signals at North McLean and Royal boulevards.

 

In 1999 …

 • An Elgin man and two juveniles were in custody after breaking into Anderson Animal Shelter and stealing a pit bull.

• After two years, the Riverside Water Treatment Plant expansion was completed. It doubled the daily treatment capacity to 32 million gallons.

• A yearlong schedule began at three elementary schools.

• A little-known community volunteer bequeathed $1.14 million to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Gail Borden Public Library, YWCA Elgin, churches and other organizations.

• Leath Furniture was taking steps to leave Elgin.

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 11:24 pm and is filed under E. C. Mike Alft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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