11-12-2008
( Reply#: 2432 ) |
Tom J |
Ok, here goes.
My name is Tom Johnson, and I was born in 1949 at St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond. I grew up on Woodward Avenue, which is only one block long, running parallel to Calumet Avenue and two blocks east of it. Woodward runs between 165th Street on the south to Cleveland Street on the north.
My dad, Paul Johnson, worked at the Edward C. Minas Company department store in downtown Hammond. Dad was in charge of both the Minas Parking Garage and the outdoor parking lot behind the Minas Store.
Dad also striped parking lots as a sideline business and was the proprietor of Tru-Line Striping Company.
I was graduated from Hammond High School in 1967.
I attended Purdue-Calumet for my first year of college and then went down to the main campus at West Lafayette for my final three years. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from Purude in June of 1971.
OK, who's next?
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/img014.jpg[/IMG]
My home on Woodward Avenue.
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/My%20house/6432WoodwardAvenuebigsnow1.jpg[/IMG]
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG]
|
11-14-2008
( Reply#: 2433 ) |
cartoonguy |
My name is Bill Andres,I lived on 173rd and Walnut Street, which is where I spent the most of my childhood. I was about fourteen years old when we moved to 177th Street in Hessville.
I went to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School from kindergarten to 6th grade. I attended Gavit High, for 7th and 8th grade, and then on to Morton High, until I graduated in 1978.
After High School, I went to work for the late Globe Roofing Co. in Whiting IN, until the big layoffs of the 1980's. Afterwards I started working in animated commercials in Chicago IL. That is when I left Hammond and lived in Chicago for about ten years, and then I moved to Glendale CA. when Walt Disney Studios called me, and that is where I reside today. |
11-15-2008
( Reply#: 2434 ) |
duane |
I prefer not to put personal info about myself on the web.
Suffice it to say, in the 1950's and 60's, (to quote Shep) "I festered as a youth in the steel mill towns on northern Indiana". |
11-15-2008
( Reply#: 2435 ) |
Bill Bucko |
It is better not to put personal details on the web, such as birthdates.
I'm Bill Bucko, lived on the 2600 block of Kenwood Street in Hessville (near the prairie and IHB rr yard); attended the brick Harding School, the wooden portable Harding on Cleveland Street for jr. high, and Morton. Read Mad magazine, hundreds of books, fooled around with model rockets, planned a career as a scientist but then read the greatest book I've ever come across, Atlas Shrugged. Met the author Ayn Rand in 1971 -- a wonderful experience.
Got 2 degrees in philosophy at Purdue University (minored in biology and chemistry). A free-thinker. Worked many years as a Montessori teacher, then as a computer helpdesk analyst, while plugging away at my primary career, writing. My fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The Atlantean Press Review and The Intellectual Activist.
My books:
The Mysterious Valley, my translation of Maurice Champagne's 1914 French adventure novel (The Atlantean Press, 1994);
Ayn Rand's French Children's Magazines, literary research (The Ayn Rand Institute Press, currently in press);
[IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/billbucko/translation.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/billbucko/ARI.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/billbucko/Outcasts.jpg[/IMG]
and 3 novels set in the early Italian Renaissance:
Bring Me Giants!, (my apprentice book; completed, but in need of revision);
The Outcasts, (my magnum opus; completed, and I'm currently approaching publishers; first 4 chapters are available on-line at
http://forums.4aynrandfans.com/index.php?showtopic=7583 , continuing at 7627 , 7652 , 7695 , and 7751 ;
Raphaella di Piero, (in progress).
Bill
[IMG]http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w292/billbucko/BillBucko.jpg[/IMG]
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
11-16-2008
( Reply#: 2436 ) |
seejay2 |
The only thing you guys are leaving out is your SSN and last year's tax returns.
Do you think all this personal information, for the whole world to see, is really necessary?
If that's what you want to do, go to MySpace.......Cj |
11-17-2008
( Reply#: 2437 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by seejay2
The only thing you guys are leaving out is your SSN and last year's tax returns.
Do you think all this personal information, for the whole world to see, is really necessary?
If that's what you want to do, go to MySpace.......Cj
I guess you and Duane are right, CJ. I have already gone back and deleted my birthday from my post, but maybe there is still too much info. I tend to be a trusting soul.
Hey, if someone stole my identity, THEY would be up to their eyeballs in debt instead of me! (But they would sure be handsome!) :)
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
11-18-2008
( Reply#: 2442 ) |
wvcogs |
Okay gang...
I was born during the third term of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt while World War II was still going strong.
Now, fast forward sixty five plus years: After attending school in Hammond, going to college for five years, and working for forty years including military service, my wife and I are retired and enjoying it.
Ken |
11-19-2008
( Reply#: 2448 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Since I am not a true Hammondite, I sometimes feel I should not be a part of this group, but I was a very good friend of Randy, Jean's younger brother and was a staff photographer for The Times for 10 years. I guess that gives me some credence. Randy and I ran around with a few others, Tom Roop, (Hessville) George Anderson, (Calumet Ave. Hammond) and Bob Anderson. I started with the paper in 1968 and was with them until 1978 when I moved out of the area. I met Jean on several occasions and have a ton of memories from those days. This site always reminds me of those memories. Thanks.
Al Vandever |
11-19-2008
( Reply#: 2449 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Vandever
Since I am not a true Hammondite, I sometimes feel I should not be a part of this group, but I was a very good friend of Randy, Jean's younger brother and was a staff photographer for The Times for 10 years. I guess that gives me some credence. Randy and I ran around with a few others, Tom Roop, (Hessville) George Anderson, (Calumet Ave. Hammond) and Bob Anderson. I started with the paper in 1968 and was with them until 1978 when I moved out of the area. I met Jean on several occasions and have a ton of memories from those days. This site always reminds me of those memories. Thanks.
Al Vandever
OF COURSE you should be a part of this group! Why would you even wonder about it? You do have very strong ties to Hammond, and we are very glad to have you. I'm not sure if any of the other regular posters ever met Shep.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
11-19-2008
( Reply#: 2450 ) |
Alan Vandever |
Thanks Tom,
I love this group because of all the memories it stirs. |
12-12-2008
( Reply#: 2471 ) |
Paddy |
Hi Folks:
From the previous introductions, most of you posters hail from the Hessville area. I was born and raised a block south of Bishop Noll High School, and eventually attended there. Hessvillites might consider the area to be North Hammond (I was going to say Hessvillians, but it just doesn't sound right). To me, however, North Hammnond started around the Rollerdome and went all the way to Lake Michigan.
I am of Irish extraction, but our neighborhood of modest 1-family homes was a cultural melting pot. My earliest memories are of Polish neighbors pulling me through the winter snow in a traditional European-style wooden sled as they made the short trek to the poultry shops in East Chicago, where they would buy live chickens.
Well, short-lived, anyway. The proprietors cut off the heads and left the rest of the work to the women when they got back home. They taught my mother how to pluck and otherwise prepare chickens for the pot, which I was able to observe as long as I breathed through my mouth to avoid the smell. No need to go into here, however.
My grandfather, also nicknamed Paddy, emigrated to the US in the late 1880's and landed a job building the Standard Oil refinery in Whiting. The "sweet crude" found in Pennsylvania was running out, and Standard Oil found a way to refine "sour crude" coming from wells in the Midwestern states. If you have ever wondered about the sulphurous odor around the plant, you were smelling sour crude.
When Standard Oil bought the land for the refinery, there was no Whiting to speak of. It was called Whiting's Crossing, named after a railroad engineer made famous by averting a major train collision there. The city of Whiting became the home of the Standard Oil executives, while the hoi polloi who built and operated the refinery lived in Robertsdale. My grandfather lived in Robertsdale, of course.
Going to Robertsdale for Christmas and other holidays was a long drive to me, but I always thought that the myriad of lights on the refinery stills were like Christmas year-round. Back then, refineries occupied the entire length of Indianpolis Boulevard from downtown East Chicago to the lake. Refiners like Socony, Cities Service and Sinclair were there at the time.
While the lights on the stils were neat, I never liked the smell of sour crude. But at least it wasn't burnt chicken feathers. Sorry, I did say that I wasn't going to go there.
I look forward to sharing more Hammnond experience with you all.
Paddy
|
12-13-2008
( Reply#: 2472 ) |
Tom J |
Paddy:
Nice intro. Thanks for posting.
Pick an existing thread, or start a new one, bring up a subject, and let's reminisce!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
12-13-2008
( Reply#: 2473 ) |
duane |
Hi Paddy: Not all of us are Hessvillians. I'm from EC, and grew up with one of those Polish ladies in the house (my Grandma...or Busia.) We didn't have to go buy chickens, because we actually raised them in the backyard! I lived on the south side and went to Bishop Noll.
I loved your descriptions of the oil refineries. While a lot is made of the history of the steel mills, especially in Shep's stories, the oil refineries get only a scant mention. My uncle (who's family lived in the apt. above us) worked all his life at Sinclair. Standard Oil and Socony (Mobil) were also along Indianapolis Blvd. As was the HUGE NIPSCO gas tank, which could be seen for miles. But Cities Service was out to the east along Chicago Avenenue, wasn't it? Then over off Calumet was the Clark tank farms. The huge Standard Oil fire in the 1950's was sure a memorable event. |
12-13-2008
( Reply#: 2474 ) |
Paddy |
I remember the good smells in EC as well, namely Hot Dog John's on the Boulevard, a block or two north of Chicago Avenue. |
12-14-2008
( Reply#: 2476 ) |
duane |
Before I went to Noll, I went to junior high at ECR. My brother told me that one teacher, Mr. Torhan, said the following to Juniors and Seniors who were going to prom: "You kids spend all this money taking your dates out to fancy places to eat after prom. You should go to Hot Dog John's, where two people can eat for 35 cents!" (Hot Dog John's had a deal where you could get two Chili Dogs for $0.35... and when you ordered them "to go" they'd wrap them in bread wrappers (Wonder bread, I think)).
They also had a sign by the cash register that read: Weather Forcast - Chili today, Chili tomorrow...eat more chili! |
12-14-2008
( Reply#: 2478 ) |
Bill Bucko |
Going to Hot Dog John's was a treat, even for Hessvillites. Yes, the hot dogs were wrapped in Wonder Bread wrappers.
I know a little about East Chicago, because my Polish grandmother lived on White Oak Avenue, just a block south of Bishop Noll; and I was dragooned into going to the Polish National Catholic church on Wegg, nearby. The old man worked at Superheater (Combustion Engineering) on 151st, near the canal and the "Keep Out Bad Dogs" sign. Believe it or not, East Chicago seemed exotic; in addition to Hot Dog John's, it had the movie theater downtown where I thrilled to Disney's "Great Locomotive Chase" and the last chapter of "King of the Rocket Men." Not to mention flaming smokestacks, like in a Buck Rogers comic. And it was from East Chicago, every weekday noon, that there came that incredible tapestry of sound, of all the different factory whistles going off one after another.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
12-14-2008
( Reply#: 2479 ) |
Paddy |
quote:
the movie theater downtown
The Orpheum. At the Saturday matinee, a quarter would get you a ticket (19 cents), a box of candy (5 cents) and a penny in your pocket. |
12-14-2008
( Reply#: 2483 ) |
Pro2am |
Bill,
No kidding! I worked at Combustion Engineering from Feb. 1978 until Aug. 1986 when they began shutting the place down. Former employees I've met in the ensuing years all agree with me: it was the best place we've ever worked in our lives.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
----------------------------------------------------------
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
Going to Hot Dog John's was a treat, even for Hessvillites. Yes, the hot dogs were wrapped in Wonder Bread wrappers.
I know a little about East Chicago, because my Polish grandmother lived on White Oak Avenue, just a block south of Bishop Noll; and I was dragooned into going to the Polish National Catholic church on Wegg, nearby. The old man worked at Superheater (Combustion Engineering) on 151st, near the canal and the "Keep Out Bad Dogs" sign. Believe it or not, East Chicago seemed exotic; in addition to Hot Dog John's, it had the movie theater downtown where I thrilled to Disney's "Great Locomotive Chase" and the last chapter of "King of the Rocket Men." Not to mention flaming smokestacks, like in a Buck Rogers comic. And it was from East Chicago, every weekday noon, that there came that incredible tapestry of sound, of all the different factory whistles going off one after another.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
|
12-14-2008
( Reply#: 2485 ) |
Pro2am |
Tom,
I don't know...to each his own, I guess. But I personally don't think there's too much cause for concern over publishing one's birth date, etc. Info like that is alredy all over the place and can be found by virtually anyone.
I was born in 1949 in LaPorte, IN. A year later we moved to Hammond, on Hoffman Street a few blocks south of Bishop Noll between Columbia and Calumet Avenues. In 1954 we moved to Woodmar, on Magoun Ave. just south of 169th St. (6912). I attended Porte School, Jeffereson School, and then Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Arizona Ave. in Hessville, from which I graduated.
In early 1962 we moved to Hessville - 7340 California Ave., a half-block or so south of 173rd. St. and Hessville Park. Lived there until the Summer of '73 when we moved across the street (7333) to a larger house. In '74 I moved out and have lived in various places but mostly in Hammond and Hessville. Does anyone remember Georgetown Homes behind the new Morton H.S., next to Cline? Spent several years there, from 1977 to 1985. Nice place!
I'm a machinist by trade and have worked at a variety of plants/shops in the Hammond/East Chicago area: Lanman Bolt & Forge in E.C., Ortman Fluid Power (nee Ortman-Miller Machine Co.) in N. Hammond, Combustion Engineering and Uniona Tank Car Co., both in E.C. (matter of fact, Lanman's, Combustion, and UTLX were all within a half-mile of each other on 151st St. Sadly, they've all shut down -as has Ortman. Lots of jobs lost there.
I'm currently residing on Beech Ave. in south-central Hammond, one block east of "Da Projects" (Columbia Center - which, BTW, is slowly being torn down and newer, modern residences are being constructed). Not really a bad neighborhood (not like it used to be) but sometimes a little weird nonetheless.
My Dad hailed from Whiting; my Mom from north Hammond (Hickory St.). My Dad was a long-time radio personality in Chicago. He was dubbed "The Dean of the Big Bands" and had radio shows on stations such as WAAF, WCFL, WLS FM, and finally, WGN. He was unfortunately let go by WGN in late '95. He passed away in late March of 2006. My Mom is still with us, retired and living in Highland.
I guess that's enough basic info for now. Oh, yes! My younger brother Larry is an accomplished musician/composer/conductor, currently the music director of the Northbrook, IL Symphony Orchestra. He's a relatively new member on this forum, going by the username "HassoBenSoba" (from one of the 3 Stooges films. Actually I think it should be "Hassen". Vernon Dent: "I'm Hassen ben Soba!" Shemp: "I had a few too many myself"). LOL!
Mike Rapchak Jr.
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
quote:
Originally posted by seejay2
The only thing you guys are leaving out is your SSN and last year's tax returns.
Do you think all this personal information, for the whole world to see, is really necessary?
If that's what you want to do, go to MySpace.......Cj
I guess you and Duane are right, CJ. I have already gone back and deleted my birthday from my post, but maybe there is still too much info. I tend to be a trusting soul.
Hey, if someone stole my identity, THEY would be up to their eyeballs in debt instead of me! (But they would sure be handsome!) :)
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG]
|
12-15-2008
( Reply#: 2490 ) |
Veronica |
Hello Everyone,
I am actually looking for information on my dad. He passed away in 2004 and never really talked much about his childhood. I have since started a family tree. There are no pictures of him as a child, or of his parents.
Anyway, his name is Lloyd David Montgomery he went by Dave, David. He grew up on Conkey Street in Hammond. His dad drove a bus for the south shore line, his name was Lloyd also, his mom worked at a school in the cafiteria her name was Rita. He had two sisters who were older then him, Carol and Gail. He went to Vietnam in 1968 he did not finish school. I think he went to Hammond High, I think I remember something about him calling it a technical school or something like that. He had a best friend named Skip Carnet, I am not sure if Skip went to the same school or not. My dad was born in 1948 and I think he would have graduated around 1966-1967?
If anyone knew him I'd love to hear some stories. I really do not know much about his family, his dad died before I was born, his mom died when I was 5, his oldest sister Carol died in 1995 and Gail is still alive, but she lives in California.
Does anyone know how I would go about finding school pictures of him?
My mom use to be a school teacher at one of the hammond schools. She was married to Robert (bob) Buck lived on Lewis Street. Had 3 kids with him, married my dad and had me.
Thank you for your time!!!! |
12-15-2008
( Reply#: 2491 ) |
wvcogs |
Veronica,
Here are a couple tidbits for you that you already may know.
1. The 1970 Hammond City Directory shows Lloyd K. and Rita Montgomery at 231 Conkey St.
2. The main Hammond Public Library on State Street near what once was downtown Hammond has a collection of yearbooks for Hammond High School and Hammond Tech including the years when your dad would have been in school. You may be able to find a picture of him in one of them. Check with Mr. Lytle in the Local History Room.
Good luck in your search for information.
Ken |
12-16-2008
( Reply#: 2494 ) |
seejay2 |
Does this have a familiar ring to it, Ken? We're still working on that one........Cj |
12-26-2008
( Reply#: 2536 ) |
Cindy M |
I've lurked around here so many times, so maybe its about time I have something to contribute!
I am from one of those "big" families that lived in the more-or-less cookie-cutter houses in the "states" (street names) neighborhoods of Hessville. Our street was New Hampshire Ave., the part between 165th and the railroads woods (where we were FORBIDDEN to go into because Mom said it was full of hobos!)
Born Feb., 1957 at St. Margaret's Hospital, I was the fourth of Mom and Dad's five girls and no boys. Poor Dad.
Speaking of Dad, he was born and raised in East Chicago, and graduated from the old Roosevelt High School there. Both of his parents came from Poland, and they all went to St. Michael the Archangel Polish National Catholic Church, over there in EC.
Dad worked right up until his early retirement at American Steel Foundries. His work clothing always had the most peculiar smell once he got home.
When I was born, up until I was about one year old, we lived on a portion of Cherry Street, near one of the elementary schools, I believe. Interestingly, Mom and the older sisters swore the place was haunted. Glad we moved!
I went to school first at Warren G. Harding (the brick one..the older sisters went to the older one). Lets see..for Kindergarten I had Mrs. Jordan, then I think Miss Orr, then Miss O'Mally. Mr. French was our Principal. We used to have a great "Halloween Carnival" inside the school each year.
It was then that the brand new elementary school right on my own street corner was ready, which was Roland B. Miller Elementary, so little sister and I went there next. Me, for 4th, 5th and 6th. I know I had a Miss Sonnenberg, Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Moore, and a Mr. Lane. Our Principal there was Mr. King. Each year we would all go into the gymnasium to see an enchating marionette show. Huge canvas sheets would be layed over all of the wooden flooring, as no one was ever allowed to touch street shoes to it.
For Middle school, I went to Oliver P. Morton, on Marshall Ave. I can almost still make out much of it in my memories.
Just as it was about time for me to move on to the nice newish Morton High School, Dad retired early from his long hard work at the foundry, and Mom and Dad moved little sister and I away with them to far away Florida.
One of my older sisters worked at the Pow-Wow, which I have read some recollections of here. I recall something about chili burgers...Mmmmmm!
There was also a mention made of Hot Dog John's which made me nearly jump from my seat in joy! Dad used to bring those home for all of us now and then...Oh the smell coming from those warm paper bags! All onion-y and chili smelling wonderment. If not from there, sometimes it would be roast beef from Cande's. (gulp!)
Reading these pages, I am awash with so many memories, my gosh. |
12-31-2008
( Reply#: 2548 ) |
Joel357 |
Tom,
My name is Joel Miner and I grew up in Munster, just west of the old Monon Tracks. I graduated from Munster High in 1975 and Purdue Cal in 1981. My family has a long history in Hammond. My grandparents lived on Detroit Street and moved to Forest Avenue in the early 1940's. My grandfather started the first intercity bus company back in the 1920's. The Insull group wiped him out of business by duplicating routes and providing free transportation. Grandpa was a US Marshall for a few years and was involved in prohibition enforcement. He was responsible in getting the mayors of Whiting and Gary thrown out of office for bootlegging. In 1932 his friend and neighbor Ralph Dunn opened up a tiny hamburger stand at 5440 Calumet called Miner Dunn. My dad graduated from Hammond High School in 1939. He and my grandfather got interested in ham radio back in the middle 1930's. One of my dad's good friends was none other than the infamous Jean Shepherd. I followed the family tradition and got my ham license in 1976. One of the highlights was talking to Shep when he was in town on one of the local ham repeaters. It was neat hearing my dad and Shep talking after many years. |
12-31-2008
( Reply#: 2549 ) |
Joel357 |
Cindy,
I was born at St. Margarets in early March of 1957.
Joel Miner |
12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4100 ) |
Tom J |
I thought I would bump this to the top, since we have some new members. Maybe they will post a litte info about themselves here.
Tom |
12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4102 ) |
Jay |
Hello;
I'm also one of those people who do not like to post detailed personal information on the internet. Once posted, the information can be archived and used in manner not authorized by the poster! Editing only helps if it hasn't been archived on some server beforehand. This is something I learned handling classified material in the military.
I was born in the Calumet Region during the Korean War. All of my schooling was in the region. I still own property in the region.
I'm also a college graduate and a military veteran. |
12-07-2009
( Reply#: 4108 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
Hello;
I'm also one of those people who do not like to post detailed personal information on the internet. Once posted, the information can be archived and used in manner not authorized by the poster! Editing only helps if it hasn't been archived on some server beforehand. This is something I learned handling classified material in the military.
I was born in the Calumet Region during the Korean War. All of my schooling was in the region. I still own property in the region.
I'm also a college graduate and a military veteran.
OK, Jay. Glad to have you with us.
If you feel comfortable with just a little more info, I know we would all be interested, but if what you have posted is as far as you are willing to go, then so be it.
It looks like you are going to be an active poster, and that is SUPER.
Once again, welome to Sheptalk.
Tom |
05-03-2010
( Reply#: 5522 ) |
Roger D |
I was born in Ky. in 1944. When I was six my dad moved to Hammond looking for work. We lived in north Hammond on State Line, Dearborn and Clark Sts. My folks bought a house on New Hampshire Ave in '57.
I went to Lincoln Elementary from '51-'56 and Clark for seventh grade. I graduated from OPM in Feb. '63.
I went to work at Inland two weeks out of high school. After 30& 1/2 years I retired at 49 and moved back to Ky. where my parents had retired to as had my in laws. I met my wife in Hammond but she was born in Ky. less than fifty miles from where I was born. I knew Tom J. as a child but do not remember him very well as I am five years older. We now live in the same town in Ky. and have become aquainted once again. I have been married 46 yrs., have a son and daughter, four grandchildren and a great granddaughter. GOOD GRIEF HOW DID I GET SO OLD SO QUICK !!!!! |
09-22-2010
( Reply#: 6099 ) |
musicluvrdon |
Hello To All!
My name is Don Hill, and one thing that I must say is that this forum and reading all of the interesting posts has brought so many fond memories back....too numerous to mention!
I was born in 1959 at St. Margaret's Hospital. At that time, my family (my parents and two older brothers) lived on the southeast corner of Elm and Huehn. That is where the foundation of my childhood began. My mother was a Cub Scout Den Mother for a short time. My father worked as a millwright and Inland Steel for nearly 23 years. During the 1950's and 1960's, my father also was a coach for Irving Little League. Besides work and coaching, my father was also very active in the Garfield Lodge at the Masonic Temple in downtown Hammond. That place had unmatched grandeur, and I have many childhood memories of being inside there. Our family first attended the First Congregational Church of East Chicago, then attended the Centenary United Methodist Church on Towle and Gostlin.
I attended Irving Elementary School from 1964-1970, Spohn Middle School from 1970-1973, and Clark High School from 1973-1977, graduating in 1977.
Even though I took a college prep course, I ended up working at Inland Steel from 1977 to 1997...a career spanning nearly 20 years. I worked as a maintenance expediter spanning three different departments.
After being "downsized" in 1997, I began working for the Lake County Sheriff's Department later that year, and that is where I still am employed today. I also work as a part time director of music/organist for a historic Chicago church.
I am still residing in Hammond, on the south side of town. There are so many memories and topics to draw from and contribute to! I'm very happy to be introduced to this site! |
09-22-2010
( Reply#: 6100 ) |
Tom J |
Thanks for the intro, Don. Welcome to Sheptalk!
Tom |
05-29-2011
( Reply#: 6594 ) |
romeo68 |
quote:
Originally posted by cartoonguy
My name is Bill Andres,I lived on 173rd and Walnut Street, which is where I spent the most of my childhood. I was about fourteen years old when we moved to 177th Street in Hessville.
I went to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School from kindergarten to 6th grade. I attended Gavit High, for 7th and 8th grade, and then on to Morton High, until I graduated in 1978.
After High School, I went to work for the late Globe Roofing Co. in Whiting IN, until the big layoffs of the 1980's. Afterwards I started working in animated commercials in Chicago IL. That is when I left Hammond and lived in Chicago for about ten years, and then I moved to Glendale CA. when Walt Disney Studios called me, and that is where I reside today.
Dennis Harwell |
05-29-2011
( Reply#: 6595 ) |
cartoonguy |
Any relation to Darwyn Harwell? |
07-21-2011
( Reply#: 6695 ) |
tommy51 |
Hi, all, I'm Tom G, born in EC and grew up in Hessville between the park and Parrish Ave. Went to Lee L Caldwell, then OLPH. Went to the new Morton in '68.
(Hey - if you can remember da Region, you weren't really there)
I recall the old Gregory's grocery store at Kennedy and 173rd. My best friend and I used to get all the ingredients to make gunpowder with. In those days, the pharmacist would simply give you what you wanted, even if you were 12!
Worked at Inland, Youngstown, and then the Recession of '71(?) hit and was forced south a bit. Had an apartment across the street from Purdue just before I left. Never did move back, and am now almost 2,000 miles away, but I keep in touch with a few on Facebook.
I was recently researching the 1955 Standard Oil explosion. My dad worked at nearby Mobil until his transfer in '70. Though I was only 4, I remember being jolted out of bed around 6:am. Days later, dad took us by the refinery to view the damage. Never will forget that. I can't seem to find the exact location of the old Mobil refinery, but remember it being close to the Sinclair/Arco one. From the air, (Google)I can't make out which tanks are whose.
I'd appreciate any info on the above and especially any survivors of the incident or current/past residents of Stiglitz Park, I believe; the subdivision still to the West of (Today) BP Amoco.
I myself ended up working at Mobil in Joliet IL, then Arco until 1993.
Hope to hear from some of you here!
Tommy |
07-22-2011
( Reply#: 6699 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
TOM--
Welcome to the joint; things have been pretty slow here, compared to the past couple of years, but let's see if we can't pick up the pace.
I'd say there's a good chance we know each other; I was born in '51, went to OLPH, BNI and Morton (check the topic/thread called "Wicker Park"; in addition to some great old family photos of the place from the '50's, there's a bunch of posts re: our school attendance).
There's at least 3 other OLPH-ers from our era that post here occasionally.
I hope you have time to check as many topics as possible--there's some truly great stuff here! (Try, for instance, "OLPH 8th GRADERS", which you'd certainly appreciate, since you attended the pool hall).
But there's tons of good stuff that has been filed away under topic headings that you wouldn't expect; for instance, there's some cool posts and pics on Morton's great Zoology teacher Mr. Rasmussen (his son actually posts here from time to time), but I can't remember what TOPIC it's under! You've got to spend the time looking through each one. But, as a Regionite who has fond memories of the place, your time will be well spent.
Hope to read more from you.
Larry Rapchak (HassoBenSoba) |
07-22-2011
( Reply#: 6705 ) |
Bill Bucko |
quote:
Originally posted by tommy51
My best friend and I used to get all the ingredients to make gunpowder with. In those days, the pharmacist would simply give you what you wanted, even if you were 12!
You're lucky to have found a supplier. I bought my S, C, KNO3 at Lockwood Labs, 450 Indiana Avenue, near downtown, and the old lady there was always suspicious as hell. Always wanted to know what I was going to do with the stuff. I assured her I was working with only small quantities (which I actually was).
My only close call was not with gunpowder, but a nice pile of powdered zinc and sulfur I set fire to in the basement. The exhaust gases filled the basement from the ceiling to halfway to the floor, and coated my entire hand with a grayish deposit (fortunately not hot enough to burn me). My old lady called from upstairs: "What are you doing down there?!" I replied, as kids do: "Nothing."
Also messed around with sugar + KNO3 as rocket fuel.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
07-23-2011
( Reply#: 6707 ) |
Paddy |
quote:
Originally posted by tommy51
I can't seem to find the exact location of the old Mobil refinery, but remember it being close to the Sinclair/Arco one. From the air, (Google)I can't make out which tanks are whose.
My Dad worked a Socony until his death in 1960. He was a fireman on one of the catalytic cracking stills. The old Socony property is bare now. The main gate was just north of the canal on Indianapolis Boulevard.
Paddy |
07-24-2011
( Reply#: 6709 ) |
tommy51 |
quote:
I'd say there's a good chance we know each other; I was born in '51, went to OLPH, BNI and Morton ... There's at least 3 other OLPH-ers from our era that post here occasionally.
Yes, I recognized everyone in your graduation photo. I was in another class, but can't remember which Hun - I mean, Nun, was my teacher. I had the worst, Sister Bathilda, Ursula - yikes.
Tell "Nitti" he can't hide from me. I know him and his little brother "Toy-Toy." Our moms were friends before he and I were born. That ought to be enough.
Later, Dude
Tommy
|
07-24-2011
( Reply#: 6710 ) |
tommy51 |
quote:
My Dad worked a Socony until his death in 1960. He was a fireman on one of the catalytic cracking stills. The old Socony property is bare now. The main gate was just north of the canal on Indianapolis Boulevard.
Paddy
Thanks; my memory was that the South refinery border was a park. Wasn't the property just east of Sinclair?
Do you recall if there was ever any concern for the 1955 fire from Standard reaching the tanks at Mobil?
Tommy
|
07-24-2011
( Reply#: 6711 ) |
tommy51 |
quote:
I bought my S, C, KNO3 at Lockwood Labs, 450 Indiana Avenue, near downtown, and the old lady there was always suspicious as hell. Always wanted to know what I was going to do with the stuff.
LOL. I think my pharmacist was a closet rocket-freak. He knew exactly what we were going to do with it. Buying powdered-iron also made him think we wanted more sparkle than bang. |
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