Sheptalk

Forum Topic
Hammond Indiana

Subject	Message	Replies
Gone but not forgotten. Date: 04-29-2009 By: tsofred	Kwikee Snax,Manhattan Lunch,The Kettle,Chat & Chew,Pow Wow,Serenade,Kelly's,Prince Castle,Cam Lan,41 Outdoor,Moonlight Drive In ,(Cline & Michigan aves),Pauls Drive In,Arts Drive In(Caumet Ave) Arts (five points)Nick & Georges on State & State Line,(cancer clinic) Nick & georges moved to Hohman Ave across from Harrison Park...still have the dreatest steaks anywhere...Maid Rite,Red Rooster,Jim;s Drive In,The Mirth Drive In,Woodmar Shopping Center,(all that is left is Carsons),	231

Replies

Date	Member	Message
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3010 )	Tom J	What about Blue Top? Are they gone now? Almost all of the places you mentioned have special meaning to me, especially Maid Rite. What about the Paramount and the Parthenon? What about Downtown in general? 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]
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3011 )	Dave	The big restaurants in Robertsdale: Vogels, Al Knapps, Condes, and Phil Schmidts.
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3012 )	wvcogs	Cande's Pizza on 165th Street in Hessville -- the best pizza, any time... any where Ken
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3013 )	seejay2	Hear! Hear!! The only pizza around! Never any before it; certainly never any since; and my money says there will never again be another!!! Garbage like Domino's and Pizza Hut will pay for their sins in another life-------------maybe.
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3014 )	seejay2	Oh yeah, one more little thing: My career working in Paul's Drive In spanned a 13 hour time period. 13 hours of learning to never include Paul's in any favorite's list for anything!!............Cj
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3015 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by wvcogs Cande's Pizza on 165th Street in Hessville -- the best pizza, any time... any where Ken Don't know about their pizza, but their Italian Beef sandwiches were out of this world! I don't think I ever had their pizza. I believe we would get our pizzas from House of Pizza, but we sure knew where to go for Italian Beef! Anybody able to answer my question about Blue Top? Is it still open? CJ, tell us about Paul's. What was so bad? 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]
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3016 )	Joel357	Tom, As of last Saturday, when I drove up Indianapolis Blvd, Blue Top looked open to me. Joel
04-29-2009 ( Reply#: 3017 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by Joel357 Tom, As of last Saturday, when I drove up Indianapolis Blvd, Blue Top looked open to me. Joel Super! 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]
04-30-2009 ( Reply#: 3018 )	tsofred	Blue Top is still open but is for sell.
05-01-2009 ( Reply#: 3031 )	Paddy	quote: Originally posted by seejay2 Hear! Hear!! The only pizza around! Never any before it; certainly never any since; and my money says there will never again be another!!! Garbage like Domino's and Pizza Hut will pay for their sins in another life-------------maybe. John's Pizza in Cal City remains my favorite, probably because I was exposed to it at an early age. Around the time that I was 9 or 10, my older sisters would invite their friends over to play poker. Their friends brought John's Pizza with them, and I was able to score some of it. So you see, my love affair with John's Pizza goes way back. My pizza preference is still thin crust with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and green pepper, which surely came from my first bites of John's pizza.
05-02-2009 ( Reply#: 3033 )	seejay2	quote: Originally posted by Joel357 Tom, As of last Saturday, when I drove up Indianapolis Blvd, Blue Top looked open to me. Joel When I spoke to Kent Johnsen, sometime last year, he gave the place an outside of five years unless he finds a buyer. Finding the buyer is the trick. He is also appealing to the Historical Society to keep the place from being torn down, but it doesn't look so good. People, today, just aren't into that 'drive-in' scene anymore. In fact, I don't really know just what trips their trigger these days. The days of showing off the car you put all of your love and money into have disappeared. There isn't much glamour in showing off daddy's new Prius.
05-02-2009 ( Reply#: 3034 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by seejay2 quote: Originally posted by Joel357 Tom, As of last Saturday, when I drove up Indianapolis Blvd, Blue Top looked open to me. Joel When I spoke to Kent Johnsen, sometime last year, he gave the place an outside of five years unless he finds a buyer. Finding the buyer is the trick. He is also appealing to the Historical Society to keep the place from being torn down, but it doesn't look so good. People, today, just aren't into that 'drive-in' scene anymore. In fact, I don't really know just what trips their trigger these days. The days of showing off the car you put all of your love and money into have disappeared. There isn't much glamour in showing off daddy's new Prius. Yeah, CJ, you are right about those days being only memories now. It is so sad. There were hours and hours of good, clean, harmless fun for teenagers in working on, cleaning up, and showing off their cars. 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]
05-05-2009 ( Reply#: 3049 )	tom w	What about Fogarty and Schoops and Braho's on Calumet. And on the Nort Side, we had Cal-Hoff and the Cottage!!!! Take Care Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58
05-06-2009 ( Reply#: 3051 )	tsofred	and on Hoffman St we had Lee's Grill and Clara's Lunch,I will bet hardly anyone remembers Clara's Lunch...
05-06-2009 ( Reply#: 3052 )	tom w	Hey Fred: I was born on Hoffman and don't remember them. LOL Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58 Unless one of them was down where Guffy Whitler lived.
05-06-2009 ( Reply#: 3053 )	seejay2	tsofred What do you remember about Clara's Lunch? Do you remember Clara herself? Could this woman below be Clara?......Cj [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/SodaPumpblonde.jpg[/IMG]
05-08-2009 ( Reply#: 3057 )	tom w	Where was Lee's grill and Clara's Lunch? Tom W Tech 55-58
08-13-2009 ( Reply#: 3534 )	BobK	I don't remember Lee's or Clara's. Where were they on Hoffman? Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
08-14-2009 ( Reply#: 3539 )	tom w	Bob; Fred hasn't replied sincs May. I hope he is OK. He is scooter people just like us. He is still in Hammond I think. Not sunny Fla like us. tom w
08-14-2009 ( Reply#: 3541 )	BobK	I think I found him in Highland on Kennedy Ave just a short distance from where I used to live in Highland. I'll give him a call and see what's up. Or . . . maybe the wife and I will take a ride over there. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
08-15-2009 ( Reply#: 3570 )	tom w	Bob; OOOPPPS, I don't know why I assumed that you were in Fla. My mistake. Thanks for the news about Fetlas. How sad is progress sometimes? Tom W
08-15-2009 ( Reply#: 3571 )	BobK	I'm in FL during the Winter. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4123 )	Jay	We miss the near perfect grilled cheese sandwiches we would order late at night at the former Howard Johnson's Restaurant in the 4100 block of Calumet Avenue. Today, there is a Johnel Restaurant at that location.
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4128 )	Roger D	Does anyone remember the pancake house on the NW corner of Rts 30 and 41?
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4129 )	Roger D	Whoops!!, brain freeze NE corner of 30 & 41.
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4131 )	Tom J	Sauzers. Right? Can't remember ever being in the place. Tom
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4138 )	BobK	Yes, Sauzers, a great place. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4139 )	duane	It was there for years. When I took Drivers Ed at EC Roosevelt during the summer, we started early around 7 AM and Coach Zawacki would always have us drive to Sauzers and then he would go order breakfast!
12-07-2009 ( Reply#: 4141 )	Joel357	my grandma took us to Sauzers for breakfast. I remember they had different flavors of syrup. I think Sauzers was somehow related to the Teibel family. Joel
12-08-2009 ( Reply#: 4147 )	Tom J	Sauzer's wasn't a truck stop as well as a waffle house, was it? Tom
12-08-2009 ( Reply#: 4148 )	Joel357	No, it was a waffle/pancake house. Sauzers also owned Kiddie Land. I drive every day and you can't even tell where it was there. Both Sauzers and Kiddie Land. This is progress, I guess. Joel
12-08-2009 ( Reply#: 4151 )	Jim Plummer	I was in Sauzers on a Saturday afternoon when they reported that Sputnik had been launched. There was deadly silence as we watched the tv report. quote: Originally posted by BobK Yes, Sauzers, a great place. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-08-2009 ( Reply#: 4154 )	Roger D	Sauzers was great, good food and good fun. I worked at the Serenade, next to Kelly's in '61 & '62 and several times after closing, at 1am, on Friday night we would load up the crew and go to Sauzers or John's Pizzaria in Cal City to eat.
12-08-2009 ( Reply#: 4155 )	dilligaf717	When I was in Blue Top a few years ago, Kent told me that he couldn't afford to stay open much longer. He told me that it cost more to run the fryer for one day than to heat his home for a month. Plus, when someone comes in and spends a buck for a coke and sits there, you don't make alot of $$$. Damn the chain operations. Jim Still runnin against the wind.
12-12-2009 ( Reply#: 4169 )	HassoBenSoba	HERE's a couple of Hammond establishments that I'd be suprised if anyone remembers (except my brother Mike); In north Hammond there used to be a DAIRY; it faced east on Cedar Street (one block east of Calumet) and 150th---the present location of the #1 Fire Station. It was a wooden building, painted a maroon-ish color, with a wooden walkway out front...like an old train platform. I remember going there only once with my dad and brother; there were big metal milk cannisters sitting on the platform outside the doors. I recall that we bought "Dixie Cups" that day...the round cardboard cup with vanilla ice cream, a little wooden spoon, and a color picture of a movie star printed on the underside of the lid. This was definitely mid 50's, probably prior to Sept of 1954, which was when our family moved from nearby Hoffman street out to Woodmar. Also from that period: "The Igloo" ice cream parlor on the North side of Hoffman just east of Cedar St; for years afterwards it was a laundromat...now it's abandoned. But I remember my mother taking us there on a hot summer afternoon; the only detail I recall were the chrome bar stools. Wow....could this have been 55 years ago? I guess so. Larry r
12-12-2009 ( Reply#: 4170 )	BobK	I don't remember the dairy but the Igloo was a block or so further east on Hoffman at Oak. The old Igloo became El Taco Real. On the corner of Cedar is where my Uncle built Calumet Sheet Metal Works. He later added a second floor for his home, which had been on Pine, and an office for the business on the west side and put a Norge Village in the front. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-12-2009 ( Reply#: 4172 )	duane	quote: Originally posted by HassoBenSoba HERE's a couple of Hammond establishments that I'd be suprised if anyone remembers (except my brother Mike); In north Hammond there used to be a DAIRY; it faced east on Cedar Street (one block east of Calumet) and 150th---the present location of the #1 Fire Station. It was a wooden building, painted a maroon-ish color, with a wooden walkway out front...like an old train platform. I remember going there only once with my dad and brother; there were big metal milk cannisters sitting on the platform outside the doors. I recall that we bought "Dixie Cups" that day...the round cardboard cup with vanilla ice cream, a little wooden spoon, and a color picture of a movie star printed on the underside of the lid. This was definitely mid 50's, probably prior to Sept of 1954, which was when our family moved from nearby Hoffman street out to Woodmar. Also from that period: "The Igloo" ice cream parlor on the North side of Hoffman just east of Cedar St; for years afterwards it was a laundromat...now it's abandoned. But I remember my mother taking us there on a hot summer afternoon; the only detail I recall were the chrome bar stools. Wow....could this have been 55 years ago? I guess so. Larry r I absolutely remember that dairy! We went to get our milk there all the time. I still have the wire basket that held 8 glass quart bottles of milk. Unfortunately, none of the existing bottles have the name of the dairy on it, which I can no longer remember. I remember that we later started going to Prairie View Dairy in EC, on 150th and Olcott Ave. The dairy you remember on Cedar Street also had a couple of other landmarks near it. There was a huge warehouse across 150th at the intersection with Calumet Ave and the Grand Cal River. I think the name started with a J (Johnson warehouse?). Also there was a trucking company between the warehouse and Youngstown Steel Door. They always had these ancient semi-trucks...I think they bought them from other companies who were modernizing their fleet. My sister worked there as a clerk part time in high school and said their trucks were always breaking down on the road.
12-12-2009 ( Reply#: 4173 )	Tom J	Peeps, I have some pages from the 1965 Hammond City Directory that good old Richard Lytle at the HPL copied for me. I have the addresses and occupants for Calumet Avenue, and I think it covers the whole length of it. I also have 165th Street, Hohman Avenue, State Street, and I think maybe I have Fayette Street and Sibley Street. If anyone wants something looked up, just holler. WVCOGS (Ken) has a complete old city directory, I believe, and he is always good to look stuff up for folks. Tom
12-12-2009 ( Reply#: 4174 )	wvcogs	quote: Originally posted by Tom J WVCOGS (Ken) has a complete old city directory, I believe, and he is always good to look stuff up for folks. Tom Sure will, just let me know. But my directory is from 1970, and many things could have changed by then. Also, if any Hessville folks are interested, I have Kennedy Avenue directory pages from 1929, 1939, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1956, and 1961. Like Tom's pages, these were supplied by Richard Lytle of the local history room at the Hammond Public Library. Ken... [img]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/wvcogs72/TheOldPhotog.jpg[/img]
12-13-2009 ( Reply#: 4175 )	tom w	The Igloo ice cream parlor started out across the street from its latter position on the south side of Hoffman next to the library. The place was owned by the Douglas family. Mrs D. ran it most days. On the weekend her husband Jim helped. Their son "Doug" was a mailman and had no interest in ice cream. Does anyone remember the cleaners just east of Shrago's grocery on Hoffman and Pine? They went out of business after an accident and it became a taco joint for a while. Across the street on the corner was the Milk store. In the same building was a barber shop. The building's owner was the barber Mr Steckmyster or "Sticky". He had one daughter who played piano and sang at the Ball of Fire in Cal City. The trucking company on Calumet near 150th St was probably George Mickow. Looks like acording to Google, the warehouse is still there and so are some of the junk trucks. He had some space in the old Junior Toy building where he rebuilt truck generators, starters and brake shoes. Man oh Man. Talk about being exposed to asbestos! Lucky for me it was a short, part-time job! Tom W
12-13-2009 ( Reply#: 4176 )	tom w	Bob K do you remember that between Cal Sheet Metal and Smitty's Hardware at one time was a A&P Food Mart? Tom W
12-13-2009 ( Reply#: 4179 )	BobK	I can't picture it in my mind Tom. I do remember a classmate at Irving lived between there. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-17-2009 ( Reply#: 4211 )	RicKoe	quote: Originally posted by HassoBenSoba HERE's a couple of Hammond establishments that I'd be suprised if anyone remembers (except my brother Mike); In north Hammond there used to be a DAIRY; it faced east on Cedar Street (one block east of Calumet) and 150th---the present location of the #1 Fire Station. It was a wooden building, painted a maroon-ish color, with a wooden walkway out front...like an old train platform. I remember going there only once with my dad and brother; there were big metal milk cannisters sitting on the platform outside the doors. I recall that we bought "Dixie Cups" that day...the round cardboard cup with vanilla ice cream, a little wooden spoon, and a color picture of a movie star printed on the underside of the lid. This was definitely mid 50's, probably prior to Sept of 1954, which was when our family moved from nearby Hoffman street out to Woodmar. Also from that period: "The Igloo" ice cream parlor on the North side of Hoffman just east of Cedar St; for years afterwards it was a laundromat...now it's abandoned. But I remember my mother taking us there on a hot summer afternoon; the only detail I recall were the chrome bar stools. Wow....could this have been 55 years ago? I guess so. Larry r
12-17-2009 ( Reply#: 4212 )	RicKoe	You may be thinking of Bowman's Dairy which our Edison School class once went through on a field trip in the late Forties. I believe Bordon Dairy also had a location in Hammond in that era.
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4213 )	HassoBenSoba	quote: Originally posted by RicKoe You may be thinking of Bowman's Dairy which our Edison School class once went through on a field trip in the late Forties. I believe Bordon Dairy also had a location in Hammond in that era. Was Bowman's Dairy at that location---159th and Cedar? If so, that would have to be it. LR
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4214 )	tom w	Larry; It was T 150TH Street and Cedar Ave, the back was toward Calumet Ave. I don,t remember a 159th in Hammond, Just in Illinois. I also remember a trucking company on a short,one block long street between Pine and Oak off of 150th. The company was Nowak Trucking or Welsh Brothers and the street was Trankle Court. Anyone else remember this? Anyone remember the smell of the Queen Anne candy factory or the sound of their noon whistle that also blew at 8:00 AM and 10,10:15,12:30,2:00,2:15 and 4:00 but we called it the noon whistle. Regards, Tom W
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4215 )	BobK	Wasn't Bordon's on Lyman near downtown next to the Monon tracks? Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4218 )	Roger D	Your speaking of dairys reminded me of Dixie Dairy on Huehn Ave. between Wabash and Sheffield. Do any of you remember it? I went to school at Lincoln Elementry 1st thru 6th grade. We lived on Dearborn, State Line and Clark Sts. during that time. ('51-'57)
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4219 )	Roger D	We walked to school everyday, winter & summer rain, shine, snow and cold. It was just about a mile from Clark St. to the school between Towle and Cameron Sts. We cut through the Dixie Dairy parking lot everyday. Can't see kids today walking half that far to school today.
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4220 )	S C Jones	from 1898 to 1929 The Hammond Dairy Formerly located at Fayette Street and Oakley Avenue - Clinton Street and the Erie Railroad If the Hammond Dairy were still around today it would be celebrating its centennial. Founded just before the turn of this century, by two brothers Louis and Paul Klitzke. The two enterprising young businessmen started out with just one horse and one wagon. But their small milk business would not remain small for very long. The dairy started off as a one story red brick building with a second story being add to the building to house the dairy's 75 horses. In fact their modest sized Hammond milk depot would at one time be the second largest dairy in the entire state of Indiana in it's heyday, second only to a dairy in Indianapolis. The Hammond Dairy had a peak production capacity of 100,000 pounds of milk per day. The Hammond Dairy was well known in the industry for it's state of the art equipment. The plant on Oakley Avenue was enlarged several times so that new equipment could be installed. The Hammond Dairy Company's refrigeration, pasteurization and sterilization equipment was the best of it's kind in the nation. The Hammond Dairy Company produced milk and milk products including butter, cheese, whipped cream and it's famous "Velvet Brand Ice Cream". The ice cream was made on the second floor then sent down to the freezer on the first floor, where it was put into containers. Machines to manufacture Eskimo Bars were on the first floor in the former office space of the original dairy and were wrapped in foil by hand in the old days. In 1921 the dairy was enlarged with a new structure built on Clinton Street, just east of the Erie RR. This helped make use of a rail spur in which the raw milk shipped from Arkon IN was pumped into a receiving tank to await processing. The Company was always quick to keep pace with the city's rapid growth and to keep up with it's growing demand and customer base. Borden's Dairy purchased the company in 1929. The Borden's company made a major expansion in the late 1950's which included a new milk receiving room, testing laboratory, paper carton storage room, enlarged cooler area, enlarged bottling room, in floor conveyors and a new loading dock. Due to shifting markets the plant was phased out and later closed. One of the last remaining plant structures was razed during 1972. Ending a part of the city's industrial history.
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4221 )	BobK	Thanks S C. I can barely remember it and it was the Clinton and Erie RR location that I vaguely remember. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4223 )	duane	quote: Originally posted by tom w Larry; It was T 150TH Street and Cedar Ave, the back was toward Calumet Ave. I don,t remember a 159th in Hammond, Just in Illinois. I also remember a trucking company on a short,one block long street between Pine and Oak off of 150th. The company was Nowak Trucking or Welsh Brothers and the street was Trankle Court. Anyone else remember this? Anyone remember the smell of the Queen Anne candy factory or the sound of their noon whistle that also blew at 8:00 AM and 10,10:15,12:30,2:00,2:15 and 4:00 but we called it the noon whistle. Regards, Tom W Welsh Brothers Trucking! That's the one I was trying to remember. My sister worked there during high school as a clerk. Boy they had some old beat up trucks that no one else would operate. Always breaking down too.
12-18-2009 ( Reply#: 4224 )	RicKoe	quote: Originally posted by S C Jones from 1898 to 1929 The Hammond Dairy Formerly located at Fayette Street and Oakley Avenue - Clinton Street and the Erie Railroad If the Hammond Dairy were still around today it would be celebrating its centennial. Founded just before the turn of this century, by two brothers Louis and Paul Klitzke. The two enterprising young businessmen started out with just one horse and one wagon. But their small milk business would not remain small for very long. The dairy started off as a one story red brick building with a second story being add to the building to house the dairy's 75 horses. In fact their modest sized Hammond milk depot would at one time be the second largest dairy in the entire state of Indiana in it's heyday, second only to a dairy in Indianapolis. The Hammond Dairy had a peak production capacity of 100,000 pounds of milk per day. The Hammond Dairy was well known in the industry for it's state of the art equipment. The plant on Oakley Avenue was enlarged several times so that new equipment could be installed. The Hammond Dairy Company's refrigeration, pasteurization and sterilization equipment was the best of it's kind in the nation. The Hammond Dairy Company produced milk and milk products including butter, cheese, whipped cream and it's famous "Velvet Brand Ice Cream". The ice cream was made on the second floor then sent down to the freezer on the first floor, where it was put into containers. Machines to manufacture Eskimo Bars were on the first floor in the former office space of the original dairy and were wrapped in foil by hand in the old days. In 1921 the dairy was enlarged with a new structure built on Clinton Street, just east of the Erie RR. This helped make use of a rail spur in which the raw milk shipped from Arkon IN was pumped into a receiving tank to await processing. The Company was always quick to keep pace with the city's rapid growth and to keep up with it's growing demand and customer base. Borden's Dairy purchased the company in 1929. The Borden's company made a major expansion in the late 1950's which included a new milk receiving room, testing laboratory, paper carton storage room, enlarged cooler area, enlarged bottling room, in floor conveyors and a new loading dock. Due to shifting markets the plant was phased out and later closed. One of the last remaining plant structures was razed during 1972. Ending a part of the city's industrial history.
12-19-2009 ( Reply#: 4225 )	HassoBenSoba	Tom-- I can't believe I screwed up ANOTHER post; yes, it was 150th and Cedar (I managed to get it right in my initial Dec 12th post about the Dairy). I couldn't even get my USER NAME right when I signed up for Sheptalk; I took it from the 3 Stooges short "Malice in the Palace". The mid-eastern tough-guy played by Vernon Dent is named "Hassan Ben Sober" (to which Shemp replies: "I've had a few too many myself!") quote: Originally posted by tom w Larry; It was T 150TH Street and Cedar Ave, the back was toward Calumet Ave. I don,t remember a 159th in Hammond, Just in Illinois. I also remember a trucking company on a short,one block long street between Pine and Oak off of 150th. The company was Nowak Trucking or Welsh Brothers and the street was Trankle Court. Anyone else remember this? Anyone remember the smell of the Queen Anne candy factory or the sound of their noon whistle that also blew at 8:00 AM and 10,10:15,12:30,2:00,2:15 and 4:00 but we called it the noon whistle. Regards, Tom W
12-19-2009 ( Reply#: 4226 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by HassoBenSoba Tom-- I can't believe I screwed up ANOTHER post; yes, it was 150th and Cedar (I managed to get it right in my initial Dec 12th post about the Dairy). I couldn't even get my USER NAME right when I signed up for Sheptalk; I took it from the 3 Stooges short "Malice in the Palace". The mid-eastern tough-guy played by Vernon Dent is named "Hassan Ben Sober" (to which Shemp replies: "I've had a few too many myself!") quote: Originally posted by tom w Larry; It was T 150TH Street and Cedar Ave, the back was toward Calumet Ave. I don,t remember a 159th in Hammond, Just in Illinois. I also remember a trucking company on a short,one block long street between Pine and Oak off of 150th. The company was Nowak Trucking or Welsh Brothers and the street was Trankle Court. Anyone else remember this? Anyone remember the smell of the Queen Anne candy factory or the sound of their noon whistle that also blew at 8:00 AM and 10,10:15,12:30,2:00,2:15 and 4:00 but we called it the noon whistle. Regards, Tom W Well, Larry, just keep on "screwing up," because you have breathed new life into this message board since you have become an active poster. Tom
12-19-2009 ( Reply#: 4227 )	S C Jones	[:)]
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4520 )	EastHammondBoomer	http://www.falstaffbrewing.com/_borders/Plt11_e.jpg Does anyone remember the old Falstaff silos located under the Chicago Skyway? My dad used to drive us all the way north on Calumet to where it intersected with Indinapolis Blvd right at the Lever Brothers plant. We'd go west into South Chicago and drive all the way on US41 past a nice golf course onto south LSD. We'd go to museums or just enjoy the Chicago lake front. On the way back to Hammond, we'd eat at the Howard Johnson across from the Holiday Inn on north Calumet. Those times live on in my heart and soul. Now days, Howard Johnson's is another restaurant called Jonnel's (sp?), my parents divorced back in '72, my dad lives in Longview, Texas, my dear mother suffers from Alziemers and one of my two sisters passed away two years ago from Lupus. I keep in touch with my only surviving sister who lives in Chicago. I had wished my parents and my sisters and I could have had a reunion along with all the grandkids there at Jonnel's as if to relive those good ol' days but it can't happen. If anything, I now have realized I need to TREASURE, CHERISH and APPRECIATE the simple moments I have with my wife and kids even if it's at a local McD's. Dave
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4524 )	BobK	I remember all those places. I lived a block west of the Holiday Inn. It and the Toll Road really messed up my play ground. Before all those buildings were built on the west side of Calumet from 141st to the 41 Drive-in, it was a play ground and camping grounds for a lot of us kids to have adventures. Stood there in 55 watching Standard Oil blow up and burn.
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4527 )	tom w	I was a night auditor at Ho-Jos and my best friends future wife was the hostess at the restaurant. During that time as I was working one night, Casius (sp?)Clay and his brother Rudy checked in. That musta been a while ago, huh? Tom W
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4530 )	Dave	I well remember the Falstaff malt house/grain elevators alongside the Skyway. I could see them from my bedroom window. (Yes, we lived in Chicago.) My uncle worked there. We were chased by the Falstaff security guards for starting a brush fire in the no man's land between the Short Line and the Penn Central railroad tracks. They even fired a warning shot! Once Falstaff shut down, my friends and I would wander the property. A very dangerous pastime, as I recall there was a kid that died there wandering about alone. His body was not found for many months.
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4532 )	EastHammondBoomer	Not to stray too far away from Hammond as a topic, Dave, you mentioned living in Chicago near the Falstaff plant, that area has some strong childhood memories for me. My dad would take me and some of my friends to the shore along Lake Michigan which is now where the Hammond Marina is and we would illegally (sp?) go over the chainlink fence of the Edision plant and walk to the shore which was made up of huge cement blocks. There, we would "snag" fish. I recall using a big treble hook weighted down with sinkers. One day I snagged a big 10lb ugly carp. It always amazed me how we could find rabbits and other small wildlife living among such an industrial area.
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4535 )	Dave	The Calumet Region is the most biologically diverse area in the interior of North America. In between the factories and refineries, you can find little bits of prairie, lakes, woodlands, rivers, swamps, dunes, savannas, etc., etc. I think that is a big part of the charm of the region. The scrub woods along Lake Michigan just south of the generating plant is a renowned birding site. The Stateline generating plant is actually in Hammond so we're not straying too far off topic. A lot of people did the trespassing thing to do exactly what you did. The "rocks" around the plant were opened to the public (maybe in the 70s?) for fishing. (I wonder if they are still accessible?) We used to go smelt fishing there in the Spring.
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4537 )	EastHammondBoomer	Dave, Thanks for the interesting info. I'm so glad to have joined this forum. So far I have learned a lot from fellow Regionites! Dave quote: Originally posted by Dave The Calumet Region is the most biologically diverse area in the interior of North America. In between the factories and refineries, you can find little bits of prairie, lakes, woodlands, rivers, swamps, dunes, savannas, etc., etc. I think that is a big part of the charm of the region. The scrub woods along Lake Michigan just south of the generating plant is a renowned birding site. The Stateline generating plant is actually in Hammond so we're not straying too far off topic. A lot of people did the trespassing thing to do exactly what you did. The "rocks" around the plant were opened to the public (maybe in the 70s?) for fishing. (I wonder if they are still accessible?) We used to go smelt fishing there in the Spring.
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4539 )	BobK	I used to go perch fishing at the generating station. No one ever said anything about me going through the fence.
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4544 )	MrRazz	Hey Dave, you mentioned smelt fishing. My dad, brother, and I had the opportunity to go smelt fishing one time with the Lamberts (used to live on S. Arizona Ave). I was quite young, but it was a "hoot". Got alot of those little boogers. My mom fried them up, and they were oh, so good until she told us she hadn't cleaned the guts out of them. I guess she thought they were so small... kind of like sardines...that you didn't need to. Maybe that is common practice, I don't know, but it put a damper on our appetites. Good memory...
01-07-2010 ( Reply#: 4545 )	duane	quote: Originally posted by Dave The Calumet Region is the most biologically diverse area in the interior of North America. In between the factories and refineries, you can find little bits of prairie, lakes, woodlands, rivers, swamps, dunes, savannas, etc., etc. I think that is a big part of the charm of the region. The scrub woods along Lake Michigan just south of the generating plant is a renowned birding site. I don't want to be contrary, Dave, but you don't know how many times I have heard the statement "The XX area (insert whatever you want here)is the most biologically diverse area in the country" I have worked in natural resources for the past 35 years of my life and I have heard this said about every one of the 10 discrete areas that I have lived and worked. And yes, I have worked as a naturalist at Indiana Dunes and I am aware of the ecology, of Cowles Bog, or the (at the time) groundbreaking work that was done on ecological succession by studying distance and time from lakeshore southward. It is easy to make such a statement, quite another thing to provide evidence to support or refute it once it is made. My take, each area is unique, each makes its own contribution to the quilt of American natural resources. One is not better, although there are certainly areas that don't have as many varied species as others. I am sure there are renowned scientist or professors from some University (probably one close to the Calumet Region) that claim the Region is THE MOST BIOLOGICALLY DIVERSE in the nation and they probably have published papers and alleged facts to that end. However, despite what we learned in school, I have concluded that much of science is tainted by what the investigator wants to believe or conclude. "Pure" science is rare, especially these days. So I'll agree that the Region is a neat place biologically and I loved exploring Pincushion Bog and Cowles Bog and Mount Baldy and Mount Tom and the interdunal ponds and the Nipissing Dunes that can still be found hidden between industrial lands in Gary. But guess what, the Southern Indiana Hills with Pioneer Mothers grove, and Southern Illinios with Cypress swamps and LaRue Pine Hills and Oakwood Bottoms, and the Mississippi floodplain, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with crystal clear spring fed ponds where you can see fish 40 feet down, and Taquamenon falls, and the Stonington jack pine flats, and Nothern Minnesota with more water and bogs and wetlands, and majestic white pine and the amazing BWCA with 1000 year old cedar....all those places are pretty darn special and may be as or even more biologically diverse. And I'm willing to bet that people on this forum now living across America could say pretty much the same thing for areas they have lived and explored. I hope I haven't offended anyone or hurt anyone's feelings, as that wasn't my intention. Just a biologist and forester and explorer of the outdoors giving his feelings.
01-08-2010 ( Reply#: 4553 )	Bill Bucko	quote: Originally posted by Dave ... In between the factories and refineries, you can find little bits of prairie, lakes, woodlands, rivers, swamps, dunes, savannas, etc., etc. I think that is a big part of the charm of the region. ... I've commented on other posts about the PRAIRIE, yes, an actual half-mile long WILD PRAIRIE that was right there in the middle of Hammond, south of the IHB railroad yard, north of 165th/Summer Blvd, and east of Indianapolis Blvd. -- at least through the '60s. My family lived close by, on Kenwood, and we would take our dogs rabbit hunting there. The prairie was so huge that at least once, one of the dogs appeared to be permanently lost. It took a few minutes of shouting before we finally heard her answering yelp far in the distance. I remember cattails, horsetails, lots of sand and low brush ... and, of course, what were called "rabbit balls." East-sider Shep talks a lot about places on the west side of town; yet I've never come across any mention of the prairie just one mile from his house, even though he must have passed it every day on his way to Hammond High. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
01-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4593 )	EastHammondBoomer	[IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/Kayo2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/Kraml.jpg[/IMG] I don't know if anyone alrerady asked this or covered this topic but does anyone recall that chocolate-flavored water called Kayo? Where I grew up, we had a corner store called Smith's Royal Blue. It was located on the south east corner of Michigan and Columbia. It was torn down to make a right-turn lane. I loved that little mom-and-pop store! Well, aside from Kayo, I remember buying Vernor's ginger ale, Wanzer's Milk (Wanzer on milk is like stering on silver, sound familiar?), Kraml Milk and Bun candy bars. Bozo Circus gave Bun bars as part of the Grand Prize Game prizes. On a somber note, I was in that corner store with my mom (I was four years old) when the radio which was playing music on the AM band announced JFK had been shot in Dallas. Camelot had died. Dave G
01-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4600 )	EastHammondBoomer	Does anyone remember the A&P and Stienberg & Baum stores on Sohl close to the post office? I seem to remember Stienberg & Baum prevoiusly being located on State Street across from the Hammond Public Library. I always wanted to eat at Cataldi's there on Sohl & State but it closed before I got the chance. Did anyone ever eat there? Dave G
01-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4603 )	duane	Wow - Steinberg-baum....haven't heard that name in years. And Kraml Milk....believe it or not, Kermit the Frog and Piano playing dog used to do Kraml milk commercials long before they became popular on Sesame Street. The commercials were quite violent, with Dog usually blowing Kermit up with a cannon. There are some clips on Youtube of these two advertising other products this same way, but I couldn't find any for Kraml milk.
01-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4606 )	Roger D	WOW, Steinberg-Baum had great prices. I remember two things I bought there. The first and best was my wife's original wedding and engagement rings and later an 8 1/2' fly rod. After 45 years of marriage I still have both. Roger D.
01-10-2010 ( Reply#: 4616 )	EastHammondBoomer	When I was in 8th grade or maybe freshman year I remember when the old court house downtown was being torn down. I have a vivid image in my mind of the east wall (facing the dogleg curve on Hohman) being removed thus exposing the interior rooms, wall and floor sections as if a time capsule had been opened in public. Here's a photo courtesy of the HPL I saved a few years ago. You can see the court house's shadow being cast on the south entrance of Goldblatt's. [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/oldcourthouse.jpg[/IMG] Has anyone here ever been inside before it was razed? Dave G
01-10-2010 ( Reply#: 4617 )	Tom J	Cool picture, Dave! Thanks for sharing that. I can't remember ever being in the old courthouse. Man, would I ever like to turn back the clock to the times when that picture was taken! [:(] Tom
01-10-2010 ( Reply#: 4618 )	BobK	I was never in the building but I waited for buses in front of it. One day I was waiting for a bus to go visit my cousin in Munster and I was holding a dollar bill out in front of me between my thumb and index finger and one of the many pigeons that called the Court House home, pooped on George Washington.
01-10-2010 ( Reply#: 4619 )	EastHammondBoomer	Thanks, Tom J and Bob K, I couldn't agree with you more Tom and Bob - that's hilarious! I'm taking my kids to Junior Bible Quiz practice at our church in a few minutes so I probably won't post or reply for at least another 4 hours. Thanks again, Dave G
01-10-2010 ( Reply#: 4621 )	Jay	quote: Originally posted by BobK I was never in the building but I waited for buses in front of it. One day I was waiting for a bus to go visit my cousin in Munster and I was holding a dollar bill out in front of me between my thumb and index finger and one of the many pigeons that called the Court House home, pooped on George Washington. Your post brought back an unpleasant memory for me. Back in the early 80's, I had picked up my new nylon school jacket at the local cleaners. I was so proud of it that I decided to wear it while I finished my errands. I had some business out at Calumet College up in Whiting. So I drove north on Calumet Avenue, then turned east on 125th street, a street that runs right through Lake George. It was a bright sunny afternoon, so I had the driver window rolled down and my arm sticking out. Then I felt something hit my arm. An unseen bird had made a target of the left sleeve of my newly cleaned jacket. You should have seen the surprise look I received when I returned the jacket to the cleaners within 30 minute of picking it up.
01-10-2010 ( Reply#: 4623 )	BobK	Probably a seagull, otherwise known as a flying rat.
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4649 )	EastHammondBoomer	[IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/childrensbargaintown1970.jpg[/IMG] I know some of you fellow Shep Talk posters may have celebrated a "few" more birthdays than have I, but I was a kid back in the 60's and I can still hear that TV commercial in my head "Bargain Town! Bargain Town! Bargain Town, USA!" I wish would have kept any of my toys from back then. I know that store became what we now call Toys 'R' Us. I think that's where my magnetic-vibrating NFL football game came from. It was fun watching the little plastic players end up doing a massive "square dance" in the middle of that metal field! Did anyone here ever shop there? Dave G
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4652 )	EastHammondBoomer	Just one more question before I close for today: does anyone remember the boxy-shaped Yellow Cab taxis made by Checker which had these cool little folding chairs in the rear? I also remember there was a Howard's cab which had red and white paint.
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4653 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by EastHammondBoomer Just one more question before I close for today: does anyone remember the boxy-shaped Yellow Cab taxis made by Checker which had these cool little folding chairs in the rear? I also remember there was a Howard's cab which had red and white paint. Sure do remember those taxis, even though I don't think I ever rode in one. There was also a "Checker" cab company, right? Tom
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4654 )	S C Jones	Bob and Jay, Just so you won't feel too special, I'll tell you of my being targeted by a bird (in Nashville) that could have been one of Da Region's birds gone south or heading back north.... I was on the way to a final exam with no time to spare on my college campus when a bird dropped one on my skirt. I had to go on to the exam and was so sure I smelled to high heavens the whole time..... (Quote) one of the many pigeons that called the Court House home, pooped on George Washington.
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4655 )	Joel357	Both Howard's Cab and Hammond Yellow were customers of mine. They had Motorola Business Dispatchers(made specifically for the taxi industry)in the cars. Those Checker American cars were built like brick S*&t Houses and they would put 400,000 to 500,000 miles on them. They wanted to have a majority of their fleet Checker American because they wouldn't have to carry parts from different manufacturers in stock. Now, the cab companies buy mostly Ford Crown Vics from police departments. Those are old police cruisers. Joel
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4656 )	Joel357	Tom J, Checker Cab was owned by Hammond Yellow and Checker Cab. Their motto was "A thinking fellow rides a Yellow". Joel
01-11-2010 ( Reply#: 4657 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by Joel357 Tom J, Checker Cab was owned by Hammond Yellow and Checker Cab. Their motto was "A thinking fellow rides a Yellow". Joel Cool. Thanks, Joel. Tom
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4659 )	EastHammondBoomer	Ever since joining this great forum (more like a gathering of friends reminiscing), I have wanted to throw out a question here and there about little things I recall from my childhood in Hammond and Da Region. I know there is a lot of knowledge from all of you and it's okay if my question draws no bites. My memory is a little blurry but I recall the older Lafayette school building close to my home had this metal fire escape "duct" or tunnel which was on the outside of the building along one of the sides up on the top floor. I always tried to imagine what it must have felt like to slide down inside it. I also sorta remember Wallace and Riverside school buildings before they were torn down and reconstructed. Did anyone's school building have one of those fire escape chutes? Dave G
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4661 )	EastHammondBoomer	[IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/1family1966.jpg[/IMG] I'm not sure if I should have started a new thread subject line for this topic/question but I wanted to ask if anyone has memories of the Lake County Fair in Crown Point? I think we only went a few times but it had a lasting impression on me. The 4-H, cake and other foods contests, mechanical rides, etc. I posted a picture of my family when I was seven years old. Our red Buick LeSabre station wagon would take us many places. I used to sit in the little fold-down rumble seat which made me face the traffic behind us. That car had what was called "power brakes". I later found out why they called them that when I tried driving it with my dad! We'd take Sunday drives down to Rensselaer or Winnimac or even Turkey Run State Park. Good times. Dave G
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4662 )	BobK	Dave, I went to Wallace but I don't recall one of the tubes there. I do remember the one at Lafayette and others but I don't recall where. My mother and I lived with my grandparents while my dad was off to war. The house was the first house south of Wallace School. There was the school set back from Calumet facing Jefferson St I think, although I always used the east entrance, and the old wooden gym to the south next to the alley. Across the alley was a long brick building that had housing in the back and a soda shop in the front. Then there was a vacant lot and then our house at 6234 Calumet Ave. My grandparents died a few years apart, my dad came back from the war and we moved to 444 Highland St when I was about 6 so I don't remember a whole lot from there. I do remember my dad had made a great swing set for me in the back yard and shortly before they tore the block down to build the new school I took my wife for a drive down the alley past the back yard to see if the swings were still there. They weren't and what seemed like such a large back yard in my memory was so small. I remember Dana Drumstead lived a few doors to the south. She was an older girl that befriended me. I remember years later when I worked at Burger's that she and her mother came in to shop. At the corner of Kenwood there was an old gas station with an outside grease pit, which were later outlawed. I can recall walking to the grocery store with my mother. The store was on the east side of Calumet and north of the rr tracks. It must have been across the street from the fire station. I remember standing there at the tracks waiting for the train to go by and getting cinders in my eyes from the steam engine. I remember when we were almost to the store I was walking with my hands in my pockets and tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and fell on my face. Mom was worried about my front teeth but they were OK but boy did that hurt. I remember the candy store on Jefferson across the street from the school. It was on the front porch of a house if I remember correctly but this was when we lived on Highland St. Wow! I did a little rambling there didn't I?
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4666 )	Tom J	Dave: I LOVE that family picture! It looks like you had a great little family. It's nice to have memories of a great childhood, isn't it? I wish EVERY kid could grow up in a home like my childhood home, one with love, stability, and security. It looks like you did. Tom P.S. I don't remember one of those tubes at Wallace, but they had one at Washington Jr. High when I was going to school there.
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4667 )	tom w	Dave; At Irving they had portable wooden bldgss for 2nd grade, a newer 2 story brick for K thru sixth and an old 4 story for seven thru ninth. Although the fourth floor was not used because it was a gym and a stage and they built a new gym and auditorium that opened my first year in the old building, the fourth floor was condemed but we could still sneak up there. It had a fire door which opened to the roof and fire escape that was rusted so bad, it was just hanging loosely. One of my thrills was to go up there in the dark and explore. Since the floor was all wood, when I walked across it, it squeaked loudly in the ceilings of the classrooms of the whole third floor. So all the teachers called the principal, Mr Lockey. He came up with the janitor and I went out the fire door and dove down the condemed fire escape so the fire escape banged against the wall all the way down bringing all the classes to the windows to see what the racket was. I ran around the corner of the playground and across the street where my house was. Meanwhile Mr Lockey ran down the stairs and out the new gym door. He knew that I always hid in my garage and locked the door so he went to my back door and knocked for my mom. He had given up on trying to discipline me years ago so he would leave it up to my parents. My dad took care of the punishment. Tom W
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4669 )	BobK	Tom, Mr Lockey was principal when I was there. I liked him even though I got a few swats from him. I think Mrs Dunning was the english teacher? She gave the worst swats. Mrs Stiner was math teacher? She had my dad as a student when he went there. She always used a kleenix when opening a door. Mr Krueger was the mechanical drawing teacher. He transferred to HHS as a coach. I'm not sure what classes he taught.
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4671 )	EastHammondBoomer	Tom W & Bob: thanks for posting some of your childhood memories about Irving. I don't know if you've already seen this but the school web site has a video showing the "old" building before it was demolished. I watched it but it's not what I thought it'd be: http://www.hammond.k12.in.us/irvinges/Irving%20past%20and%20present.htm Dave G
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4672 )	tom w	Bob Bernie Kruger started as wood shop teacher and he helped Mr Thompson as Asst. Coach. Mr Kruger COULD GIVE SWATS. He made his paddle with holes in it for killer aerodynamics. Miss Steiner had blue hair!! Ms Clark had the library and taught Latin. I liked her and took 2 years of Latin. She also had drama club. We did a play in Latin called "Rudra Kucola". In English, "Little Red Riding Hood." I remember lots more but the above stands out. Tom W
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4676 )	EastHammondBoomer	This may not qualify for "Gone but not forgotten" but I used to like shopping at Montgomery Ward (Monkey Ward) in Munster. I guess it was a Sears caliber store. Even had a nice little diner toward the rear. I can still see that fake seal blowing a beach ball up in the air in the vacuum cleaner display. If I remember right, there were other stores, a candy shop and a restaurant in that plaza. Does anyone have any Montgomery Ward memories? Why is the HAMMOND clinic located in MUSNTER? Dave G
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4677 )	BobK	Hammond Clinic and Wards used to be located in downtown Hammond. Wards was located on the east side of Hohman just south of the bend. I went to Hammond Clinic when it was in Hammond but I can't remember what building it was in. I believe it was originally named Kuhn Clinic.
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4683 )	MrRazz	Dave, Oh, the Lake County Fair...I remember going to it almost every year. The grounds were beautiful and at fair time it was so exciting and busy with all the exhibits, judging, and so many other activities. There was a grandstand by the lake...seems to me they had some kind of races there, but my memory fails me. Also, there was a beach for swimming on the lake. Actually, I think I fell "in love" once at the fair, but being so young then, I have done that several times since. Crown Point itself had a lot of character and history. Unfortunately we never had a station wagon, but we had neighborhood friends whose families did. It was a treat to ride with them...we would always scramble to the back , fold the seat down into the floor, and had all that room to play in. Funny how Chrysler just figured out how to do that with their mini vans. You mentioned Turkey Run State Park...one of my fondest memories as a kid was going to the Rockville Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County with my family during the peak of the fall colors. The bridges and the countryside were the most elaborate scenery I had ever seen. I took my wife and daughters there a few years ago. In fact, I found a winter photo recently on the web of the covered bridge at Turkey Run State Park that I have for the background on my desktop. Thanks for bringing those memories back with your post and family photo.
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4684 )	EastHammondBoomer	MrRazz (Tim), I'm glad you also shared your fond memories of a place and time captured in one's heart and soul. Dave G quote: Originally posted by MrRazz Dave, Oh, the Lake County Fair...I remember going to it almost every year. The grounds were beautiful and at fair time it was so exciting and busy with all the exhibits, judging, and so many other activities. There was a grandstand by the lake...seems to me they had some kind of races there, but my memory fails me. Also, there was a beach for swimming on the lake. Actually, I think I fell "in love" once at the fair, but being so young then, I have done that several times since. Crown Point itself had a lot of character and history. Unfortunately we never had a station wagon, but we had neighborhood friends whose families did. It was a treat to ride with them...we would always scramble to the back , fold the seat down into the floor, and had all that room to play in. Funny how Chrysler just figured out how to do that with their mini vans. You mentioned Turkey Run State Park...one of my fondest memories as a kid was going to the Rockville Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County with my family during the peak of the fall colors. The bridges and the countryside were the most elaborate scenery I had ever seen. I took my wife and daughters there a few years ago. In fact, I found a winter photo recently on the web of the covered bridge at Turkey Run State Park that I have for the background on my desktop. Thanks for bringing those memories back with your post and family photo.
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4685 )	S C Jones	Mr. Clavin must be reading my mind. Just this morning I was lamenting the inability to go directly to a posting and VOILA! this evening the arrows appeared and I clicked on one. THANK YOU for that new addition to our site! Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville!
01-12-2010 ( Reply#: 4686 )	HassoBenSoba	I'll try to tie as many of these topics together as possible. The only time I was ever in the old Hammond Courthouse was to apply for a summer job; it was a set-up....my dad, who was a very A-political guy, nevertheless called a few Hammond bigwigs to see if they would give me a local or county job. It was a miserably hot day in early June of 1971, and I remember wearing this ridiculous pair of striped blue bell-bottoms, which my dad thought made me look presentable. The guy I had to see for the interview was a typical cigar-chomping, polyester-wearing, backroom-dealing Hammond pol whose name I'll withold. But I got the job---as a ground crew laborer at the Lake County Fairgrounds. It was a fun summer, and the other guys and I easily spent as much time screwing around as we did working. We were always climbing over the chain-link fence down at the sound end of the grounds to run over to the convenience store, competing with each other for the attention of the babes who served as summer counselors for the kid's programs, and emptying big, raunchy 55-gallon garbage cans that had been baking in the summer heat. Our boss was this old guy name Stan Drozyzinksi who had a dalmation dog named Mitzi; so I guess that made her Mitzi Drozyzinski. I remember sticking a glob of wood putty into the tail-pipe of the car owned by one of our fellow workers who was really a jerk; can't remember how that one ended when he started the car to go home. -------------- RE: big metal tube-like things on buildings: the one I remember most was this huge MAIL CHUTE that ran down the side of the embankment at the East Chicago South Shore station off Indy Blvd; it extended from the top of the elevated platform down to the parking lot. When my dad was working his daytime Chicago radio show in the '50's, my mother would take Mike and me to pick him up around 5pm; Mike always told me to watch the bottom end of the chute, since he thought our dad would slide down it instead of using the stairs. Larry r
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4689 )	Roger D	Dave G. To answer your question as to why the Hammond Clinic is in Munster. If I remember correctly it is because the Whiting Clinic is or was in Hammond (169th. st. in Woodmar). HE He Roger D
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4693 )	EastHammondBoomer	What's the name of the imitation brick sheets or shingles which most always peeled at the corners and seams? The house next to ours had this as siding. Our house had those brittle shingles (asbestos?) which were tucked under the row above. Here are a couple of photos for reference: [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/Photo1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/large_calumet2.jpg[/IMG] Also, I found this photo of the phone directories from the 60's. I wish I would have kept our old phone books. Anyone remember these? [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/phonebook.jpg[/IMG] Dave G
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4694 )	BobK	The house I bought on the north side had that siding. I don't remember what it was called. Our house and the in-laws was the asbestos shingles.
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4695 )	S C Jones	quote: Originally posted by BobK The house I bought on the north side had that siding. I don't remember what it was called. Our house and the in-laws was the asbestos shingles. Our house in the Grand Park neighborhood of Hessville and several in our neighborhood had those Asphalt wannabe brick-look shingles.
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4696 )	EastHammondBoomer	I hope I didn't offend anyone whose house had that asphalt siding. I don't doubt a lot of those houses kept their siding in tact. quote: Originally posted by BobK The house I bought on the north side had that siding. I don't remember what it was called. Our house and the in-laws was the asbestos shingles.
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4697 )	S C Jones	EHB, No offense taken---that siding was what it was and nothing lasts forever--except maybe brick if it is kept up and tended to--I think the asphalt siding was an insulator and from what I have read about it, it was put on with a heat source, kinda sealed to the wood rather than nailed on???? I dunno, though! quote: Originally posted by EastHammondBoomer I hope I didn't offend anyone whose house had that asphalt siding. I don't doubt a lot of those houses kept their siding in tact. quote: Originally posted by BobK The house I bought on the north side had that siding. I don't remember what it was called. Our house and the in-laws was the asbestos shingles.
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4698 )	BobK	It had and overlapping edge and they were nailed from what I remember doing maintenance. Something like a tongue and groove but not.
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4699 )	S C Jones	Yes, Bob--- I went back to find what I had read. Actually MISREAD! In 1940 Sears, Roebuck & Company catalogues offered brick-type insulating panels in 14" X 43" units, five bricks high and four-point (hexagonal) asphalt siding in brown tone, red tone, jade green and tile red. Advances in the production of roll Rolled asphalt brick siding was made possible through the introduction of heated rollers that pressed patterns into the surface I am sure my dad got the brown stuff from Sears because to afford the house, he helped to build it. Our neighbor's house was a gray version of the same siding. quote: Originally posted by BobK It had and overlapping edge and they were nailed from what I remember doing maintenance. Something like a tongue and groove but not. Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville!
01-13-2010 ( Reply#: 4700 )	BobK	Mine was like a blonde brick. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
01-14-2010 ( Reply#: 4703 )	EastHammondBoomer	[IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/gas.jpg[/IMG] I realize I may not be from the same era as most here on this forum, but I like reading the personal experiences and memories...some humours while others touching if not inspirational. With that being said (or written), I recall the local gas stations (fillin' stations heard here in the Bluegrass state) from my early Region days. I'd get a free STP sticker at my corner Phillips 66 dependending on who was at the cash register (and what mood he was in). Just yesterday I had to shell (pun intended) out 75 cents for air in my tires! Sometimes as we'd drive through other towns, cites or states, I'd see some gas station with a name I didn't know. As we went through Arkansas I recall Lion brand gas. I'm sure there are tons of other renamed or defunct gas brands out there. I remember Gulf was a TV sponsor for The Wonderful World of Disney (wathched it every Sunday). Later in my life I was stationed in the Persian Gulf. We were part of the one-day-war called Operation Praying Mantis. Does anyone have any memeories or interesting info about fillin' stations? Dave G
01-14-2010 ( Reply#: 4704 )	duane	Great memories there. My favorite - Standard Oil ('cause the refinery was in Whiting) Their slogan was "As you travel, ask us!" I've still got several (free) highway maps of Indiana and Illinois from Standard, Sinclair, etc. I really miss the guy with the greasy squeeze bottle that would squirt the liquid on your window and wipe down the windows...only to have them more smeared than before.
01-14-2010 ( Reply#: 4709 )	MrRazz	Remember that the gas station was a great place to warm up when delivering newspapers in the middle of winter and an oasis in the hot summertime after downing a cold "pop" or 2. My dad swore Shell and Clark gas made his car run better...premium of course. Air was free, and sometimes the attendant would fix a flat on your bicycle for free. Oil sat in a rack by the pump and they would even put it in for you. Attendants wore uniforms...some with caps and a name on the uniform, so you knew who they were. What ever happened to the competitive "gas wars"? Usually could get your car fixed there without having to go to the dealership. Times have changed...ya' think?
01-16-2010 ( Reply#: 4710 )	tom w	Do you remember Purple Martin gas? The attendants had to wear purple tights for a while. Remember when you got a gift with a fillup? A nice coffee mug or drinking glass (collect the whole set) or an ice scraper or a key chain or a toy. Remember when they got a quart of oil out of a red tank with a crank pump on top. Remember when they put a quart of oil in, they put the cardboard oil can on a tank upside down to drain the can? We were sitting on a fence on the corner of Waltham and Hohman one night watching the cars pull in and out of the Clark station. This red Chevy pulls in with three guys in the front seat and three girls in the back. They were all dressed up to go to the drive-in. They got a dollar in gas and a pack of cigarettes. When they started to leave, the driver spotted us and said something cute to the kids in the car. They all laughed. He gunned the car and popped the clutch. Sounded like an explosion and we saw parts shooting all over the street. As we walked away laughing so hard, the tears rolled down our cheeks and our cheeks ached. The car and its occupants sat quietly halfway in Hohman Ave and halfway in the Clark station. Tom W
01-16-2010 ( Reply#: 4716 )	duane	As I recall there was a Purple Martin station near Calumet Ave around 148th ro 145th St? I remember the commercials for Purple Martin Ethyl.
01-16-2010 ( Reply#: 4718 )	BobK	I think it was Calumet and Chicago Duane. SE corner.
01-17-2010 ( Reply#: 4721 )	tom w	Bob's right. I spent a lot of time around that corner cause I worked for the Mills family for a few years and their old place was behind Clara's lunch near Chicago and Calumet. (Mills Electric Co.) Tom W
01-18-2010 ( Reply#: 4737 )	Jim Plummer	This sounds like the stuff my father bought off tv from the greatest tv salesman of all time--MARTY FAY. The stuff was called inso-brick and it looked like old red bricks with black trim. The stuff lasted about ten years before it was replaced with aluminium siding. I remember that it didn't hold up well when being hit by a baseball. My father also bought storm windows from Marty Fay which ment that the screen windows no longer were changed twice a year for glass storm windows. quote: Originally posted by S C Jones Yes, Bob--- I went back to find what I had read. Actually MISREAD! In 1940 Sears, Roebuck & Company catalogues offered brick-type insulating panels in 14" X 43" units, five bricks high and four-point (hexagonal) asphalt siding in brown tone, red tone, jade green and tile red. Advances in the production of roll Rolled asphalt brick siding was made possible through the introduction of heated rollers that pressed patterns into the surface I am sure my dad got the brown stuff from Sears because to afford the house, he helped to build it. Our neighbor's house was a gray version of the same siding. quote: Originally posted by BobK It had and overlapping edge and they were nailed from what I remember doing maintenance. Something like a tongue and groove but not. Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville!
01-18-2010 ( Reply#: 4741 )	S C Jones	Jim, your mention of Marty Faye brought back memories of early TV "infomercials". I found this online by googling his name: The dateline was 1992 and the state was Florida Marty Faye, 70, the raspy-mouthed maverick of Chicago radio and television for more than 30 years, died Friday in North Miami Beach, Fla., of a heart attack. Mr. Faye developed his distinctive voice while starting out in commercials in New York. "I was in New York, and I couldn't sell anything until I raised it two octaves or so, and then suddenly everything came together," Mr. Faye said in a 1973 newspaper interview. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Faye was a graduate of Samuel Tilden High School. He attended St. John's University in New York, where he studied pre-law. During summers while he attended college, Mr. Faye sold kitchen gadgets in a dime store in New York. He was so good at it ... There are also articles about his sister and his daughter, both in the limelight entertainment/politics. I can remember my Dad grumbling everytime Marty Faye came on the screen! [:D quote: Originally posted by Jim Plummer This sounds like the stuff my father bought off tv from the greatest tv salesman of all time--MARTY FAY. The stuff was called inso-brick and it looked like old red bricks with black trim. The stuff lasted about ten years before it was replaced with aluminium siding. I remember that it didn't hold up well when being hit by a baseball. My father also bought storm windows from Marty Fay which ment that the screen windows no longer were changed twice a year for glass storm windows. quote: Originally posted by S C Jones Yes, Bob--- I went back to find what I had read. Actually MISREAD! In 1940 Sears, Roebuck & Company catalogues offered brick-type insulating panels in 14" X 43" units, five bricks high and four-point (hexagonal) asphalt siding in brown tone, red tone, jade green and tile red. Advances in the production of roll Rolled asphalt brick siding was made possible through the introduction of heated rollers that pressed patterns into the surface I am sure my dad got the brown stuff from Sears because to afford the house, he helped to build it. Our neighbor's house was a gray version of the same siding. quote: Originally posted by BobK It had and overlapping edge and they were nailed from what I remember doing maintenance. Something like a tongue and groove but not. Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville! Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville!
01-18-2010 ( Reply#: 4751 )	HassoBenSoba	My dad, Chicago radio guy Mike Rapchak, knew Marty Faye very well and worked with him at WAAF during the mid-50's (somewhere we have photos of them together in the studio). My dad thought Marty was a big pain-in-the-_____, but basically an OK guy. He told me of a time when Marty was on the air LIVE reading a commercial...something to do with picture frames or picture lockets of some sort. Anyway, my dad gets a big 8x10" photo of Marty and sticks it into a toilet seat that he had just bought for our home; Marty is reading the commercial LIVE ON THE AIR, and my dad is on the other side of the sound booth window, gets Marty's attention, then OPENS the toilet seat lid to reveal the portrait of Marty with a big s___-eating grin on his face. Mr. Faye.. how shall we say.... failed to make it through the commerical that day. LR
01-18-2010 ( Reply#: 4755 )	Tom J	Cool, cool story, Larry! That is FUNNY! Share all ya got like that! Tom
01-22-2010 ( Reply#: 4803 )	BobK	I tried to post a new topic but it's not working. MINAS HISTORY BOOK: http://nwitimes.com/news/local/article_9c50e883-9c79-53d7-a33d-2e8745c174c0.html
01-22-2010 ( Reply#: 4806 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by BobK I tried to post a new topic but it's not working. MINAS HISTORY BOOK: http://nwitimes.com/news/local/article_9c50e883-9c79-53d7-a33d-2e8745c174c0.html Bob, this is HUGE! I don't know why you were not able to start a new thread, but I will be glad to do so and copy your post there. THANK YOU! Tom
01-22-2010 ( Reply#: 4807 )	Jim Plummer	Great story! I hope you can dig up some photos of these two together. I can still hear Fay's voice in my head. I wonder if there is a recording of him somewhere? Thanks again for that! quote: Originally posted by HassoBenSoba My dad, Chicago radio guy Mike Rapchak, knew Marty Faye very well and worked with him at WAAF during the mid-50's (somewhere we have photos of them together in the studio). My dad thought Marty was a big pain-in-the-_____, but basically an OK guy. He told me of a time when Marty was on the air LIVE reading a commercial...something to do with picture frames or picture lockets of some sort. Anyway, my dad gets a big 8x10" photo of Marty and sticks it into a toilet seat that he had just bought for our home; Marty is reading the commercial LIVE ON THE AIR, and my dad is on the other side of the sound booth window, gets Marty's attention, then OPENS the toilet seat lid to reveal the portrait of Marty with a big s___-eating grin on his face. Mr. Faye.. how shall we say.... failed to make it through the commerical that day. LR
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4874 )	Cindy M	How 'bout Big Top Supermarket at the corner of 165th and Grand Ave. in where else, good ole Hessville? A gas station once also occupied this corner..Standard I think. And Roy's Pharmacy just a little west of it on 165th. The buildings seem to still be there, but no idea what they are now.
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4875 )	Roger D	Big Top was my first paying job, 1960 it paid $.50 an hour as a bag boy. I don't remember who owned, operated the Standard station, but we used Roy's Pharmacy in the '70s. Roger D.
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4876 )	tom w	Was that a Big Top that Dick Tiebel had on the corner of Routes 41 and 30 kitty corner from his parents restaurant? We worked there for a short while too. We could start another blog just naming the places that we worked. No wonder people say "With your work experience, you must be at least 150 years old." One of the greatest things about growing up in the region was the availability of work. Funny thing was, the reason that we left around the end of the 80s was because of the LACK of work. Any other opinions, please? Tom W
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4877 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by tom w Was that a Big Top that Dick Tiebel had on the corner of Routes 41 and 30 kitty corner from his parents restaurant? We worked there for a short while too. We could start another blog just naming the places that we worked. No wonder people say "With your work experience, you must be at least 150 years old." One of the greatest things about growing up in the region was the availability of work. Funny thing was, the reason that we left around the end of the 80s was because of the LACK of work. Any other opinions, please? Tom W I left Hammond before the decline, so I can only remember the good times, the times when there was work for all who wanted to work. That was one thing about growing up in The Region in the good old days: we learned the work ethic. Our parents taught us to work for what we wanted and not to expect to have everything handed to us. Tomster
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4878 )	MrRazz	I delivered the Hammond Times just south of there on Grand, Montana, Missouri, Maryland, and Kentucky during the '60's. Remember stopping at Big Top for snacks. Also, the Standard station was my refuge where I would warm up from those cold winter evening walks making my deliveries and my oasis for a cold "pop" during the heat of the summer.
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4881 )	tom w	Believe it or not, we walked from north Hammond to Tech every day. We stopped under the Womder Bread fan in the winter to warm up on the way to school. If it was real cold, we stopped at White Castle for a hot coco. Later on, we stopped at Bartons. On the way home, we always stopped at Miner Dunn for french fries and a garbage Coke. By the way, I still have garbage Cokes today at Steak and Shake. Reminds me of Kwi-Kee Snax on Hohman and Douglas. Tom W
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4882 )	Cindy M	quote: Originally posted by MrRazz I delivered the Hammond Times just south of there on Grand, Montana, Missouri, Maryland, and Kentucky during the '60's. Remember stopping at Big Top for snacks. Also, the Standard station was my refuge where I would warm up from those cold winter evening walks making my deliveries and my oasis for a cold "pop" during the heat of the summer. And it is here we brought our bikes to fill the tires with air. We had such busy, busy bikes!
01-31-2010 ( Reply#: 4883 )	Cindy M	Every now and then Big Top would have, just to the right of the doors as you enter them, a big thing at which someone would be standing frying up fresh donuts. Between Roy's and Big Top, we spent nearly every penny, dime, nickle, and even the occasional quarter (a fortune!) on candy and other wonderful delights. Roy's was great for candy necklaces, wax "soda" bottles, wax lips..wax teeth! And punkin seeds. Big Top was great for the wonderful array of Hostess yummies..cupcakes, fried fruit pies, Snoballs. Mmmm. Oh! And tootsie rolls, tootsie roll pops, M&M's, Heath Bars, jaw breakers!
02-01-2010 ( Reply#: 4897 )	Roger D	Tom J mentioned the work ethic we learned from our parents and he knows what he is talking about. For those of you who don't know Tom's dad was a MAN to be looked up to. His father, Paul, lost his left arm when he about 16 due to a hunting accident. He married, raised a family and worked providing for that family and still found time to fish and hunt. He never depended on anyone to support him. He is a man to be looked up to as I have said. I knew Tom's dad, and to see him drive that stick shift Ford Econoline Van, shift gears and eat a Snickers bar all with one hand was amazing!! Roger D.
02-01-2010 ( Reply#: 4898 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by Roger D Tom J mentioned the work ethic we learned from our parents and he knows what he is talking about. For those of you who don't know Tom's dad was a MAN to be looked up to. His father, Paul, lost his left arm when he about 16 due to a hunting accident. He married, raised a family and worked providing for that family and still found time to fish and hunt. He never depended on anyone to support him. He is a man to be looked up to as I have said. I knew Tom's dad, and to see him drive that stick shift Ford Econoline Van, shift gears and eat a Snickers bar all with one hand was amazing!! Roger D. Thanks, Roger, for the kind words about Dad. He truly was quite a man, and I am proud to be his son. He worked two jobs to support us so that Mom would not have to work outside the home. Tomster
02-01-2010 ( Reply#: 4900 )	BobK	Tom, I can picture your Dad at work in my mind. Didn't he carry some kind of hand sign that he held under his left arm? I saw him quite regularly when I worked at Sears.
02-01-2010 ( Reply#: 4901 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by BobK Tom, I can picture your Dad at work in my mind. Didn't he carry some kind of hand sign that he held under his left arm? I saw him quite regularly when I worked at Sears. It was Dad's left arm that was missing, Bob. I don't know of any sign that he would have carried in his work at Minas's. Tom
02-01-2010 ( Reply#: 4902 )	BobK	OK Tom, I don't know either. It was a long time ago and not all memories are that clear.
02-02-2010 ( Reply#: 4903 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by BobK OK Tom, I don't know either. It was a long time ago and not all memories are that clear. Yeah, I know how THAT goes. Wouldn't it be cool if somehow we could get all of our memories cleared right up, as if they had just happened? Tom
02-02-2010 ( Reply#: 4905 )	Jim Plummer	I know this is a bit late but thanks for the info on Marty Faye. I guess voice of his will live forever in my mind. quote: Originally posted by S C Jones Jim, your mention of Marty Faye brought back memories of early TV "infomercials". I found this online by googling his name: The dateline was 1992 and the state was Florida Marty Faye, 70, the raspy-mouthed maverick of Chicago radio and television for more than 30 years, died Friday in North Miami Beach, Fla., of a heart attack. Mr. Faye developed his distinctive voice while starting out in commercials in New York. "I was in New York, and I couldn't sell anything until I raised it two octaves or so, and then suddenly everything came together," Mr. Faye said in a 1973 newspaper interview. Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Faye was a graduate of Samuel Tilden High School. He attended St. John's University in New York, where he studied pre-law. During summers while he attended college, Mr. Faye sold kitchen gadgets in a dime store in New York. He was so good at it ... There are also articles about his sister and his daughter, both in the limelight entertainment/politics. I can remember my Dad grumbling everytime Marty Faye came on the screen! [:D quote: Originally posted by Jim Plummer This sounds like the stuff my father bought off tv from the greatest tv salesman of all time--MARTY FAY. The stuff was called inso-brick and it looked like old red bricks with black trim. The stuff lasted about ten years before it was replaced with aluminium siding. I remember that it didn't hold up well when being hit by a baseball. My father also bought storm windows from Marty Fay which ment that the screen windows no longer were changed twice a year for glass storm windows. quote: Originally posted by S C Jones Yes, Bob--- I went back to find what I had read. Actually MISREAD! In 1940 Sears, Roebuck & Company catalogues offered brick-type insulating panels in 14" X 43" units, five bricks high and four-point (hexagonal) asphalt siding in brown tone, red tone, jade green and tile red. Advances in the production of roll Rolled asphalt brick siding was made possible through the introduction of heated rollers that pressed patterns into the surface I am sure my dad got the brown stuff from Sears because to afford the house, he helped to build it. Our neighbor's house was a gray version of the same siding. quote: Originally posted by BobK It had and overlapping edge and they were nailed from what I remember doing maintenance. Something like a tongue and groove but not. Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville! Grand Park Subdivision 1940-1961 Boondocks of Hessville!
02-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4958 )	Doug G	quote: Originally posted by Joel357 Both Howard's Cab and Hammond Yellow were customers of mine. They had Motorola Business Dispatchers(made specifically for the taxi industry)in the cars. Those Checker American cars were built like brick S*&t Houses and they would put 400,000 to 500,000 miles on them. They wanted to have a majority of their fleet Checker American because they wouldn't have to carry parts from different manufacturers in stock. Now, the cab companies buy mostly Ford Crown Vics from police departments. Those are old police cruisers. Joel
02-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4959 )	Doug G	My post above was suppsed to state that the cabs were Checker Marathons if I remember correctly. I drove for Hammond Yellow a few times as 2nd and 3rd jobs. They were owned (at that time) by Tom and Pete. Their last name was Coulas (I think). Those were some rugged vehicles.
02-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4961 )	Doug G	quote: Originally posted by tsofred Kwikee Snax,Manhattan Lunch,The Kettle,Chat & Chew,Pow Wow,Serenade,Kelly's,Prince Castle,Cam Lan,41 Outdoor,Moonlight Drive In ,(Cline & Michigan aves),Pauls Drive In,Arts Drive In(Caumet Ave) Arts (five points)Nick & Georges on State & State Line,(cancer clinic) Nick & georges moved to Hohman Ave across from Harrison Park...still have the dreatest steaks anywhere...Maid Rite,Red Rooster,Jim;s Drive In,The Mirth Drive In,Woodmar Shopping Center,(all that is left is Carsons), As a teenager, I worked at Jim's Drive In. I can remember that it was open all night (I worked midnights with my mom). I also remember that we got a lot of the police officers. They were never charged for their food although they always tipped the server. Because of Jim's jukebox, I became a fan of country music instead of the music my contemporaries listened to!
02-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4962 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by Doug G My post above was suppsed to state that the cabs were Checker Marathons if I remember correctly. I drove for Hammond Yellow a few times as 2nd and 3rd jobs. They were owned (at that time) by Tom and Pete. Their last name was Coulas (I think). Those were some rugged vehicles. Doug: The little icon with the pencil is the edit button. You can click on that and then make changes in or additions to your post. Tom
02-09-2010 ( Reply#: 4965 )	tom w	Doug; Jim's drive-in had the best T-bone steaks in the known universe. I remember going in one night with Joe Mis from the Yankee Inn on the corner of Calumet and Hoffman. He bet me twenty bucks that I couldn't eat a dozen eggs with potatoes, sausage, toast and coffee. I won. Those were the days. If I knew that I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. LOL Tom W
03-12-2010 ( Reply#: 5101 )	tom w	I was reading the site this morning and suddenly came up with a name from the past and can't remember what it was or where it was. maybe you guys can help. Does anyone remember a store called Dildine's? Tom W
03-12-2010 ( Reply#: 5102 )	Tom J	Tom: Dildine's was a hobby shop and toy store on Calumet Avenue. I think they had slot car races there from what I have read. I don't believe that I was ever in the store. The 1965 City Directory shows a "Dildine's Lawnmower Repair" at 5711 Calumet Avenue. I don't remember that it was a lawnmower shop, but I guess it must have been that too. Tom
03-12-2010 ( Reply#: 5104 )	Jim Plummer	They did a little of everything. They were on Calumet ave. Up a block or so and across the street from the Calumet theater. They were the second best place in Hammond to buy Lionel trains. Of course Minas's only sold trains during the Christmas season. The layout was downstairs and one year the basement got flooded and ruined their stock. I still have a semifore bridge from that sale. quote: Originally posted by Tom J Tom: Dildine's was a hobby shop and toy store on Calumet Avenue. I think they had slot car races there from what I have read. I don't believe that I was ever in the store. The 1965 City Directory shows a "Dildine's Lawnmower Repair" at 5711 Calumet Avenue. I don't remember that it was a lawnmower shop, but I guess it must have been that too. Tom
03-12-2010 ( Reply#: 5105 )	tom w	OK, Thanks guys. You cleared it up. When Dildines went out of business, the empty store was rented by a company called National Electronics Institute. They had four courses. Radio, TV, industrial electronics and first class F.C.C. licensing. I went thru the first three and wanted the fourth. Most of the students wanted TV repair so they all dropped out after radio and TV. One other guy wanted first class. I'll never forget standing in that rented storefront with those other two guys and staring at the floor when the instructor said "I'm not gonna teach a class for 2 guys." I had never been inside Dildines but I remembered people talking about it. Thanx guys. Tom W
03-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5106 )	HassoBenSoba	As soon as I figure out how to do it, I am going to post on You Tube a 45-minute video documentary that I made a few years ago about Hammond's "MOM and POP" Toy Stores of the 1950's and '60's; Dildine's is included in it, even though I incorrectly remembered it as being on Columbia and not Calumet Ave. That mistake of mine was corrected in an interview (also taped) that I did with Ted Maka, the owner/proprieter of MAKA's Variety Store on Columbia Ave near 172nd. Included on the documentary are: 1.) Pint Size 2.) Sharon Mae's 3.) Hessville Hobbies 4.) Stern's Hardware 5.) Newberry's 6.) Stork Town 7.) Pla-Time 8.) Calumet Hobby Time 9.) McCauley's 10). Maka's 11.) Gentry's 12.) Dildine's and 14.) Pee-Wee's (Highland). I hope to post the video soon. Ted Maka had many detailed memories of the Calumet area and its hobby stores. Maka's sold American Flyer, etc but Dildine's was the area's only authorized Lionel dealer. Ted knew the guy who owned Dildine's quite well--friendly competitiors, you might say. My dad took me to Dildine's before Christmas in 1961, and I remember being fascinated by the Lionel "Aquarium Car" which I saw on display there. In 1978 I took a casette recorder for repair to the business that took over the store-front. The building at 5711 Calumet is still standing, but it's glory years are, unfortunately, LONG gone.
03-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5109 )	Roger D	After closing in Hammond didn't Dildines move to Indpls. Blvd. in Highland, but on a smaller scale? I vagely remember a sign south of Ridge Road on the west side of the street. Roger D.
03-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5110 )	Dave	I remember a hobby store on Calumet in Whiting/Robertsdale. No name pops into my head though. It was on the east side of the street, maybe 117th street? It was the nearest place to home where I could get individual pieces of HO slot car tracks.
03-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5111 )	Jim Plummer	So when did Dildines close. Anybody remember?
03-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5117 )	Tom J	Larry, I am anxiously awaiting that video of yours. Hurry up and "get smart." :) Tom
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5175 )	tom w	I have a question. Were any of you guys ever a "Patrol Boy?" As I drive around today, I don't see anymore Patrol Boys and I don't rememmber when or why they disappeared. When we were Patrol Boys we could put on our white belts and walk out in the middle of any intersection in North Hammond and stop traffic immediately. Also, we had a motorcycle cop that would stop and say "Hi" and watch us every week! For ten year old boys, back in 1952, we were pretty much bulletproof! Nowadays all I see is orange vests and orange gloves and red STOP signs and yellow flashing lights saying School Zone and maybe a Police car hiding down the street. It sure takes a lot of stuff to do the same job that we "Patrol Boys" used to get done with just a little white belt. My apologies to the ladies but back then there werent any patrol girls or patrol persons just patrol boys. I dont know why, there just werent. I guess that if a girl wanted to be a patrol boy and Coach Thompson said OK then ther would have been Patrol Girls too. Tom W
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5177 )	SixTGunr	I was a patrol boy in the Hessville area and my post was located at the intersection of Orchard Drive & Arizona Ave right there at Hessville Park. That was when I attended OLPH school. I also was a patrol boy on the bus too. I remember there was a particular way to fold that thing and then you would wear it on your belt all day till it was time to go on duty ... Another memory ... thanks for jogging the noodle here ...[;)] Six
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5179 )	Roger D	PATROL BOY!! I haven't thought of that in years. I was a patrol boy at Lincoln Elementry in north Hammond for two years (5th & 6th grade) and again at OPM in the 8th. Man what memories.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5180 )	Jim Plummer	I was one also in 8th grade at OLPH. I think we were supposed to help the adult crossing guard at the crossing. quote: Originally posted by Roger D PATROL BOY!! I haven't thought of that in years. I was a patrol boy at Lincoln Elementry in north Hammond for two years (5th & 6th grade) and again at OPM in the 8th. Man what memories.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5181 )	cartoonguy	I was a patrol boy in the 6th grade, it was my last year at Woodrow Wilson Elementary, we would patrol all the school doors, also the corners of 173rd and Columbia, 173rd and Chestnut, plus we would also assist with the school crossing guard.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5182 )	BobK	6th grade at Lincoln. Corner of Towle and 142nd. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5183 )	nitti	Count me in - OLPH '65 - corner Orchard and Arizona - forgot all about learning to "roll up the belt". We also got to use the stop sign on a stick when we weren't just sticking our arms out.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5184 )	Tom J	Tom W, thank you for bringing this up! It looks like several of us had the honor of being patrol boys, and I was one too. Here's a picture of me wearing my patrol belt, but I should have worn a dark shirt to make the white belt show up better. This was taken in June of 1960, so I would have just turned 11 years old at the time and would have been just finishing fifth grade at Wallace Elementary School. I was standing in my front yard at 6432 Woodward Avenue. Tom [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/My%20house/img041.jpg[/IMG]
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5185 )	duane	Hey Tom - you were quite the studly guy back then!! I see the 1958 Chevy in the background. Was that your family's car? Here in Minnesota, they still have patrol boys...although there are very few boys that do this job. Mostly girls. My daughter came home a couple of years ago from middle school and said "Dad, would you be willing to drive me to school on your way to work, so I can get there early and be a patrol?" She did it all year long, and winters are long and cold (sometimes -35 degrees) here in northern MN. Back when we were patrols in the 1960's they would give us a pocket knife as the year end award. That would be a BIG no no these days and the kid would get expelled permanently just for having a pocket knife at school. So now, they take them to the amusement park south of Minneapolis (and of course, the kids get out a a full day of school for the trip, because it is 3 hours just to get to MNPLS.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5186 )	Tom J	No, Duane, that was not our '58 Chevy. That belonged to a neighbor, I guess. I don't remember that car. Tom
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5187 )	Roger D	Hey Bob K what years were you at Lincoln? I was there from 1st thru 6th grade. Went to Clark for 7th in '56. We got a trip to Comiskey Park to watch the White Sox at the end of the school year.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5188 )	Roger D	Mr. Sutter was the patrol sponser, he was the only male teacher at Lincoln. My favorite teachers there were Mrs. Bruckman & Mrs. Hickman.
03-28-2010 ( Reply#: 5189 )	BobK	I'm thinking 52 & 53 for 5b and 6th with Mr. Sutter. The only one I can remember in my class was Don Bailey because I transferred to Lincoln from Wallace and Don loaned me a pencil my first day. From Lincoln I went to Irving. Shortly after returning from the Army I bought his parent's house. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
03-29-2010 ( Reply#: 5190 )	HassoBenSoba	I did patrol boy duty at OLPH off and on from fall '62 to spring '65--corner of 171st and Arizona, right in front of the rectory. Occasionally my brother Mike (also a patrol dude)and I would meet on the street and use those stop-signs-on-a-stick like battle-axes; this was during our "knight/viking" phase. LR [B)]
03-29-2010 ( Reply#: 5199 )	Jim	My post in 1958-59 was at Cleveland Street and Parrish Avenue, right in front of Harding Elementary School. Those belts were really cool. The toughest part of the job was learning the "correct" folding of the belt to attach it to your own. Then, there was the loud whistle and arm maneuver (waving both arms over the head and back down in a full circle) relayed to signal the other patrol boys when their duty was over. In payment we were allowed an extra 5-10 minutes to walk back to school from posts that could be several blocks away. Thanks for the memories !!
03-30-2010 ( Reply#: 5201 )	SixTGunr	Tom J ... Great foto sir ... Thanks for sharing that ... Six
03-30-2010 ( Reply#: 5205 )	HassoBenSoba	Tom-- Yeah, thanks for the photo. The tree-lined street, the cool cars, the bright sun, nice lawn....I bet it was one of those classic old-time summer days, when everything seemed just right. Larry R
03-30-2010 ( Reply#: 5206 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by HassoBenSoba Tom-- Yeah, thanks for the photo. The tree-lined street, the cool cars, the bright sun, nice lawn....I bet it was one of those classic old-time summer days, when everything seemed just right. Larry R Yeah, Larry, it was June, Baby! School was either just out for the summer or would soon be out. I would get one of the greatest thrills of my life that summer, and that was a round trip on the famous train, The California Zephyr, from Chicago to San Francisco (actually, Oakland) with my sister, who was a "Zephyrette." The Zephyrettes were the social directors and were like airline stewardesses, only they had even more responsibilities. There was only one Zephyrette for the whole train. Tom
04-04-2010 ( Reply#: 5247 )	tom w	Bob; Did Don Bailey go on to Tech? Did he possibly have a sister? If so, I remember him. If you remember David Barnett , I bet you also remember Rich Ordena from Irving. He was from the 4800 block of Oak St. I think he went on to Hammond High. Does anyone remember a radio program called Corliss Archer? Another one was A Date with Judy. One of the comments that I read was that these programs were before sex, drugs and rock an roll. I guess one example of the proof of that statement lies in the story of Ricky Nelson, huh? Tom W
04-05-2010 ( Reply#: 5251 )	Jim Plummer	I recently acquired a Christmas tv episode of Corliss Archer from MIll Creek. It was very wholesome!
04-05-2010 ( Reply#: 5256 )	BobK	Tom, I think he did go to Tech and he had a sister named Phillis. I remember Rich and the Corliss Archer program but not without the help of your mentioning them. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
04-05-2010 ( Reply#: 5263 )	Bill Bucko	Speaking of Corliss Archer ... Looking at my overloaded shelves, here's a list of just some of the great '50s TV programs now available on DVD: Ernie Kovacs Groucho Marx Jack Benny Red Skelton The Honeymooners Andy's Gang Little Rascals (OK, originally 1930s) Perry Como Liberace Howdy Doody Kukla, Fran and Ollie Watch Mr. Wizard Science Fiction Theatre One Step Beyond Twilight Zone Rocky Jones, Space Ranger Capt. Gallant of the Foreign Legion Sky King Long John Silver The Buccaneers Robin Hood Superman The Lone Ranger The Cisco Kid Sea Hunt Victory at Sea Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Ramar of the Jungle You Asked for It Beat the Clock I've Got a Secret The Eve Arden Show Meet Corliss Archer My Little Margie Adventures of Topper Ozzie and Harriet Our Miss Brooks I Married Joan Lassie Mr. Ed Maverick Davy Crockett Annie Oakley Bat Masterson Death Valley Days Zane Grey Theatre 26 Men Kit Carson Jim Bowie Fury The Gabby Hayes Show Wyatt Earp The Range Rider The Rifleman Roy Rogers Shotgun Slade And on VHS: Crusader Rabbit The Man and The Challenge Tales of the Vikings Still on my Want List: Uncle Johnny Coons The Rough Riders My Friend Flicka Five Fingers Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
04-06-2010 ( Reply#: 5265 )	tom w	Bill; Great list. Still missing a few like Queen for a Day and You asked for It. Good luck with the Lunchtime Little Theatre thing though, I couldnt get anything from them back then except a postcard of the Weinermobile that said "Eat more Weiners". Just thought of a few more, Bill. How bout Lux Video Theatre, Texaco Star Theatre, and Sid Caesar and Imogene Cocoa. Please forgive the spelling, I went to Tech!! Looking at your list as it is catagorized (comedy, western,etc) I wonder how todays TV would look beside it. Might give some insight as to what direction we are headed. Anyhow thanks for the contribution. Tom W
04-07-2010 ( Reply#: 5272 )	Bill Bucko	Sorry, I forgot: Zorro Mickey Mouse Club Love That Bob (The Bob Cummings Show) And from my Want List: The Millionaire What direction are we headed? I'm afraid it's not up. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
04-07-2010 ( Reply#: 5274 )	Tom J	quote: Originally posted by Bill Bucko Sorry, I forgot: Zorro Mickey Mouse Club Love That Bob (The Bob Cummings Show) And from my Want List: The Millionaire What direction are we headed? I'm afraid it's not up. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63 You're right, Bill, we are definitely NOT headed up. I can't believe the decline in morals just within the span of our lifetimes. Do you guys realize that there was no such thing as "ratings" on programs or movies that were aired on TV in our younger days? If it was aired, it was fit for the whole family to watch. Tom
04-07-2010 ( Reply#: 5277 )	Jim Plummer	Bill, I have four episodes of the Rough Riders on Dvd. Jan Merlin, who played Lt. Kirby once told me he hated the hat they gave him to wear so he kept losing it until they gave up. I have a couple of Pinky Lee shows from Alpha and they are amazing. He never stops running around and is always catching his breath. It's no wonder he had a heart attack and was off for awhile.
04-08-2010 ( Reply#: 5284 )	seejay2	quote: Originally posted by Bill Bucko Sorry, I forgot: Zorro Mickey Mouse Club Love That Bob (The Bob Cummings Show) And from my Want List: The Millionaire What direction are we headed? I'm afraid it's not up. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63 I remember some kind of little newspaper that was going around in the 60s where the Legion of Decency, or someone, would put out a rated list of movies currently playing. If you even thought of seeing one of those in the "Condemned' section, you could be assured that somehow the nuns would find out about it and make the rest of your life miserable. I remember seeing the movie, "I Am Curious-Yellow" in there and I was scared crapless to ask anyone what a title like that meant, in mortal fear that nuns would begin to congregate outside my front door in preparation of some kind of 'intervention' for a kid with a snake-filthy mind....Cj
04-09-2010 ( Reply#: 5292 )	Saito_56	quote: Originally posted by EastHammondBoomer When I was in 8th grade or maybe freshman year I remember when the old court house downtown was being torn down. I have a vivid image in my mind of the east wall (facing the dogleg curve on Hohman) being removed thus exposing the interior rooms, wall and floor sections as if a time capsule had been opened in public. Here's a photo courtesy of the HPL I saved a few years ago. You can see the court house's shadow being cast on the south entrance of Goldblatt's. [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/oldcourthouse.jpg[/IMG] Has anyone here ever been inside before it was razed? Dave G Great photo, I have some info on it. Back in the 60's my dad worked at Goldblatt's as a electrical engineer. He got me a summer job there in the paint, and kitchen tables department. The building next to Goldblatt's in the photo was once a telephone switchboard office, according to my mom who worked there. I guess it was in the early 40's. When I worked at Goldblatts the building was used to store stock. I spent lots of time in that building digging out stock and bringing stock into it. Oh yeah, no air conditioning in there either!![:D] Rather be living in Indiana
04-09-2010 ( Reply#: 5293 )	Saito_56	quote: Originally posted by EastHammondBoomer [IMG]http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae306/EastHammondBoomer/gas.jpg[/IMG] I realize I may not be from the same era as most here on this forum, but I like reading the personal experiences and memories...some humours while others touching if not inspirational. With that being said (or written), I recall the local gas stations (fillin' stations heard here in the Bluegrass state) from my early Region days. I'd get a free STP sticker at my corner Phillips 66 dependending on who was at the cash register (and what mood he was in). Just yesterday I had to shell (pun intended) out 75 cents for air in my tires! Sometimes as we'd drive through other towns, cites or states, I'd see some gas station with a name I didn't know. As we went through Arkansas I recall Lion brand gas. I'm sure there are tons of other renamed or defunct gas brands out there. I remember Gulf was a TV sponsor for The Wonderful World of Disney (wathched it every Sunday). Later in my life I was stationed in the Persian Gulf. We were part of the one-day-war called Operation Praying Mantis. Does anyone have any memeories or interesting info about fillin' stations? Dave G Remember the Sunoco custom blend gas pump? You could dial up what ever octane you wanted, cheap gas or high octane for that big drag race you were going to have.[img]http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo27/Saito56/Flagler/sunoco511_2_5.jpg[/img] Rather be living in Indiana
04-09-2010 ( Reply#: 5294 )	Saito_56	quote: Originally posted by Tom J Tom W, thank you for bringing this up! It looks like several of us had the honor of being patrol boys, and I was one too. Here's a picture of me wearing my patrol belt, but I should have worn a dark shirt to make the white belt show up better. This was taken in June of 1960, so I would have just turned 11 years old at the time and would have been just finishing fifth grade at Wallace Elementary School. I was standing in my front yard at 6432 Woodward Avenue. Tom [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/My%20house/img041.jpg[/IMG] Check out the "58" Chevy in the background! Rather be living in Indiana
04-10-2010 ( Reply#: 5300 )	Jim Plummer	Does anybody have any of those Legion Of Decency lists? I would love to see one again. I remember seeing some of the 'b' films on the list and wondering what was bad in the movie. I'm thinking of the Martin and Lewis film where they join the circus. quote: Originally posted by seejay2 quote: Originally posted by Bill Bucko Sorry, I forgot: Zorro Mickey Mouse Club Love That Bob (The Bob Cummings Show) And from my Want List: The Millionaire What direction are we headed? I'm afraid it's not up. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63 I remember some kind of little newspaper that was going around in the 60s where the Legion of Decency, or someone, would put out a rated list of movies currently playing. If you even thought of seeing one of those in the "Condemned' section, you could be assured that somehow the nuns would find out about it and make the rest of your life miserable. I remember seeing the movie, "I Am Curious-Yellow" in there and I was scared crapless to ask anyone what a title like that meant, in mortal fear that nuns would begin to congregate outside my front door in preparation of some kind of 'intervention' for a kid with a snake-filthy mind....Cj
04-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5335 )	LegulusQ	The small newspaper you are referring to was Our Sunday Visitor, with movie ratings supplied by the Legion of Decency. At first, movies were rated either A:Morally Unobjectionable, B:Morally objectionable in part, or C:Condemned. If you so much as watched one of the C movies you were doomed straight to Hell! [}:)] Such morally bankrupt movies included: Grease, All That Jazz, Some Like It Hot, Psycho, From Russia With Love, A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales (apparently Clint Eastwood was in the LOD doghouse!), and The Last Picture Show. I guess I've sealed my fate several times over! Later, the system got more complicated and the A movies were further subdivided into A-I, A-II, and A-III. LegulusQ
04-13-2010 ( Reply#: 5345 )	duane	Ah, yes...the Our Sunday Visitor. Catholic families couldn't help but get it in the mail every week, because it was automatically assessed to your "pew rent". Remember that one? We used to read the OSV movie ratings for entertainment. After I snuck in to see Summer of '42 in downtown Chicago and then Carnal Knowledge...I figured I should pretty much ignore those movie ratings.
04-14-2010 ( Reply#: 5350 )	Jim Plummer	How did you sneak -in and which theaters were these in downtown Chicago? My favorite was a film by Russ Meyer- Vixen which was pretty suggestive but mild by what you can see today. It played at the Loop theater for over a year. That was the little theater next door to the Chicago theater. quote: Originally posted by duane Ah, yes...the Our Sunday Visitor. Catholic families couldn't help but get it in the mail every week, because it was automatically assessed to your "pew rent". Remember that one? We used to read the OSV movie ratings for entertainment. After I snuck in to see Summer of '42 in downtown Chicago and then Carnal Knowledge...I figured I should pretty much ignore those movie ratings.
04-14-2010 ( Reply#: 5352 )	BobK	I remember seeing Vixen and I believe it was at the Ridge Road Drive-in. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
04-14-2010 ( Reply#: 5353 )	Jim Z	When I was a kid we got OSV, and when the movie guide was included (was it there in every issue?) I would immediately go to the condemned section. Not that I would/could go to them... quote: Originally posted by BobK I remember seeing Vixen and I believe it was at the Ridge Road Drive-in. Bob [img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] Jim Zacny
04-14-2010 ( Reply#: 5354 )	duane	Originally posted by Jim Plummer How did you sneak -in and which theaters were these in downtown Chicago? My favorite was a film by Russ Meyer- Vixen which was pretty suggestive but mild by what you can see today. It played at the Loop theater for over a year. That was the little theater next door to the Chicago theater I can't recall which theaters - it was so many years ago. Summer of 42 might have been at the Oriental. Don't really remember about Carnal Knowledge. We had fake Driver's license IDs (didn't you?) There was a drive in movie theater out in St. John that was called the Twin Oaks (or something like that). It showed X rated movies. I remember seeing the Stewardesses in 3D. Pretty funny sitting there with a bunch of guys in red/green 3D glasses at a drive in. Good thing we had those glasses on...we could have lost an eye from the 3D effect, if you know what I mean!!! I remember the Loop Theater. In later years, it turned into an electronics/boombox store, which I thought was pretty sad. I also remember the Cinestage. This was at one time a wonderful theater with the wide, curved screen. I believe that our family saw Battle of the Bulge there (my dad was in the battle of Ardenne Forest, so he loaded up the family as soon as this movie came out and didn't wait for it to finally come to Hammond). I also saw 2001 and Ice Station Zebra at the Cinestage. I believe in later years, this too turned into a porno theater...and I think I saw the Girls of the 4077 (MASH) playing there!
04-15-2010 ( Reply#: 5358 )	BobK	Duane, I think it was Great Oaks and it was in Cedar Lake.
04-15-2010 ( Reply#: 5360 )	Jim Plummer	I think the best effect in the Stewardesses was the pool game when somebody pushed the back end of a pool cue into the audience. I never had a fake license since I've always been tall and people always assume. I could buy beer in a liquor store when I was seventeen without getting carded. We used to watch movies at that drive -in all the time before the adult films started playing. I knew the manager of the Oriental theater quite well. His name was Mickey Gold. He loved Disney cartoons and would always book one with each feature. Also he kept a room behind the second balcony available for the Chicago Police to relax and play cards in. His thinking was that in case of trouble he had police on the scene. The projectionist at the Cinestage during the porn years was the guy who got me in the union out here in L A. He used to watch classic movies in the booth on 16mm while the audience watched porn. quote: Originally posted by duane Originally posted by Jim Plummer How did you sneak -in and which theaters were these in downtown Chicago? My favorite was a film by Russ Meyer- Vixen which was pretty suggestive but mild by what you can see today. It played at the Loop theater for over a year. That was the little theater next door to the Chicago theater I can't recall which theaters - it was so many years ago. Summer of 42 might have been at the Oriental. Don't really remember about Carnal Knowledge. We had fake Driver's license IDs (didn't you?) There was a drive in movie theater out in St. John that was called the Twin Oaks (or something like that). It showed X rated movies. I remember seeing the Stewardesses in 3D. Pretty funny sitting there with a bunch of guys in red/green 3D glasses at a drive in. Good thing we had those glasses on...we could have lost an eye from the 3D effect, if you know what I mean!!! I remember the Loop Theater. In later years, it turned into an electronics/boombox store, which I thought was pretty sad. I also remember the Cinestage. This was at one time a wonderful theater with the wide, curved screen. I believe that our family saw Battle of the Bulge there (my dad was in the battle of Ardenne Forest, so he loaded up the family as soon as this movie came out and didn't wait for it to finally come to Hammond). I also saw 2001 and Ice Station Zebra at the Cinestage. I believe in later years, this too turned into a porno theater...and I think I saw the Girls of the 4077 (MASH) playing there!
07-30-2010 ( Reply#: 5936 )	HassoBenSoba	I knew I would eventually come across a photo (from my late dad's collection) of MARTY FAYE--he of mid 50's Chicago radio/television fame. Please check out the story which I have quoted below and, as you read it, picture Marty, sitting at the microphone doing a live broadcast just like this in this photo, trying his best to ignore my dad's hi-jinks; it might have even been THIS photo that my dad used! [IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/MFaye0001.jpg[/IMG] quote: Originally posted by HassoBenSoba My dad, Chicago radio guy Mike Rapchak, knew Marty Faye very well and worked with him at WAAF during the mid-50's (somewhere we have photos of them together in the studio). My dad thought Marty was a big pain-in-the-_____, but basically an OK guy. He told me of a time when Marty was on the air LIVE reading a commercial...something to do with picture frames or picture lockets of some sort. Anyway, my dad gets a big 8x10" photo of Marty and sticks it into a toilet seat that he had just bought for our home; Marty is reading the commercial LIVE ON THE AIR, and my dad is on the other side of the sound booth window, gets Marty's attention, then OPENS the toilet seat lid to reveal the portrait of Marty with a big s___-eating grin on his face. Mr. Faye.. how shall we say.... failed to make it through the commerical that day. LR
07-30-2010 ( Reply#: 5938 )	Jim Plummer	Great photo! I can still hear his voice ringing in my head.
09-11-2011 ( Reply#: 6947 )	digger	quote: Originally posted by RicKoe quote: Originally posted by S C Jones from 1898 to 1929 The Hammond Dairy Formerly located at Fayette Street and Oakley Avenue - Clinton Street and the Erie Railroad If the Hammond Dairy were still around today it would be celebrating its centennial. Founded just before the turn of this century, by two brothers Louis and Paul Klitzke. The two enterprising young businessmen started out with just one horse and one wagon. But their small milk business would not remain small for very long. The dairy started off as a one story red brick building with a second story being add to the building to house the dairy's 75 horses. In fact their modest sized Hammond milk depot would at one time be the second largest dairy in the entire state of Indiana in it's heyday, second only to a dairy in Indianapolis. The Hammond Dairy had a peak production capacity of 100,000 pounds of milk per day. The Hammond Dairy was well known in the industry for it's state of the art equipment. The plant on Oakley Avenue was enlarged several times so that new equipment could be installed. The Hammond Dairy Company's refrigeration, pasteurization and sterilization equipment was the best of it's kind in the nation. The Hammond Dairy Company produced milk and milk products including butter, cheese, whipped cream and it's famous "Velvet Brand Ice Cream". The ice cream was made on the second floor then sent down to the freezer on the first floor, where it was put into containers. Machines to manufacture Eskimo Bars were on the first floor in the former office space of the original dairy and were wrapped in foil by hand in the old days. In 1921 the dairy was enlarged with a new structure built on Clinton Street, just east of the Erie RR. This helped make use of a rail spur in which the raw milk shipped from Arkon IN was pumped into a receiving tank to await processing. The Company was always quick to keep pace with the city's rapid growth and to keep up with it's growing demand and customer base.[red] Borden's Dairy purchased the company in 1929. The Borden's company made a major expansion in the late 1950's which included a new milk receiving room, testing laboratory, paper carton storage room, enlarged cooler area, enlarged bottling room, in floor conveyors and a new loading dock. Due to shifting markets the plant was phased out and later closed. One of the last remaining plant structures was razed during 1972. Ending a part of the city's industrial history. I just dug up a Glass milk bottle marked Hammond Dairy Co. It was about two feet under thetop soil of my front yard on the 7300 block of Monroe Avenue. Our house was built in 1930. My shover the bottle and left a minor fracture in the glass. Otherwise it is in great shape.
09-11-2011 ( Reply#: 6949 )	Tom J	Margaret: I'm so glad you found Sheptalk! Please be a frequent poster. I read your post about how much you loved Downtown in the other forum. I loved Downtown, too. My dad worked at Minas's for many years. Tom
09-11-2011 ( Reply#: 6950 )	digger	quote: Originally posted by Tom J Margaret: I'm so glad you found Sheptalk! Please be a frequent poster. I read your post about how much you loved Downtown in the other forum. I loved Downtown, too. My dad worked at Minas's for many years. Tom I talked to my dad today about this site etc. He tells me Jean and Randy Shepherd's father worked for Borden Dairy (previously Hammond Dairy) in Hammond.
10-11-2011 ( Reply#: 7107 )	tsofred	quote: Originally posted by tom w Hey Fred: I was born on Hoffman and don't remember them. LOL Tom W Hammond Tech 55-58 Unless one of them was down where Guffy Whitler lived. Hi Tom.. Lees grill was on the north side of Hoffman the 3rd bldg east of pine st,at onetime it was a butcher shop,I think it was Franks Butcher Shop.Claras Lunch was owned by Guffy Whittlers Mom,it next dooor to Guffs house.
10-11-2011 ( Reply#: 7108 )	tsofred	quote: Originally posted by seejay2 tsofred What do you remember about Clara's Lunch? Do you remember Clara herself? Could this woman below be Clara?......Cj [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/SodaPumpblonde.jpg[/IMG] No that is not Clara,the picture is from the Jersy Maid restaurent on Hohman and Gostlin sts.
10-11-2011 ( Reply#: 7109 )	seejay2	This picture is NOT from Jersey Maid. At the time this pic was taken (around '1949) the name of the place was "Soda Pump". I have several pictures of this woman (and another) from various different angles in this room. I was in this very building at 6431 Kennedy Ave, in Hessville, about two years ago and the layout is still the same. It even still has a counter (albeit made of wood) that this woman is standing behind...Cj
10-11-2011 ( Reply#: 7110 )	BobK	WOW! Guffy Whittler, I haven't heard that name since we were classmates at Irving in the mid-50's. Bob
10-11-2011 ( Reply#: 7111 )	HassoBenSoba	Cj-- No kidding. I will check out this building the next time I drive through Hessville and see what condition it's in. A classic photo. LR
10-12-2011 ( Reply#: 7113 )	tom w	Thanks for clearing that up. I'm very familiar with both places too. Tom
10-12-2011 ( Reply#: 7115 )	seejay2	In short, several years ago I was helping a woman try to locate the whereabouts of her blood father and the path crossed here at Soda Pump. This is what the place looked like back in '49 when it was "Soda Pump". It was solely by this pic that I blundered into the place. [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/SodaPump2.jpg[/IMG] Here are a couple more photos inside. The second woman is the woman's (whom I'm helping) mother, Violet Lipke: [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/sodashopfriend3.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/Sodashopfriend.jpg[/IMG] BTW, that image in the back is a wooden phonebooth, not a door. A door has recently been added. This is the place, on the right, a few years ago when I checked it out. The owners very graciously let me take some pix inside after I explained why I was there. [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/PumpEast.jpg[/IMG]. Here is one of the pix I took inside. As you can see, the place is basically the same and the door in back has been added. [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/Soda2.jpg[/IMG]. I'm still trying to find out the name of the blond. I've heard that she was divorced from a very prominent car dealer in E. Chicago and then owned "Soda Pump". A case like this gets very cold after 50+ years. One more thing: you aren't the first one to confuse this place with "Jersey Maid" on Gostlin...Cj
10-12-2011 ( Reply#: 7117 )	BobK	It's probably the Jersey Maid sign that confused. Bob
10-13-2011 ( Reply#: 7122 )	HassoBenSoba	CJ-- These photos are terrific. I remember the '49 shots from another thread, but this is the first time you've posted the new pics, right? As you can see from some of my posts, I love these "Then and Now" pics that really pull you back into time, then provide a reality check with the way things look today. Fascinating way to view the Region. You can see the same low, diagonal brick wall behind the hooligans in the first photo that you see in the present day photo; yep--no doubt it's the same place. My brother Mike was pals with a guy named Ed Lipke in Hessville during the 60's; Ed's dad may have been related to the Violet Lipke in the old pics. Also, Ed's dad worked for RC Cola...so I hope "Little Stevie" Kush doesn't read this post, cuz' he's strictly a Pepsi guy. Thanks for posting this! Larry
10-13-2011 ( Reply#: 7123 )	seejay2	Ed Lipke is my friend's cousin. Her name was Lynn Allen (Lipke). Not Lynnette Allen. That is somebody else. It's a long, long story, but I've been helping Lynn with this thing since Feb of 2007. She lives in Arizona and I was still living in da region then, so I really got into this case big time. I had a few pix that Lynn had sent me and started from there. The only reason I found "Soda Shop" was because traffic had stopped on Kennedy and I was right in front of the building and it all clicked into place. Up to that point, I had been driving all up and down Kennedy Ave trying to find the building with no luck and it was right there the whole time---for over 50 years!! She has sent me pix of Lake George that is part of this case. I had no idea it was Lake George (up to this point I had never even been there) until I followed the RR tracks on Google maps and it all fell into place. What a rush it is to find something like "Soda" and "George" armed with only B&W pix from over 50 years ago!! I have before and after pix of George, too. Ken O'Neal (wvcogs) has been a tremendous help to us as well in all of this. The pix that you saw on the other thread also popped up on Planet Hammond. They were actually grabbed off of Shep. Nobody else had posted these until I did...Cj
10-13-2011 ( Reply#: 7124 )	wvcogs	quote: Ken O'Neal (wvcogs) has been a tremendous help to us as well in all of this. Thanks for the credit. I'm really not sure just how much I was able to do from over 400 miles away except to get you involved after you appeared on Sheptalk in January 2007. Ken
10-13-2011 ( Reply#: 7125 )	seejay2	Aw c'mon Ken!! You came up with names and such that I never would have conjured up. Kralik comes to mind right away. And I'm not for one second sorry that I got involved in that. That was a once in a lifetime chance to do something like that. What a major test of resourcefulness and resolve it turned out to be. It got around at the university as to what I was diong and the lion's share of individuals that asked me about it, asked with envy indicating that they would relish the chance to get involved in such a thing. To think back though, it all got started with the question from one of my family members: "What was the name of that burger joint on Kennedy & 169th?" Nobody, for the $64,000, could recollect the name of that place. I then blundered into Sheptalk several days later to obtain the answer...Cj
10-13-2011 ( Reply#: 7127 )	seejay2	OK. Just for the heck of it, here is a pic of Violet Lipke again standing in fron of a house on California Ave (I think). The house was built in 1927 but the pic is around'48-'49 or so. [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/house_7137.jpg[/IMG] Same house 2007. [IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/DSC01209.jpg[/IMG]...Cj
10-13-2011 ( Reply#: 7128 )	wvcogs	quote: Originally posted by seejay2 Aw c'mon Ken!! You came up with names and such that I never would have conjured up. Kralik comes to mind right away. And I'm not for one second sorry that I got involved in that. That was a once in a lifetime chance to do something like that. What a major test of resourcefulness and resolve it turned out to be. It got around at the university as to what I was diong and the lion's share of individuals that asked me about it, asked with envy indicating that they would relish the chance to get involved in such a thing. To think back though, it all got started with the question from one of my family members: "What was the name of that burger joint on Kennedy & 169th?" Nobody, for the $64,000, could recollect the name of that place. I then blundered into Sheptalk several days later to obtain the answer...Cj Really, I would have enjoyed being there and helping with the search. It all began in December 2006. Lynn contacted me through my email address in the Shep profile because of the information about businesses on Kennedy Avenue that I posted on the forum. It's unfortunate she didn't get the answer to her big question. Checking back, I found that Tom J responded to your question about the burger joint in just over an hour. Ken
10-14-2011 ( Reply#: 7142 )	seejay2	It was very quick and it impressed me. Normally I don't 'join' groups or organizations, but (like everybody else) after reading thru the threads and getting a feel for the respect the members seemed to have for one another, I was compelled to enlist. Also, I probably wouldn't have gotten into the 'search' had I not remembered Lynn from high school. I would have been delighted to have you onboard, Ken. I'm sure you would have been a valuable resource as well. I made many a phone call and conducted a lot of interviews that I would not have thought, prior to this, within my realm. After they warmed up to me, most of the people were willing to share what they knew with me. The wrinkle in it all is though, the one person alive (gotta be close to 90) who knows the whole story, will not talk. Even more frustrating is the fact that I feel she would like to talk, but is being gagged by the everpresent relative whom she resides with...Cj
04-26-2012 ( Reply#: 8392 )	gfelix1909	Great list of TV shows! I am looking for a copy of all 39 episodes of "Tales of the Vikings"...or as many as I can find. Can anyone help me out please? Thanks! Joe Miller('s Joke Book)
04-26-2012 ( Reply#: 8393 )	Bill Bucko	quote: Originally posted by gfelix1909 Great list of TV shows! I am looking for a copy of all 39 episodes of "Tales of the Vikings"...or as many as I can find. Can anyone help me out please? Thanks! Joe Miller('s Joke Book) Their theme music was great: They conquered the seas in their dragon ships, Fought bravely on many a land; For Valkyrie maids strike down for the man Who dies with a sword in his hand! The Vikings, the Vikings, the Vikings ... I bought a single episode on VHS on Ebay, but have never seen any others for sale. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
04-27-2012 ( Reply#: 8394 )	gfelix1909	Thanks! I just bought a copy on ebay myself. They ran from 1959 to 1960 and had 39 episodes. I really hope they are not lost! Joe Miller('s Joke Book)
09-23-2012 ( Reply#: 8699 )	Roger D	I have just read the obit of beloved coach and teacher, Mr. Jack Georgas. He was the baseball coach at Morton. He also worked with the football team and taught U.S. History. He coached winning baseball at morton, having 26 consecutive winning seasons. He will always be remembered as a great coach, teacher and human being.
09-23-2012 ( Reply#: 8700 )	S C Jones	quote: Originally posted by Roger D I have just read the obit of beloved coach and teacher, Mr. Jack Georgas. He was the baseball coach at Morton. He also worked with the football team and taught U.S. History. He coached winning baseball at morton, having 26 consecutive winning seasons. He will always be remembered as a great coach, teacher and human being. Roger, I remember Mr. Georgas. I had him for history class. For some reason I remember his talking about Muddy Waters. He also talked about his Army stint. It seems like I remember him talking about his balding condition as stemming from his having to wear the helmet. He was an amiable, kind man. I enjoyed his teaching style.
09-23-2012 ( Reply#: 8701 )	seejay2	He was always talking about his Army stint. We used to call him "General Jack"...Cj
09-23-2012 ( Reply#: 8702 )	Little Stevie	Not sure how many of our readers still live in the region, but another icon is all gone. The bridge over the old Erie Lackawana RR right of way, in Highland, is a memory. Somewhere on Youtube I saw a video of this bridge when it first opened. I'm going to try and find it. Here is a clip someone has done during the demolition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLG0DL0p4Ew I've been observing this demolition over the past few months, wondering when it would be completed. Well . . the last time Larry & I met at the HOP, I crossed the bridge going to Hammond. The workers were striping the new roadway to the west of the bridge. As I crossed it, the thought occurred to me that this could be the last time I would. Sure enough, on my way home that night, the traffic was diverted through "Frog Hollow" to Highland. Sunday morning, all traffic was using the new road to the west of the bridge. By tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 24th, all segments of this bridge should be gone. Did I think of documenting any of the demolition? My last ride over it? No! Not until now, now that it's too late. That bridge was/has been a part of my life's travels. From riding to Griffith to visit Uncle Fritz in my "Little Stevie" days, going with Mom & Grandma Surowiec to Shopper's World & Topps, coming to visit Mom on Sundays with the family for dinner until her passing in 1992, to visiting old friends & neighbors at the HOP this past year. There was one incident with Uncle George going to Griffith to pick up cousin Bob that I will never forget. (more on that later) LS
09-24-2012 ( Reply#: 8703 )	seejay2	There was a time when I lived in the "Hollow" (before the 'Great Flood'). I can't even imagine all that traffic moving thru that area. Talk about 20 lbs. of it in a 5 lb. bag!!...Cj
09-26-2012 ( Reply#: 8708 )	S C Jones	Since we cited the passing of John Eastwood, it seems only fitting to cite the passing of his wife. Here's the Times obit. SHIRLEY BERNICE EASTWOOD (NEE BAKER) HAMMOND,IN Shirley Bernice Eastwood, age 92, of Hammond, peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. She is survived by four children: Mark (Ilene) Eastwood of Hammond, Martha (James) Sutkowski of Griffith, Rebecca Boydston of San Diego, CA, and David Eastwood of Warsaw, IN; eight grandchildren: Kristine (Paul) McDonald, Alan Sutkowski, James M. Eastwood, Jonathan (Alisha) Eastwood, William D. (Cleta) Eastwood, James D. Eastwood, Elizabeth (Justin) Thomas, and Desiree Stubbee; eight great grandchildren: Lauren, Addison, Elijah, Emma and Ezekiel Eastwood, Macy and Riley Sutkowski, and Jackson McDonald; brother, Burton (Jean) Baker; and devoted caregiver, Stasha Garncarz. Preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dr. John H. Eastwood, D.D. in 2007; parents: Lee and Emma Baker; brother, Robert Baker; and sister, Margaret Swanson. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 24, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. directly at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6709 Arizona Ave., Hammond (Hessville) with Pastor James A. Thomson, officiating. Burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond (Hessville) from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. There will be a time of viewing at the church on Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 10:00 a.m. Shirley was born and grew up on her family farm in Sergeant Bluff, IA. She studied Home Economics at Iowa State College in Ames, IA. After graduation, Shirley taught high school in Minden, NE where she met the new pastor, John Eastwood. Shirley and John married in 1943 and by this time John had enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was headed for Italy as a chaplain. At the end of John's military service, they accepted a call to minister at the First United Presbyterian Church of Monmouth, IL. In 1953, the family moved to Hammond to minister at Covenant Presbyterian Church. For many years, Shirley taught as a full time and substitute teacher. In 1984 at 63 years old, she received her Library Science MS degree and worked as a Librarian. She was active with the Calumet Literacy Council teaching English to immigrants in her home and at the library. During their retirement years, Shirley and John helped organize and served at the Faith Presbyterian Church in La Porte. She will be missed by her family and all who knew her. The family extends special thanks to Hospice of the Calumet Area. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be made to the memorial fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6709 Arizona Avenue, Hammond, IN 46323. For further information, please call Bocken Funeral Home at 219-844-1600 or visit us at www.bockenfunerals.com.
09-26-2012 ( Reply#: 8709 )	wvcogs	This Times' article presents a columnist's thoughts about Coach Jack Georgas. [url="http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/al-hamnik/al-hamnik-gentleman-jack-georgas-a-coaching-rarity-today/article_f09afa00-9a2c-5c01-abaa-cf73c2320989.html"]Jack Georgas[/url] Ken
01-08-2013 ( Reply#: 8833 )	tom w	My sistercalled yesterday and said that it was reported that the final ok has been given for the replacement of the 9-span on Indianapolis blvd. I have some memories of this bridge. If anyone has any memories or stories, please jump right on in. Tom W
01-09-2013 ( Reply#: 8834 )	Bill Bucko	quote: Originally posted by tom w My sistercalled yesterday and said that it was reported that the final ok has been given for the replacement of the 9-span on Indianapolis blvd. I have some memories of this bridge. If anyone has any memories or stories, please jump right on in. Tom W The VIADUCT???? They must be crazy! I walked over it quite a few times in the 1960s, on my way to the South Shore station just north on Indianapolis. Remember looking down at the busy Indiana Harbor Belt freight yard, and the Stauffer Chemical Company with its open-air piles of bright yellow sulfur. Somewhere on this Forum there's mention of Shep talking about some kind of accident at the intersection just north of the Viaduct. I remember finding it odd, because Shep talks about driving there on the way home from school. It's definitely NOT on your way, driving from Hammond High back to Hessville. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
01-09-2013 ( Reply#: 8835 )	seejay2	I could have been me. Back in '68 or '69, A guy I had known for years was attending St. Joe college. He and another fellow (unknown to me) were coming back with pizza and both were killed in an accident in the north end of the bridge...Cj
01-09-2013 ( Reply#: 8836 )	Little Stevie	Here's the latest on the demolition of the NINE SPAN BRIDGE. At one time it was the longest bridge, in the U.S., over dry land. It starts this coming Monday[:(]: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/nine-span-bridge-demolition-begins-monday/article_41f35dc0-5bf0-5528-9e2f-c35833b31893.html LS
01-09-2013 ( Reply#: 8837 )	Bill Bucko	No, CJ, it was definitely an accident from the 1930s, that Shep himself talked about, at the intersection. I believe it's on the "Anyone from Hammond"? thread. Ah, here it is: http://www.sheptalk.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45&whichpage=15 Something about a "Great Banana Oil Spill." Which, knowing Shep was a storyteller and not an historian, may or may not ever really have happened. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
01-29-2013 ( Reply#: 8841 )	HassoBenSoba	The historic, iconic NINE-SPAN BRIDGE was a big part of my Magoun Avenue experience. Every Sunday when we drove to Whiting to visit my grandmother, we would look forward to the roller-coaster ride over it. Same goes for the times we would drive to the E.C. South Shore station to pick up my dad from work. Mike and I would look out the car window, as those vertical beams and the little openings in the railing would whizz by. As each of them zipped by us, we would say "Thing"...so we continued to call out "thing...thing....thing.." etc, until we were headed down the ramp. And so, in the goofy Rapchak family lexicon, the bridge became known as the "SING-SING BRIDGE", a name that we still use to refer to it. When I became aware of the famous East-coast prison of the same name, I figured they had stolen it from us. Too bad the ol' bridge has to come down. LR
01-29-2013 ( Reply#: 8842 )	Tom J	Yep, Lar, it's sad. One more landmark from our childhood days gone forever. Tom
02-10-2013 ( Reply#: 8856 )	Highway66	Here is a picture from the 1960's of Shopper's World in Highland and the picture is looking north on Indianapolis Blvd. and you can see the now demolished bridge over the old Erie Lackawana RR right of way. [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/shoppersworld.jpg/][IMG]http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/94/shoppersworld.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
02-10-2013 ( Reply#: 8857 )	Tom J	So, is there a RR crossing or are those tracks that the bridge crossed over abandoned? Tom
02-10-2013 ( Reply#: 8858 )	Little Stevie	quote: Originally posted by Tom J So, is there a RR crossing or are those tracks that the bridge crossed over abandoned? Tom The RR tracks are long gone Tom. There is a tunnel, underneath the new road, for hikers & bicyclers who use the "Erie Lackawanna Trailway". LS
02-10-2013 ( Reply#: 8859 )	Tom J	Thanks, LS. I guess I should have known that because the Erie-Lackawana tracks at the edge of my old neighborhood are long gone. Tom
03-17-2013 ( Reply#: 8881 )	Little Stevie	Another one bites the dust! Here's the link to a now gone, long time region icon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gTWi5Eleag LS