Chronology 1950-1959

1950  (January)     District 69 serves notice on District 72 that, effective June 30th, it would no longer accept students from District 72 but is later amended to take only 60 pupils. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 11).

August 4     Hughston M. McBain, chairman of the board of Marshall Field and Co., announces that his firm will build a mammoth $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 shopping center in Skokie to be known as Old Orchard. (News (Skokie), August 11, 1950, p. 1 / News (Skokie), January 5, 1951, p. 3 / Skokie Life, August 10, 1950, p. 1 / Skokie Press, August 11, 1950, p. 1.)

June     The second wettest June in history is recorded. (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, op.cit., 1970, p. 32).

July 1     George Savage becomes Superintendent of Education, District 69 succeeding O. O. Young. He serves until 1970. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 11).

September 15     The Skokie Park District purchases a .2-acre site at Crain and Hamlin (Playtime Park). (Archives, Skokie Park District).

November     An election to approve the issuance of bonds to finance another addition to Lincoln School passes. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 12).

Skokie population is 14,752 per 1950 census. (Buisseret, et.al., op. cit., p. 93 / The News, February 3, 1955 / Prairie State: Impressions of Illinois. Paul M. Angle, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1968, p. 491 / Nonwhite population changes in Chicago's suburbs. Illinois Commission on Human Relations, 1962, p. 7).

Trinity Lutheran Church moves from Evanston to 3637 Simpson in Skokie. (Skokie Life, July 5, 1951, p. 1).

Among the community organizations founded are:

  • Junior Woman's Club (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 38e / Skokie Life, November 16, 1950, p. 1 / Skokie Press, October 26, 1950, p. 1)
  • Niles Township Jewish Community Club (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 34)
  • Skokie Valley Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (Skokie Life, November 16, 1950, p. 1)
  • Skokie Valley Shrine Club (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 59)
  • Hirsch Manufacturing Company, Central Park (Skokie Press, May 5, 1950, p.1)
  • International Minerals and Chemical Corporation, Harrison Street (Skokie Press, December 22, 1950, p.1)
  • Portland Cement Association Research Labs, located at 5420 Old Orchard Road (formerly Harrison Street) (News (Skokie), January 5, 1951, p. 3 / Skokie Life, September 30, 1949, p. 1)
  • Silver Skillet Brands, 7450 St. Louis (News (Skokie), February 3, 1950, p.1)
  • Synchro-Start Products, 8151 Ridgeway (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 47)

1951  (January 16)     The Village makes a small appropriation for the Civil Defense Program as was advised by Skokie's new Civil Defense Organization. (News (Skokie), January 19, 1951, pp. 1, 8 / Skokie Press, January 19, 1951, p. 1).

February 12     School Board members open bids for construction of a $468,000 school in Fairview School District 72. (News (Skokie), February 16, 1951, p. 1 ).

March 6     The Skokie Park District purchases a 1.3-acre site at Hull and Terminal Avenues (Tecumseh Park). (Archives, Skokie Park District).

June 13     The first official meeting of the Civil Defense Corps Warden Service of Skokie is held. (Skokie Press, June 22, 1951, p. 1).

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church Photograph, 1987 July 2    St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church is formed. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 146 / Buisseret, et.al., op.cit., p. 94).

September    St. Lambert Catholic church is formed. Rev. Francis J. Trainor is pastor. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 11 / News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 38 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 44 / Skokie Press, March 20, 1952, p. 1 / Whittingham, op.cit., p. 146 / Buisseret, et.al., op.cit.p. 94).

September    Enrollment in School District 73½ approximates 115 students with a teaching staff numbering 5. (The History of East Prairie School, Archives, Skokie Historical Society, 1983.44.14).

October     The Orchard School for Retarded Children (also called the School for Mentally Retarded of Niles Township and School for Retarded Children) was opened with Julia Molloy as director. (News (Skokie), November 2, 1951, p. 5 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 24).

December 20     Edens Expressway, a major highway running north from Chicago through Skokie, is opened. (News (Skokie), December 21, 1951, p. 1 / Skokie Life, December 20, 1951, p. 1 / Skokie Press, December 1951, p. 1).

Skokie voters pass a referendum enabling the Skokie Park District to levy a recreation tax for the purpose of offering recreational programming. The Village of Skokie transfers recreation programming to the Park District. (Archives, Skokie Park District, History of the Skokie Park District, p. 10).

St. Timothy Lutheran Church is formally opened. Rev. William A. Diehl is pastor. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 96).

Among community organizations formed are:

  • Garden Club of Skokie (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 38c / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 74 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 16 / Skokie Life, November 23, 1951, p. 1)
  • Niles Township High School Parent Teacher Assoc., (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 92 / Skokie Life, February 1, 1951, p. 1)
  • Loyal Order of Moose, Skokie Lodge No. 376 (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 104 / Skokie Press, August 31, 1951, p. 1, September 14, 1951, p. 1)
  • Skokie Valley Community Concert Association (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 72 / Skokie Life, October 18, 1951, p. 1 / Skokie Press, October 19, 1951, p. 1)

Some new businesses locating in Skokie are:

  • Croname, Inc., Touhy Avenue (Skokie Press, September 28, 1951, p. 1)
  • General Controls, 8080 McCormick (Skokie Press, January 12, 1951, p. 1)
  • Powers Regulator Company, 3400 Oakton Street (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 57)
  • Teletype Corporation, 5555 Touhy Avenue (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 52)
  • W.M. Welsh Mfg. Co., McCormick and Oakton Street (Skokie Press, February 23, 1951, p. 1)

Niles Township Jewish Congregation Building Photograph, 19851952   Niles Township Jewish Congregation is formed under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Sidney Jacobs. The first Jewish service is held in Niles Township in May 1952, at the Skokie Village Hall. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 62 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 60 / Omnibus, Emerson, op.cit., p. 27 / Skokie Life, April 3, 1952, p. 1).

Skokie begins to receive its drinking water through Evanston's lakefront plant. (Villager, June 26, 1958, p. 15).

Spring     Central Methodist Church breaks ground for its new church building. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 4).

September     District 69 opens for classes. Lincoln School opens with 12 new classrooms, a shop, library, multi-purpose room and cafeteria for this school year. 1,103 children attend Lincoln from K thru 8th. The building is dedicated on November 9th. (Coninx, op.cit., "Information on Lincoln School", p. 3).

October 6     The first Niles Township Community Chest campaign starts. (News (Skokie), October 2, 1952. p. 1).

October 6     Classes begin at the new building for the School for Retarded Children at the Chamber of Commerce on Lincoln Avenue. (News (Skokie), October 2, 1952. p. 13).

October 25     Dial telephone service comes to Skokie, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 53 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 99 / "Skokie and the Telephone", Illinois Bell Telephone, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

Skokie leads the suburbs in apartment construction. (Sunday Life (Skokie), sec. 1-A, January 17, 1971, p. 8).

The first regular services of the Skokie Valley Baptist Church are held. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 34).

Among community organizations formed are:

  • Niles Township Regular Republican Women's Organization (Skokie Life, September 25, 1952, p. 1)
  • Women of the Moose, Skokie Chapter 1329 (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 33 / Skokie Life, March 27, 1952, p. 1)

Some new businesses locating in Skokie are:

  • Allstate Insurance Company, 7447 Skokie Blvd., (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 45, September 9, 1965, p. 13, January 16, 1975, p. 19 / Skokie Life, August 16, 1951, p. 1, January 17, 1952, p. 1)
  • Coats and Clark, Inc., 8220 Skokie Blvd., (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 46)
  • Engraved Products Company, 8020 Lawndale, (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 24)
  • Fel-Pro, Inc., 7450 McCormick (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 23)
  • Radiation Counter Labs, Inc., 5122 Grove Street (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 55)
  • Rand McNally & Co., 8255 Central Park (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 49, January 16, 1975, p. 16b / Skokie Press, May 24, 1946, p. 1)
  • Ravenswood Tile Co., 5325 Touhy (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 100)

1953  (January 9)     The League of Women Voters of Skokie-Lincolnwood (1972-1973 League Booklet) is organized. Mrs. D.R. Beaman is first president. (1973-74 Handbook, Archives, Diana Hunter).

January 27     The Skokie Park District purchases a 5-acre site at Lorel and Cleveland Avenues. (Archives, Skokie Park District).

February 15     The last church service is held in the old log cabin structure which served Central Methodist Church since 1931. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 2).

February 22     The first church service is held in the new Central Methodist Church. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., p. 4).

July 7     The Village Board passes Skokie's first million-dollar appropriations ordinance for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1954. (News (Skokie), July 9, 1953, p. 3).

August 1     An election is held to authorize the purchase and construction of a new school in the northern part of District 69. The referendum passes. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 12).

September     Marjorie Wedell is appointed Principal of Lincoln School. (Coninx,op.cit., p. 12).

September 20     Martin "Scotty" Krier's Skokie Indians semi-pro baseball team wins the Midwest Semipro Baseball league championship by beating the Berwyn Olympic Savings team 9-4. The game was played at Oakton Park. (Skokie Life, September 24, 1953, p. 1).

St. Lambert Catholic School is established. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 38).

Among community organizations formed are:

  • League of Women Voters of Skokie (later Skokie-Lincolnwood) (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 92 / News (Skokie), July 11, 1963, p. 4)
  • National Council of Jewish Women, Evanston-Niles Township Section (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 29 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 13)

Some new businesses locating in Skokie are:

  • A.I.T. Industries, 8221 Kimball (News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 38)
  • Mancuso Chevrolet, 8130 Lincoln Avenue (Skokie Review, April 10, 1969, p. 52)
  • Ohmite Manufacturing Co., 3601 Howard (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 48)
  • Quick Set, Inc., 8121 Central Park (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 57 / Skokie Life, January 2, 1953, p. 1)

1954  (February 20)     Residents of District 72 approve bond issues to build a new Fairview School and an addition to the existing one. (News (Skokie), February 25, 1954, p. 3).

March 5     District 69 voters approve a bond referendum to construct a new school in the western part of the district. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 13).

April 16    James Stewart & June Allyson star in "The Glenn Miller Story" at the Skokie Theater. (The Life, April 15, 1954, p. 5).

May 17     The United States Supreme Court decides "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" which holds that "separate but equal" educational facilities are inherently unequal. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

June     St. Joan of Arc Church is dedicated. (Life (Skokie)*, sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 11 / News (Skokie), December 30, 1954, p. 27 / Skokie Life, July 5, 1951, p. 1).

August     Niles Township High School District 219 approves a $300,000 bond referendum for the purchase of 56 acres of land on Oakton and Major for a second high school. (News (Skokie), August 5, 1954, p. 3 / News (Skokie), January 24, 1963, p. 34).

September     Evanshire Presbyterian Church moves to Skokie. (News (Skokie), December 30, 1954, p. 27).

September     Jane Stenson School opens with six rooms, a multi-purpose room, an office area and two hundred students. (Jane Stenson School History.)

October 19     Fifty-six acres of land south of Lunt and west of Carpenter Rd. are disannexed by the Village of Skokie. The land is expected to be annexed by the City of Chicago for the purpose of the construction of a hospital to be operated by the Sisters of Mercy and owned by Loyola University. (Olcott's Land Values & Zoning, 1965 p. 21/ Skokie Life, October 21, 1954, p. 1/ News (Skokie), October 21, 1954, p. 1 / News (Skokie), June 28, 1956, p. 4 / The Geographical Growth of Skokie, Illinois. Joseph C. Beaver, Skokie, 1983.)30

December 20    402 parking meters are installed in downtown Skokie to discourage "all-day" parking. (The News, January 13, 1955, p. 26).

Ray Kroc opens his first McDonalds restaurant in Des Plaines. (Whitney, op.cit., p. 15).

Among community organizations formed are:

  • Congregation Bnai Emunah Sisterhood (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 18, 38)
  • Skokie Business and Professional Women's Club (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 26)
  • Skokie Valley Kiwanis Club (News (Skokie), December 30, 1954, p. 27, July 3, 1963. p. 13)
  • Toastmaster's Club of Skokie (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 112)

Skokie is the leading home builder in value of new construction in all the Chicago area. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 7 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3).

Temple Judea of Niles Township, Reformed Synagogue, is formed with Rabbi Karl Weiner as its spiritual leader. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 116 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 57 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 45).

There is a large flood on the North Branch of the Chicago River. (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, op.cit., p. 3).

There are 296 retail outlets in Skokie and a special census reveals 23,704 population. (The News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 109).

Congregation Bnai Emunah Building Photograph, 1987Congregation Bnai Emunah, Conservative Synagogue, is founded with Rabbi Melvin Goldstine as its spiritual leader. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 116 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 3).

Hodag Chemical Corporation opens its headquarters at 7247 Central Park. (News (Skokie), sec. 2, September 9, 1965, p. 4).

1955  (January)     Marjorie Wedell is appointed principal of the new Kenton School. Ms. Ola Kemp is appointed principal of Lower Lincoln (K-5) and Ralph Johnson is appointed principal of Upper Lincoln (6-8). (Coninx, op.cit., p. 13).

January 12     Marshall Field & Co. announces that its proposed Old Orchard store will have 285,000 square feet of retail shopping space. Other retailers which have announced plans to locate in Old Orchard are 1) The Fair with 106,000 square feet 2) S.S. Kresge with 35,000 square feet 3) C.D. Peacock Jewelry Co. with 5,000 square feet. (Women's Wear Daily, Wednesday, January 12, 1955 - Archives, Skokie Chamber of Commerce).

February 10     An ad in The News reveals the following merchants:

  • Urbanus Service Station at 7953 Lincoln Avenue
  • Jim Devines Service Station at 3550 Dempster Street
  • Betty's Beauty Salon at 4907 Oakton Street
  • Skokie Engineers for Television at 4447 Oakton Street
  • Skokie Camera Shop at 8002 Lincoln Avenue
  • Mars Studio of Dance and Theatre Acts at 5112 Oakton Street
  • Midwest Academy of Music at 8810 Bronx Avenue
  • Skokie Valley Children's Theater and Dramatic School at 5112 Oakton Street

(The News, February 10, 1955).

March 17     An ad in The News reveals the following merchants are located at the following locations in downtown Skokie:

  • Allison's House of Music at 4935 Oakton Street
  • Al's Auto Parts at 8118 Lincoln
  • Dennis Clothes for Men at 7935 Lincoln
  • Forest Furniture at 5007 Oakton
  • Furs by Charles at 7941 Lincoln
  • Happ's Shoes at 5003 Oakton Street
  • Hob Craft at 7951 Niles Avenue
  • Jay's Shoes at 5021 Oakton Street
  • Arnold Leonard, Inc. at 5023 Oakton
  • Margies, Inc. at 5001 Oakton
  • Playroom Juvenile Stores at 5107 Oakton
  • Raymond's Work-N-Sport at 7914 Lincoln
  • Robert's Dept. Store, Inc. at 8016 Lincoln
  • Skokie Hobby House at 8122 Lincoln
  • Skokie Paint & Wallpaper at 5118 Oakton
  • Ben Franklin Store at 5011 Oakton
  • Paroubek's Community Bakery at 8044 Lincoln Avenue
  • Consumer's Millinery at 7946 Lincoln Avenue
  • Dieden's Smart Shop at 5041 Oakton Street
  • Eberhardt's Gift Nook at 8023 Lincoln
  • Goldberg's Delicatessen at 7933 Lincoln
  • Jack 'N Jill Shoes at 7931 Lincoln
  • Larry's Men's & Boy's Shop at 5039 Oakton
  • Longtin's Sports Huddle & S'quire Shop at 4901 Oakton
  • Martin E. Pendergast, Stationer at 4931 Oakton
  • Mode O'Day Frock Shop at 5017 ½ Oakton
  • National Tea Company at 4949 Oakton
  • Nelson's Bakeries at 4947 Oakton
  • Poultryland USA at 7939 Lincoln
  • Robinson's Bakery at 8015 Lincoln
  • Roxanne Petites Modes at 5111 Brown
  • Selz Bootery at 7948 Lincoln
  • Ace Hardware at 5035 Oakton
  • Skokie Bootery at 8038 Lincoln
  • Skokie Department Store at 8045 Lincoln
  • Skokie Jewelers at 5105 Oakton
  • Skokette Shop at 8017 Lincoln
  • Skokie Variety Store at 8008 Lincoln
  • Thiemann Paint & Wallpaper at 4925 Oakton
  • Tomsik Hardware at 8034 Lincoln
  • Weil's Womens Apparel at 5047 Oakton
  • Western Tire Auto Store at 5018 Oakton
  • Wolke & Schack Dept. Store at 4937 Oakton

(News (Skokie), March 17, 1955, p. 17).

March 30     Ground is broken for the Marshall Field & Company store at Old Orchard. (News (Skokie), April 7, 1955).31

April 18     Albert Einstein dies in his sleep in Princeton, N.J. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

May 20    The Evanshire United Presbyterian Church is established as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church. (News (Skokie), May 15, 1975, p. 12).

June 30   Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the new Orchard School for Retarded Children on the triangular block of land bounded by Conrad, Lockwood and Gross Point Road. It will be dedicated in the fall. (Life of Niles Township, April 19, 1956, p. 1 / News (Skokie), June 30, 1955, p. 4).

July 19     The Skokie Village Board votes to collect a ½-cent sales tax commencing September 1. (Life of Niles Township, July 21, 1955, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 21, 1955, p. 3).

August     George Blameuser, Armond King and Asher Goldfine announce plans to change the character of Oakton Street from the Northwestern tracks to Niles Avenue from residential to commercial. (News (Skokie), August 11, 1955, p. 3)

August 18     The Jacob Heinz home at 8140 Lincoln Avenue is razed. It was built by Heinz in 1871. (News (Skokie), July 21, 1955, p. 1).32

September     Approximately 19,000 children, a record number, attend Niles Township Schools. (News (Skokie), August 25, 1955, p. 3).

September 1     Skokie begins collecting a ½-cent sales tax which is expected to generate approximately $140,000.00 in revenue to the Village. (The News, July 21, 1955, p. 1).

September 22     A News editorial calls for the establishment of an Institute of Human Relations to combat the growing problem of ethnic prejudice in the community. (News (Skokie), September 22, 1955, pp. 1, 15).

September 27     District 69 dedicates Kenton School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 13).

October 10     The Skokie Indian Drum and Bugle Corps (sponsored by American Legion Post 320) wins its first national championship in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. (News (Skokie), October 13, 1955, p. 3 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 100).

October 31    Orchard School for Retarded Children's new campus at Lockwood and Gross Point Rd. is dedicated by Skokie builder Ben Sears and Gov. William Stratton. The school was previously located in a small redwood building at 8221 Lincoln Avenue on property owned by the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. (Skokie Review, November 3, 1955 (picture) / The News, October 20, 1955).

November     A referendum is passed to spend $1,755,000 to purchase and develop Skokie park sites. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 71-72 / Skokie News, December 29, 1955, pp. 3-4). The following park sites are purchased and developed:

  • Chippewa - .3 acres
  • Devonshire - 13 acres
  • Frontage n/k/a Peccia Park - 2.5 acres
  • Gross Point - 5 acres
  • Laramie - 11.6 acres
  • Lockwood - 5 acres
  • McNally - 5.3 acres
  • Menominee - .5 acres
  • Mulford - 1.2 acres
  • Navajo - 6 acres
  • Pawnee - .3 acres
  • Seneca - 1.2 acres
  • Sequoya - 1.7 acres
  • Shabonee - 1.2 acres
  • Shawnee - .8 acres
  • Timber Ridge - 4 acres
  • Winnebago - .8 acres

(History of the Skokie Park District, p. 10, Archives, Skokie Park District).

December 11     Middleton School is dedicated. (News (Skokie), December 8, 1955, p. 3).

There are 181 industries or industrial services in Niles Township. (News (Skokie), February 3, 1955, p. 109).

The Skokie Valley Chapter of the YMCA is chartered. (Life of Niles Township, April 7, 1955, p. 1).

The O. C. Keckley Company moves to Skokie. (Skokie Review, April 11, 1974, p. 5).

1956  (January 17)     11-acre tract located at the NE corner of Touhy and Carpenter Road (Niles Center Road) is rezoned from residential to commercial for the purpose of constructing a 40-lane bowling alley, dance hall, swimming pool and ice skating rink. (Chicago Sun-Times, February 27, 1956, pp. 1, 4).

January     In response to zoning changes believed to undermine property values, Bernard Harrison, G. Raymond Jackson, Frank Hall, Ken Littrell and Jean Doney form a new political party called the Caucus Party. (Life (Skokie), January 17, 1957, p. 1 / Life (Skokie), January 24, 1957, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 69).

January 26     Western Union opens a Skokie office. (News (Skokie), January 26, 1956, p. 11).

February     Mr. Doyle McLaughlin is appointed the principal of the new Edison School. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 13).

February 16     Human Relations Council, sponsored by the Niles Township Minister's Association is formed. (News (Skokie), January 7, 1960, p. 50) / Skokie News, February 16, 1956, p. 3).

February 21     Skokie Village Board of Trustees renames Harms Avenue after Trustee Miles Babb. (News (Skokie), February 23, 1956).

March     Joseph J. Hansen announces that the State of Illinois has issued a permit to organize a new bank to be known as "Skokie Trust & Savings Bank" to be located in a two-story building at the NW corner of Oakton and Kostner. Hansen announced that the bank would be capitalized in the amount of $525,000.00. (News (Skokie), March 15, 1956, p. 15.) Among the organizers are:

  • David R. Jones
  • Marshall S. Stevens
  • Sherman E. Pate
  • Donald H. Graham
  • Howard L. Carnahan
  • James Kinsey
  • W.L. Erwin
  • J. Siewert, Jr.
  • Robert Ziegler
  • Edward E. McCabe
  • Joseph J. Hansen
  • Marguerite Hansen
  • John Bauer
  • Dr. Sam Li Vaccari
  • John Sebby
  • J. Lawrence Rose
  • George Safranski
  • Alfred Schmidt
  • George Safranski
  • Alfred Schmidt
  • George Koretos
  • Richard Frankel
  • Sam J. Barranco

(Skokie Review, March 22, 1956 / Life of Niles Township, July 19, 1956, p. 1 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 50 / Niles Township Press, January 21, 1957, p. 1).

April     Membership at Central Methodist Church reaches 1,174. Rev. John Hager is Pastor. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 5).33

April     Jewel opens a new store at 4335 Oakton Street. (News (Skokie), March 29, 1956, p. 32).

April 5     Federal Home Loan Bank Board conducts a hearing in Washington, D.C. regarding the application for the issuance of a permit to organize a federally insured savings and loan association. Among the organizers are:

  • Horace Russell
  • Allan A. Weissburg
  • R.C. Wieboldt, Jr.
  • Robert W. Kendler
  • Joseph R. Urbanus
  • George D. Wilson
  • Roland R. Moore
  • Frank A. Maierhofer
  • Dennis E. Rivelli
  • Sidney H. Godell
  • Herman J. Giannini
  • John R. O'Connell

(Skokie Review, March 22, 1956).

April 17     The citizens of the Village of Skokie, at an election held for the purpose, reject, by a vote of 5,192 to 1,348, application of the "City Election Act" to future elections. (Copy of Court Order entered April 18, 1956, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

May     Central Methodist Church breaks ground for its Church School. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 5).

May 15 Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for Niles Township's second high school. (News (Skokie), May 17, 1956, p. 3).

June 14     The Nilehi Faculty Club is disbanded by its members and replaced by Local 1274, Niles Township Federation of Teachers, AFL. (Life of Niles Township, June 1, 1956, p. 1 / News (Skokie), January 7, 1960, p. 50 / News (Skokie), June 14, 1956, p. 3).

June 30     The 8th Annual Ox Roast Festival is sponsored by American Legion Post #320, Ladies Auxiliary and Drum and Bugle Corps. Runs through July 4. (News (Skokie), June 28, 1956, p. 25).

July     Rev. Ray Bond assumes Pastorate at Central Methodist Church. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 5).

June 28     McDonald's advertises the "gala opening" of its newest most modern drive-in at Dempster & Niles Center Rd. Telephone Or 4 - 1370 for pick-up orders. (News (Skokie), June 28, 1956, p. 32).

July 8     Loyola Academy breaks ground for its new campus at Lake Street and Edens Expressway in Wilmette. (News (Skokie), June 28, 1956, p. 29).

August 31     Bertha Rosche Head Librarian of the Skokie Public Library since 1937, retires. Mary Radmacher is hired to become Head Librarian. (Life Newspaper, July 1956, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 17 / Petty, 1960, unpublished).

September     The Skokie Indians Drum and Bugle Corps wins its second national championship. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 100 / News (Skokie), September 6, 1956, p. 3).

September 1     Karl Schmidt is hired as Executive Director of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce succeeding Gene Denning. (The Life, August 2, 1956).

September 25     District 69 dedicates the new Thomas A. Edison School, 8200 Gross Point Road. (Life of Niles Township, September 20, 1956, p. 1).

October     Old Orchard Shopping Center opens. (Life of Niles Township, October 25, 1956, p. 1 / News (Skokie), suppl. October 24, 1957, p. 4).

Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the Hebrew Theological College, 7135 Carpenter. (News (Skokie), January 7, 1960, p. 50).

The Niles Township Real Estate Board, later the North Suburban Real Estate Board, is chartered. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 35).

The Skokie Valley Traditional Synagogue Sisterhood is organized. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 52).

Temple Bnai Emunah's facade is bombed in a Halloween prank. (News (Skokie), January 7, 1960, p. 50).

1957  (January 2)     Skokie Federal Savings and Loan opens just south of the intersection of Lincoln and Oakton on the west side of the street. (Life of Niles Township, July 6, 1956, p. 1 / News (Skokie), August 24, 1967, p. 14 / News (Skokie), October 4, 1973, p. 2 / News (Skokie), January 16, 1975, p. 41 / Niles Township Press, January 21, 1957, p. 1).

February 24    Central Methodist Church dedicates its new church school. (Ardis Coninx, Central United Methodist Church, op.cit., 5).

April 16     Skokie becomes the thirtieth village in the Chicago area to implement the village manager form of government. The vote is 8,681 votes in favor of the proposition and 6,438 votes against. (Life (Skokie), April 18, 1957, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, pp. 52, 69 / Skokie News, April 18, 1957, pp. 3, 6 / Copy of Village of Skokie Resolution dated April 20, 1957, Archives, Skokie Historical Society).

Mayor Ambrose Reiter Portrait, 1957April 16     Ambrose Reiter is elected the 12th Village President. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 112).

June 1     A new building for the Police Department opens at Main and Lincoln at a cost of $456,000. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 7).

September 15     The Skokie Indians Drum and Bugle Corps wins an unprecedented third national championship at Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Life (Skokie), September 19, 1957, p. 1 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 100 / Niles Township Press, September 23, 1957, p. 1 / News (Skokie), September 19, 1957, p. 3)

October 4     Sputnik I is launched by the Soviet Union. It circles the earth every 96 minutes. The space race begins. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

December     The Library institutes bookmobile service. (Archives, Skokie Public Library / Petty, 1960, unpublished).

December 8     St. Luke's United Church of Christ is organized. (News (Skokie), May 26, 1960, p. 30).

December     District 69 sells the former site of the Niles Center Public School, 4950 Madison Street to the Federal Government for redevelopment as a Post Office. (Coninx, op.cit., p. 13).

Among community organizations formed are:

  • Women's American ORT: Grove, Prairie and Skokie Chapters (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 53)
  • Women's Interfaith Alliance of Niles Township (Life (Skokie), March 7, 1957, p. 1)

Tree spraying is started in the Village. (News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 29).

Eleven property owners associations exist in the Village. They are: Northwest, North Central, Northeast, College Hill, Timber Ridge, West Skokie, Crawford-McCormick, East Side, Fairview, Fairview North and Lorel Park. (Niles Township Press, January 28, 1957, p. 1).

The Chicago Seven-Up Bottling Company moves to Howard and Hamlin in Skokie. (Niles Township Press, June 3, 1957, p. 1).

Village President George Wilson dies. Mayor Allan Weissburg Portrait, 1957Allan Weissburg is appointed President to fulfill the balance of Wilson's term. (Whittingham, op.cit., p. 112 - 13).

Old Orchard Bank and Trust opens at the NW corner of the shopping center. (Life (Skokie), January 24, 1957, p. 1).

The Skokie Park District constructs the Devonshire Park Community Center. (Archives, Skokie Park District).

The Evangelical and Reformed Church merges with the Congregational Christian Church. The new denomination becomes the United Church of Christ. St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church becomes St. Peter's United Church of Christ. (Our Heritage Rings for Progress, op.cit.).

1958  (February 11)    Skokie voters pass an $8000.00 bond referendum to construct a new library building at 5215 Oakton Street. (Archives, Skokie Public Library / Skokie Review, July 16, 1958, p. 1).

April     Skokie Chamber of Commerce moves into its new headquarters located at 8322 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie. (Archives, Skokie Chamber of Commerce).

June 23     A fund drive is started to benefit the Skokie Valley Community Hospital to be built at the corner of Gross Point and Golf. (News (Skokie), June 26, 1958, p. 3 / Villager, June 26, 1958, p. 5).

July 1     The YMCA acquires Ilg Park, with its famous replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, at 6200 Touhy, for the Skokie Valley YMCA. (Villager, June 19, 1958, pp. 5-6).

July 28 Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the Oakview Junior High School at Oakton and East Prairie. (News (Skokie), August 7, 1958, p. 1).

September     Niles Township High School West opens. (Life (Skokie), sec. 3, January 17, 1963, p. 43 / News (Skokie), July 3, 1963, p. 10 / Niles Township Press, September 29, 1958, p. 1 / News (Skokie), October 16, 1958, p. 34).

The first Old Orchard Art Fair is held. (Sunday Star, September 10, 1961, p. 1).

Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments Corporation develops the concept of integrating device and circuit elements onto a single platform. The integrated circuit is born laying the groundwork for the creation of the computer chip industry. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

1959  (January 20)     Skokiens oppose the suggestion to change from village to city status. (News (Skokie), January 15, 1959, p. 3 / Niles Township Press, January 19, 1959, p. 1 / Villager, January 22, 1959, p. 5).

April 7     Skokie Civic Party (Skokie Caucus Party) overwhelms the traditional Democratic-Republican backed United Party in Village elections, heralding whole-hearted support for the village manager form of government. (Life (Skokie), April 9, 1959, p. 1 / News (Skokie), April 9, 1959, p. 3).

September 26     A severe storm hits northeast Skokie, damaging among other things, ten 34,000 volt transmission lines. (Life (Skokie), October 1, 1959, p. 1/ News (Skokie), October 1, 1959, p. 3).

September 26     The Chicago White Sox defeat the Cleveland Indians 4-2 to win their first American League pennant since the Black Sox scandal in 1919. (Chicago Tribune, September 27, 1959).34

November 15     Oakview Junior High School is dedicated at 8000 East Prairie. (Life (Skokie), November 12, 1959, p. 1 / News (Skokie), * July 3, 1963, p. 27).

The Luxembourg American Social Club is organized. (Skokie Review, January 4, 1962, p. 3 / Skokie Review, May 7, 1970, p. 56).

The Village supports eight Protestant churches, three Roman Catholic churches and four synagogues. (Chicago's American, January 17, 1959, p. 9).

There are nearly 170 industries employing 10,000 people in the Village. (Chicago's American, January 17, 1959, p. 9).

Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation develops the methodology of integrating device and circuit elements onto a single silicon chip. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Multimedia Edition, 1999).

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