| Village of Alsip History |
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Alsip Through the Years
As Reported in "THE HIGHLIGHTS"
| 1930 1940 1950 1957 1959 1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970
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Alsip Brickyard Brick
A petition for
Alsip's incorporation and a referendum were held on March 5, 1927 and was
passed, and by June of that same year, residents elected their first
President and Village Officials.
The first elected officials were:
Gustave Termunde, President; Leonard Holmberg, Village Clerk; and Trustees
John J. Alsterda Sr., and Robert Termunde. Paul Klenk was appointed
the first Village Attorney and Leo Poulo, Treasurer.
Alsip has had only
seven Mayors:
Gustave Termunde, Leonard Holmberg, John Benck, John J. Alsterda, Raymond
Termunde Arnold A. Andrews and our current Mayor, Patrick E. Kitching.
The first order of business of the
original board was to create ordinance number 1, controlling cemeteries (before
that time land was fast being absorbed for burial grounds) and ordinance
number 2 created the Plan Commission.
The original boundaries of the Village were 115th Street to the Cal Sag
Channel; Cicero Avenue to Crawford (Pulaski). At this time, Crawford Avenue
was only a pathroad.
1930's
Alsip grew slowly over the
years until the 1930's when McIntosh Realtors built the Garden Homes
subdivision (this was unincorporated area).
1940's
Alsip continued its growth
during the 1940's while it remained predominantly a farming community.
Some of the major farms in the area were that of the Benck family, the
VanBeveren family and the Termundes of Alsip.
School District 126 (now including the Alsip, Hazelgreen and Oak Lawn area)
originally consisted of a small school located at 123rd and Cicero which was
later moved to 4600 west 123rd Street where it became known as Lane School.
Originally a two-room school system in Alsip it now includes the Stony Creek
School (the largest in the district), Hazelgreen School and Prairie Junior
High School all located within the boundaries of Alsip.
Originally under the fire protection from the City of Blue Island, in 1945
the present Fire Chief John Bultema and several other men purchased the
first fire truck through donations and by fund raising events held to raise
the monies needed.
1950's
During 1955 the real growth began
in the Village of Alsip. In 1955 the first subdivision in the Village
was built. This subdivision was known as David Estates, which included
Chicago water and sanitary sewers, which brought in conjunction with the New
York Central Railroad and Union Carbide Company.
During the 1950's the Village encouraged the growth of industrial
development and other subdivisions began to grow within the Village.
1957
The Illinois Toll Road was a
big controversy with the Homeowners of Alsip Manor, this was the path of the
Toll Road and many homes were in it's path.
Also in January of 1957 the first issue of THE ALSIP HIGHLIGHTS was
published, becoming the first and only newspaper in Alsip. At that time it
was a monthly newspaper.
As far back as this, the homeowners tried to get the bus moved from 115th
and Central Park to 115th and Crawford - no site for the terminal was the
reason given for not re-locating this terminal.
1959
This year, John Alsterda was Mayor, Raymond L. Termunde was
Village Clerk, and Vincent Ewald was Village Attorney, and this was a time
of turmoil. Mayor Alsterda exercised his veto powers and from then on
news was plentiful.
1960
This year there was a special election to fill a vacant chair on the board.
Clarence Pape and Tony Blter ran against each other for this seat, and
Clarence Pape was the winner.
This year Mayor Alsterda fired the Park Commission for "lack of interest,
nothing being done, and politics on the Park Board".
This is also the year "Diamond Lil" started her infamous column which has
lasted for years giving much enjoyment and controversy over the years.
1960 appropriations were considered a record, with the total being
$257,470.00.
1961
In 1961 after serving as Village Clerk under John Alsterda, and following in
his father's footsteps, Raymond L. Termunde was elected Mayor of the Village
of Alsip. Bob Sterba was elected as the Village Clerk that same year.
The new Village hall located at 4500 W. 123rd Street was opened to the
public.
1963
This was the start of the political debates with the HIGHLIGHTS sponsoring
them. Partakers of this debate were Clarence Pape, William Anderson,
Cliff Knox, William Carnes, Frank Black, Tom O'Connor and Lou Graben.
The winners in the Village election of that year were Clarence Pape, William
Anderson and Cliff Knox.
1964
"Alsip Aqua Club" applications were being taken for this club. It was
to be located at 116th Place between Keeler and Kedvale, sponsored by Stony
Creek Estates, Ralph Jacobsen and Al Fey. Today we know this has not
come to pass.
1965
This was the year for a Park District, and a Park District was formed.
In a light turn-out of voters, the Alsip Park District referendum was passed
by an overwhelming 594 to 63 in November of that year. The new Park
Board Commissioners were Al Hecht, Erwin Saxon, Larry Bauch, Frank Pondel
and William Freck.
Wm. Giese Co., and Silvestri Paving came to town along with Inland Steel
Container.
A new building ordinance was adopted establishing building permit fees in
construction of homes.
Hazelgreen School came into being. District 218 named their School at
115th and Ridgeland Harold L. Richards High School.
A contest was run for the design of a Village Flag and Nancy O'Connor was
selected as the designer of the Alsip Village Flag which was flown on July
4th of that year for the first time.
Worth was accused of land grab by the Park District of Alsip and after a
court battle the land was de-annexed from the Worth Palos Park District.
In April of that year THE HIGHLIGHTS went from a bi-weekly to a weekly
newspaper.
Apartments came to town -- the first request for such zoning came from A.
Nordhoff's for two 50 ft. lots located at 3930 West 117th Street from R-1
single to R-3 multiple dwelling. It was stated at that time, that
there were no more than 3 children out of every 4 complexes on Crawford,
therefore, they would not be a burden but an income for the school district.
1966
This was the year of Condos in Alsip. 444 were to be built at 123rd
Street east of Crawford. We know today that this did not materialize.
Hazelgreen School was dedicated this year with Congressman Derwinski
officiating. District 126 held a referendum on April 9th because of
Zero bonding power and the need for a school in Oak Lawn. This
referendum passed and the school in Oak Lawn became known as Oak View
School.
The Alsip Park Board was suffering growing pains and power struggles.
They decided to fire their attorney Henry Gentile who worked for FREE !
Alsip Highlands, an industrial complex was brought to town on Keeler Avenue.
Alsip's water towers were proposed, a new concept in water reservoirs, the
first of this kind in the Chicago area.
District 218 had plans to build a high school at 120th and Crawford, but
after much trouble from the residents, another site was decided upon.
June of this year the park land battle still raged as Alsip tried
desperately to get their land back. This could only have been done
because of the formation of the Alsip Park District.
Louis Cainkar was the attorney representing Alsip. A petition was
necessary carrying the signatures of 2/3 of the registered voters.
As far back as this, Alsip was still struggling with a Village Master Plan.
This one was proposed by Carl Gardner and Associates. Mrs. Babe
Longuich was appointed Planning Commission Chairman.
On September 25, 1966, an open house was held for the new garage facility
about 40 x 80 feet to be used to house all Village mobile equipment.
1967
The Triangle was annexed - 115th Street on the north, Laramie on the east
and the Illinois Tollway as the third side. This was done to protect
the Alsip Park District in their fight against Worth-Palos.
Restvale Cemetery was annexed to Alsip to uphold Alsip's claim to the
disputed land that he Worth-Palos Park District took away from Alsip.
In January of 1967 Marshall Field III came to Alsip and shoveled the first
dirt for his new multi-million paper plant - F.S.C. Paper. Kastalon, Louis
Hreban and Aria Mfg. all received business licenses.
This was the year of the BIG SNOW with Crawford Avenue and every other
street inpassable.
This year Inland Steel held a contest to name their road, which was named
Inland Road.
Bob Sterba resigned as of July 15th as Village Clerk. He was
transferred to another state by Illinois bell. Fred Millward was
appointed to take Sterba's place.
St. Terrence Catholic Church formed a parish in town, with father Eugene
Riordan being named Pastor. Rev. Theodore Reiner arrived shortly
after, and formed his Church, Lutheran Church of the Apostles.
Apartments were fought just as hard then as now -- a group of residents
appeared at the Village Board meeting to state how unhappy they were with
the re-zoning of land at 119th and Hamlin, stating that the only reason they
bought their homes was to get away from apartments.
In October of this year, the EUB Church broke ground for their new building
at 118th and Hamlin, Rev. Orrell Ruth was the first Pastor of this parish.
Alsip signed a ten-year contract with Crestwood to sell them Lake Michigan
water at the rate of .33 cents per 1,000 gallons. Alsip also annexed
the property at West 115th Street and central. This property which was
surrounded by the Village contained two homes. They also annexed a
triangular strip of land on the east side of Ridgeland Avenue north of the
Illinois Tri-State Tollway.
The Alsip Bank announced its coming to Alsip -- it was to be built on the
property of 119th Street and Crawford (Pulaski) previously owned by the
Tegglaar family.
In February of this year, the Peoples Party split. This party had been
controlling power in Alsip for many years. Mayor Termunde who had won
his election in 1961 under this banner, announced the formation of a new
party, the Greater Alsip Party. The reason for this split was given as
differences of opinion as to who the canidtates would be. This then
produced a total of fifteen candidates in the running and three tickets -
Active Unity Party, Greater Alsip Party and Alsip Peoples party. This
was also the year that mayor Termunde fired Treasurer Robert Gruber, stating
he was not doing his job. Mr. Gruber overcame this and was later
elected as Village Clerk, a position Mr. Gruber held until his retirement in
1993.
This was a traumatic year for Alsip, first the big snow, then the split in
political power and then the tornado. Alsip was spared, but Oak Lawn
suffered a tremendous volume of destruction.
The first professional building to be built in Alsip was located at 120th
and Crawford Avenue. Farrell Bros. Drywall Contractors were the
builders also having an office in this build as did THE HIGHLIGHTS.
This building remained this way until 1976 when Concordia Federal Savings
and Loan Assn. purchased the building and opened their offices here.
June of this year. Marist graduated it first class.
Captain Donald L. Barnes was killed while directing traffic at 115th and
Cicero Avenue. The traffic signal lights were not working at the
intersection and he was in the middle of the street when he was struck by an
automobile that did not see him.
Alsip residents stormed the Village Board meeting to stop the building of
high-rise apartments that were to be built by Presbitero & Sons. They
were to be built at 115th and Keeler Avenue.
The First Baptist Church came to Alsip and held their services in a barn at
125th and Keeler. Rev. Bobby Y. Brown was named pastor.
This year, the crosstown was going to be built, going through Alsip and
connecting with the Tri-State at 127th Street, but Hometown, Oak Lawn and
Alsip and the Scottsdale community on Chicago's south side protested.
Mayor daley informed the towns that he ordered the city engineers to drop
the study of the Tri-State hook-up.
In August of this year Tuthill Pump came to Alsip and located at 125th and
Crawford Avenue. Coe Laboratories announced they were moving to 127th
and Ridgeway in Alsip in December of this year.
In September of this year, the Sertoma Club was formed, the first member of
the club was Albert Payne.
Vanderbilt Flour was not at all superstitious, they broke ground for their
building on Friday the 13th at 123rd and Crawford Avenue.
On November 10th, the court ruled in favor of the Worth Palos Park District
over the much fought over land in Alsip. The Park Board, of course,
will appeal.
Alsip was also notified in November that "Uncle Sam" was considering
erecting a 200 million dollar anti-missle installation in our town.
The site, if chosen, would be approximately 200 acres on Central Avenue
north of the Tollway, which is owned by New York Central Railroad.
Alsip annexed the unincorporated property owned by H. Mulder. the
property, about 240 acres is located from Hamlin Avenue, west, east to
Sacramento Avenue, between 123rd Street and 127th Street. Cemetery
property and several parcels of land in the City of Blue Island were
included.
1968
Alsip residents again stormed the Village Board, this time objecting to a
"garbage dump". This was the result of annexing 200 acres of property at
127th and Kedzie with a pre-annexation agreement which allows the property
owner to conduct a sanitary landfill operation at the clayhole at 121st and
Cicero Avenue.
The bridge over the cal Sag at 127th Street was completed (February).
It took them four years to complete this. In March of this year, the
Board decided to hold committee meetings open to the public, designating
that the 4th Monday of every month would be committee meetings.
Alsip annexed the property adjacent to 115th and Crawford, Lanello's, the
shopping center and the apartment buildings.
Dr. H. W. Winstanley, D.O., set up offices in Alsip at 120th and Crawford
and became Alsip first Doctor.
In May of 1968 a near million dollar
appropriation passed.
Dr. Nelson Hoyt became Alsip's first dentist with offices at 4001 West 120th
Street.
June 15th, Alsip dedicated its first park, Progress Park, located on 122nd
Street just west of Hamlin Avenue.
Gaslight Square came to Alsip.
In view of the celebration of Illinois 150th birthday, Alsip issued a public
notice... grow a beard or buy a permit.
District 126 broke ground for a new Junior High School located at 119th and
Kostner Avenue.
On August 24th Alsip celebrated Sesqui 150 with a Corn Festival which
included a parade with the Shriners Black Horse Troop, free corn and all the
trimmings.
Gloria Walsh was appointed Principal of Hazelgreen School.
In August, Dave O'Malley joined the firm of Sabella Realty Co. and renamed
it Sabella-O'Malley. Ulbright of Illinois chose their site in Alsip at
12340 S. Laramie Avenue.
At the September 9th meeting of the Alsip Village Board, they passed a
$112,350.60 tax levy ordinance.
District 126 was to hold another bond issue for additional classrooms to the
existing school buildings over a five year period 1969-1974.
At the September 16th Board meeting Thomas O'Farrell was appointed for 30
days as a part time police officer.
Annexation proceedings started for property on Crawford south of Lanello's
10 116th Street, property on Ridgeland down to the north side of Route 93,
property east of Ridgeland on 117th, the trailer camp, and all vacant
property on Crawford in the vicinity of Illinois Bell and Gary Steel.
At the October 7th meeting of the Alsip Village Board, residents were
informed that the proposed landfill operation at 119th and Cicero would
consist of solid fill only - no refuse of any kind. residents won !
Alsip launched it first Community Chest Drive December 1st through 15th.
1969
This year begins with the Unity Party slating their candidates. This
was an interesting year as it was the first year of Arnold Andrews, he ran
for Trustee and was successful, along with Robert Gruber as Clerk, and other
Trustees David Bill, and Robert Smolik. Mayor Termunde retained his
seat over opponent Avery Wilkins by 13 votes.
Traffic signals were posted at 123rd and Cicero and street lighting at 127th
and Cicero. Greater Alsip Auto Auction came to town at 120th and
Cicero.
This year, in January, Alsip Auxiliary Police were formed. This was to
replace the part-time police which were ruled illegal, and this was
considered a way to get around this in small municipalities.
This year was no different than today, petitions were filed against the then
G.A.P. Party, which was Termunde's party and counter petitions were filed
due to the similarity of names in previous elections. The court ruled
and the G.A.P. was ruled off the ballot. Termunde,
being the tiger that he is, said from his hospital bed he was running on or
off the ballot. They re-filed and were on the ballot under C.A.P.
Citizens Achievement Party.
A cry for widening Crawford Avenue was heard at this time asking for people
to sign a petition that would be taken to Springfield.
Reliable Fire Equipment Co. at 128th and Cicero broke ground for their new
facility.
Gaslight Square went through quite an ordeal with an on again, off again,
building permit due to violations in the buildings.
A Citizens Advisory Group was formed to study the site needs in District 218
in regards to the controversial 120th and Crawford site, which was already
purchased by District 218. District 218 had their fill of trouble this
year, with a complaint of the Robbins NAACP charging segregation in 218.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Alsip announced its plans for building at
120th Street just one block west of Crawford.
October was decided upon for a referendum for the Fire Department along with
the Library and garbage. It was the Fire Departments decision to go
with the Library and garbage referendums.
It was ruled in court that District 218 could not build on their site at
120th and Crawford.
Witte Chevrolet came to town at 127th and Kedzie in October of this year.
Alsip was informed of the overpass at 115th and Cicero Avenue, but they were
also informed that 119th Street was their problem.
Alsip Manor presented a petition to the Board claiming that they were being
charged an unfair assessment for sewers @ $18.50 per foot, others in the
Village paid $7.50 per foot.
The referendum for the Firemen won, Library and landfill were decided in
December. The Firemen won, but the Library and the landfill were
defeated.
District 218 decided not to seek the site at 120th and Crawford.
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