North Lawndale Community Collection Records

Dates: 1872-1959; Bulk Dates: 1935-1959
Size: 2.5 linear feet in 6 boxes including 118 photographs and 2 oversize folders
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: spe-nhrc-nl
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Transferred from Chicago Public Library, Legler Branch in the 1980s as part of a Dr. Scholl Foundation grant. Photographs 1.104-1.114 were found in the collection and added in 2018.
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred Citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: North Lawndale Community Collection Records [Box #, Folder #, Photograph #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library.
Finding Aid Author: Original author unknown, 1989. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Michelle McCoy, 2021

Abstract

The collection contains a range of articles, brochures, historical sketches, newsletters, photographs, programs and reports that focus on neighborhood events, persons and organizations, particularly during the mid-20th century when Russian Jews were the dominant foreign-born group.

Biographical/Historical

North Lawndale is number 29 of the 77 official communities that make up Chicago. The community lies five miles west of the Loop at the city’s border with Cicero on the west, a couple of blocks south of the Eisenhower Expressway on the north and is bounded by railroad lines on the south and east sides and includes Douglass Park. The area was annexed into Chicago in stages, the eastern sections in 1869 and the other sections in 1889. North Lawndale attracted residents following the Great Fire of 1871. By the mid-20th century, the area teemed with Chicago's Jewish community. The neighborhood has historically included a mix of two-flat apartments and industry. Douglas Park was renamed Douglass Park in 2020.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a range of articles, brochures, historical sketches, newsletters, photographs, programs and reports that focus on neighborhood events, persons and organizations, particularly during the mid-20th century when Russian Jews were the dominant foreign-born group.

The collection includes files on movie theater developer A.J. Balaban, Chicago Jewish Academy, Herzl Junior College, Jewish People's Institute and North Lawndale manufacturer and author, Otto Eisenschiml who was very active in the West Side Historical Society. Some of the religious programs are in German.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into 2 Series: Series 1: Documents, 1872-1959 and Series 2: Photographs and Graphic Materials, 1890-1955

Subject Headings

  • Balaban, A. J. (Abraham Joseph), 1889-1962
  • Douglas Park (Chicago, Il.)
  • Eisenschiml, Otto, 1880-1963
  • Rosenberg, Samuel
  • Chicago Jewish Academy
  • Herzl Junior College (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Jewish People's Institute of Chicago
  • Jews, Russian -- Illinois -- Chicago -- History -- Sources
  • North Lawndale (Chicago, Ill.)

Related Collections

  • Girl Scouts of America #427 Records
  • Lawndale-Crawford Community Collection
  • Lawndale-Crawford Historical Association Records
  • O’Quinn Family Papers
  • Faith Rich Papers
  • South Lawndale Community Collection

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Documents, 1872-1959

Scope and Contents

Series 1 consists printed and manuscript documents created by or about North Lawndale residents or organizations. The topics covered include biographical information, business, clubs or organizations, local histories, religious institutions and schools.

Arrangement

Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by topic and then by name or title.

Box 1 Folder 1 Biographical - Arvey, Jacob M., news clippings [See also: Chicago Daily News, 1938 October 15, 1945 June 8], 1940
Box 1 Folder 2 Biographical - Balaban, A.J. and family, correspondence, 1949
Box 1 Folder 2 Biographical - Balaban, A.J. and family, dust jacket of Continuous Performance (biography of A.J. Balaban), by Carrie Balaban, circa 1942
Box 1 Folder 2 Biographical - Balaban, A.J. and family, news clippings [See also: Chicago Daily News, 1944 March 15], 1929-1949
Box 1 Folder 2 Biographical - Balaban, A.J. and family, pictures, circa 1880s-1940s
    Biographical - Balaban, Barney, [see Chicago Herald-American, 1940 November 10]
Box 1 Folder 3 Biographical - Courtney, Thomas J., voting ticket and campaign brochure, 1939
Box 1 Folder 4 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, articles and pamphlets, 1939, 1942, 1943, undated
Box 1 Folder 5 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, biographical sketch, 1937
Box 1 Folder 5 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, correspondence, 1938-1952
Box 1 Folder 6 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, news clippings, 1937, 1944, undated
Box 1 Folder 6 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, picture of, circa 1930s
Box 1 Folder 6 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, program, flyers and guest list for lectures, 1938
Box 1 Folder 6 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, publicity and reviews, circa 1940s
Box 1 Folder 6 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, transcript of lecture by Preston on Eisenschiml’s book, Why Was Lincoln Murdered?, 1937
    Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto, Eisenschiml, Otto, [See also: Chicago Daily News, 1937 March 19, 1940 October. 9, 1941 February, 1941 February 12, 1941 February 16, 1941 March 19, 1941 September 3, 1942 September 30, 1942 October 14, 1943 May 12, 1943 July 8, 1943 November 13, 1943 December 4, 1944 February 9, 1945 April 25, 1947 May 22; Chicago Herald-American, 1943 December 9. Chicago Sun, 1942 October 31, 1942 November 8, 1944 October 22; Chicago Times, 1938 September 25. Chicago Tribune, 1937 January 17, 1953 April 18; Coronet, 1943 October, 1941 January 23; Garfieldian, 1934 May 3, 1941 January 23; Milwaukee Journal, 1944 February 1.]
    Biographical - Forster, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. [see Chicago Herald & Examiner, 1936 January 26]
Box 1 Folder 7 Biographical - Granata, William John, news clipping, 1941
Box 1 Folder 7 Biographical - Klatzco, Capt. Louis, news clipping [See also: Garfieldian, 1939 March 9, 1939 May 11], 1939
    Biographical - Lind, Morris, David and Phillip, [see Chicago Tribune, 1940 September 29]
    Biographical - Marovitz, Abraham L., [see Garfieldian, 1939 November 3]
Box 1 Folder 7 Biographical - Pope, George V., autobiographical sketch, 1938
Box 1 Folder 7 Biographical - Rosenburg, Samuel, flyers and card, 1939
    Biographical - Walsh, Thomas, [see Clubs and Organizations - Walsh Civic Project]
Box 1 Folder 7 Biographical - Weckman, John W., notes on, undated
    Biographical - Ziperstein, Izzy, [see Chicago Tribune, 1939 July 30]
    Businesses - Balaban and Katz (movie theaters), [see Chicago Daily News, 1939 October 6]
    Businesses - Balaban and Katz (movie theaters), [See also Biographical - Balaban, A.J. and family]
Box 1 Folder 8 Businesses - Liberty National Bank, statement of condition, 1937
Box 1 Folder 8 Businesses - Liberty Trust & Savings Bank, brochure, 1917
Box 1 Folder 8 Businesses - Melody Baby Shop, news clipping, 1948
    Businesses - Scientific Oil Compounding Company, [see Biographical Data: Eisenschiml, Otto]
Box 1 Folder 8 Businesses - West Chicago Driving Club, flyer, 1905
    Clubs and Organizations - Bohemia Club, [see Ceska Beseda]
Box 1 Folder 10 Clubs and Organizations - Boys’ Brotherhood Republic, news clipping, promotional booklet, [See also Chicago Daily News, 1938 November 5, Chicago Tribune, 1940 October 27, Chicago Herald & Examiner, 1937 November 21], 1938, 1944
Box 1 Folder 11 Clubs and Organizations - Ceska Beseda, history and description, membership application, stationery, 1933, undated
Box 1 Folder 11 Clubs and Organizations - Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, News Notes, newsletter, 1959 February 22
Box 1 Folder 12 Clubs and Organizations - Jewish People's Institute, annual report, 1945
Box 1 Folder 13 Clubs and Organizations - Jewish People's Institute, brochures and pamphlets, 1928, 1935-1940
Oversize Folder 1   Clubs and Organizations - Keep Chicago Ahead Committee, poster advertising programs the Committee and the Drama of Chicago on Parade (Douglas-Lawndale district), circa 1924
Box 1 Folder 14 Clubs and Organizations - The Observer, newsletter (annual report edition), 1927
Box 1 Folder 15 Clubs and Organizations - The Observer, newsletter [not inclusive], 1931, 1934-1936
Box 1 Folder 16 Clubs and Organizations - The Observer (newsletter [not inclusive], 1937-1938
Box 1 Folder 16a Clubs and Organizations - news clippings are theatre productions, 1941-1943
    Clubs and Organizations - Walsh Civic Project [see Chicago Tribune, 1937 November 28]
Box 1 Folder 17 Clubs and Organizations - West Side Community Organizations, program for “Youth Week Occupational Conference,” undated
Box 1 Folder 18 Historical Sketches - “Early settlers in the district between Garfield Park and Lawndale,” undated, 1938
Box 1 Folder 18a Historical Sketches - Mayer, Harold M., “North Lawndale: A Crowded City within a City,” 1941
Box 1 Folder 18b Historical Sketches - Rosenthal, Erich, “This Was North Lawndale,” Jewish Social Studies, offprint, [1958?]
Box 1 Folder 19 Parks - Douglass Park, pictures, 1872, undated
Box 1 Folder 20 Parks - Douglass Park Theatre, news clippings, 1944-1945
    Religious Institutions - Blessed Sacrament [see Chicago Herald & Examiner, 1937 April 25; Chicago Daily News, 1943 October 1; Chicago Tribune, 1937 July 4, 1938 May 1]
    Religious Institutions - Congregation Anshe Knessess Israel [see Chicago Daily News, 1942 April 25]
Box 1 Folder 9 Religious Institutions - Evangelical Lutheran Ebenezer Congregation, programs, 1912
Box 1 Folder 9 Religious Institutions - Hope Community, program, 1945
Box 1 Folder 9 Religious Institutions - St. Agatha Catholic Church, news clipping, 1938
Box 1 Folder 9 Religious Institutions - St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran, news clipping [See also: Chicago Tribune, 1938 September 25], 1935
    Religious Institutions - Temple Judea [see Chicago Tribune, 1939 March 14]
Box 2 Folder 1 Schools - Bryant School, Bryant Snoops, newspaper (not inclusive), 1949-1953
Box 2 Folder 1 Schools - Bryant School, class list, 1941
Box 2 Folder 1 Schools - Bryant School, program, 1910
Box 2 Folder 2 Schools - Chalmers School, Chalmers Chronicle, newspaper (not inclusive), 1941-1948
Box 2 Folder 2 Schools - Chalmers School, programs, 1939-1948
Box 2 Folder 3-5 Schools - Chicago Jewish Academy, Academy Memoirs, yearbooks, 1946, 1949, 1955, 1956
Box 2 Folder 6 Schools - Chicago Jewish Academy, brochure, invitation, letter, news clipping, circa 1949-1951, undated
Box 2 Folder 7 Schools - Herzl Junior College, Blue and White, magazine, 1933 January
Box 2 Folder 7 Schools - Herzl Junior College, brochure, 1942
Box 2 Folder 7 Schools - Herzl Junior College, news clippings, 1944, 1947
Box 2 Folder 7 Schools - Herzl Junior College, Spectrum, literary magazine, 1940 Spring
    Schools - Herzl Junior College, [See also: Chicago Tribune, 1938 October 23, 1942 March 22]
Box 3 Folder 1 Schools - Herzl Junior College, Herzlight, newspaper, 1939 January 25, 1947 November 12, 1947 December 19, 1948 February 2, November 26
Box 2 Folder 8 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, programs, 1930, 1932
Box 2 Folder 8a Schools - Herzl Junior High School, The Blue and White, yearbook, 1928 June
    Schools - Lawndale Community Academy, [see Lawson School]
Box 2 Folder 9 Schools - Lawson School, class list, 1943 June
Box 2 Folder 9 Schools - Lawson School, programs, 1936-1943.
Box 2 Folder 9 Schools - Plamondon School, program, 1938
Box 2 Folder 10 Schools - Pope School, class lists, 1938, 1941
Box 2 Folder 10 Schools - Pope School, Pope Post, newspaper (not inclusive), 1939-1941
Box 2 Folder 10 Schools - Pope School, programs, 1938, undated
Box 2 Folder 11 Schools - Shepard School, programs, 1940, 1943
Box 2 Folder 12 Wartime activities - flyer with patriotic poem by Henry R. Wandrey, 1940

Series 2: Photographs, 1890-1955

Scope and Contents

Series 2 contains photographs and glass plate slides on North Lawndale businesses, clubs or organizations, municipal agencies, parks, residences, street scenes and schools. The bulk of the images are class pictures for Bryant School, Lawson School and Herzl Junior High School.

Arrangement

Series 2 is arranged alphabetically by topic and then by name or title.

Box 4 Photograph 1.13 Biographical - Arvey, Jacob M., 1940
Box 4 Photographs 1.14-1.15 Biographical - Eisenschiml, Otto (2), 1938, 1943
Box 4 Photograph 1.16 Biographical - Stern, Jerome, one man band, circa 1940s
Box 4 Photograph 1.16a Biographical - Stone, Jessie L., 1890
Box 4 Photographs 1.1-1.2 Businesses - Liberty Trust & Savings Bank, Kedzie Avenue and Roosevelt Road (2), 1912, 1923
Box 4 Photograph 1.3 Businesses - Scientific Oil Compounding Co., undated
Box 4 Photograph 1.104 Businesses - Sears Roebuck & Co., tower store, Homan Avenue and Arthington Street, 1955
Box 4 Photograph 1.5 Clubs and Organizations - American Legion Post #319, 1949
Box 4 Photograph 1.105 Clubs and Organizations - Jewish People Institute (JPI), 3500 W. Douglas Boulevard, 1955
Box 4 Photograph 1.6 Clubs and Organizations - R & K Restaurant Softball team, circa 1940s
Box 4 Photograph 1.8 Municipal Agencies - Chicago Police Department, Fillmore Station (Homan Avenue), people claiming stolen goods, 1948
Box 4 Photograph 1.9 Municipal Agencies - Chicago Police Department, Fillmore Station (Homan Avenue), new squad car, 1948
Box 4 Photograph 1.7 Municipal Agencies - Fillmore Court, interior, 1949
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.1 Parks - Douglass Park, playground, glass plate slide, 1903
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.2 Parks - Douglass Park, lagoon, composite of three views, glass plate slide, 1903
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.3 Parks - Douglass Park, rowing on lagoon, field house in background, glass plate slide, 1903
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.4 Parks - Douglass Park, rowing on lagoon, woods in background, glass plate slide, 1903
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.5 Parks - Douglas Park, track meet, one-mile race, glass plate slide, 1904 May 28
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.6 Parks - Douglas Park, track meet, Mr. Hendon pole-vaults, glass plate slide, 1903
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.7 Parks - Douglas Park, track meet, pole vaults, glass plate slide, 1903
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.8 Parks - Douglas Park, track meet, athlete warm up, glass plate slide, 1903
Box 4 Photographs 1.10-1.12 Parks - Douglas Park track meet (3), 1904
Box 4 Photograph 1.4 Religious Institution - St. Agatha Catholic Church, 1913 (?)
Box 5 Photograph 1.106a-b Residences - 3522 W. 12th Place, 1945, 1955
Box 5 Photograph 1.107a-b Residences - 1242 S. Central Park Avenue, front and rear views, 1955
Box 4 Photograph 1.17 Residences - 3712-3722 W. Cermak Road, 1939
Box 5 Photograph 1.108 Residences - 3540 W. Douglas Boulevard, 1955
Box 4 Photograph 1.18 Residences - 3569 N. Douglas Boulevard, circa 1940s
Box 4 Photograph 1.18a Residences - 1344 S. Komensky Avenue, 1915 November 7
Box 5 Photograph 1.109 Residences - 1656 S. Komensky Avenue, 1955
Box 5 Photograph 1.110 Schools - Bryant School exterior, Kedvale Avenue and 14th Street, 1955
Oversize Folder 2 Photograph 3.1 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1932 June
Box 4 Photographs 1.19-1.20 Schools - Bryant School, class pictures A and B (2), 1934 June
Box 4 Photograph 1.21 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1936 June
Box 4 Photographs 1.22-1.23 Schools - Bryant School, class picture (2), 1937 June
Box 4 Photographs 1.24-1.26 Schools - Bryant School, class pictures (3), 1938 June
Box 4 Photograph 1.27 Schools - Bryant School, Room 314, class picture, 1939 February
Box 4 Photograph 1.28 Schools - Bryant School, Room 316, class picture, 1939 February
Box 4 Photographs 1.29-1.31 Schools - Bryant School, I, IV and V class pictures (3), 1940 January
Box 4 Photographs 1.32-1.33 Schools - Bryant School, I and III class pictures (2), 1940 June
Box 4 Photographs 1.34-1.35 Schools - Bryant School, I and II class pictures (2), 1941 January
Box 4 Photographs 1.36-1.38 Schools - Bryant School, I, III and V class pictures (3), 1941 June
Box 4 Photographs 1.39-1.41 Schools - Bryant School, I, II and III class pictures (3), 1942 June
Box 4 Photographs 1.42-1.43 Schools - Bryant School, II and IV class pictures (2), 1943 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.44 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1944 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.45 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1945 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.46 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1945 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.47 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1947 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.48 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1947 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.49 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1949 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.50 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1949 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.51 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1950 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.52 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1950 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.53 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1951 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.54 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1952 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.55 Schools - Bryant School, class picture, 1953 January
Box 5 Photograph 1.56 Schools - Chalmers School, Room 17, circa 1895
Box 5 Photograph 1.57 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 13, class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.58 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 104 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.59 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 201 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.60 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 208 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.61 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 210 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.62 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 212 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.63 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 215 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.64 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 221 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photograph 1.65 Schools - Herzl Junior High School, Room 302 class picture, 1929
Box 5 Photographs 1.66-1.70 Schools - Herzl Junior High School (5), 1932
Box 5 Photographs 1.111a-b Schools - Lawson School exterior, Homan Avenue and 13th Street, 1942, 1955
Box 6 Photograph 1.71 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1923 February
Box 6 Photograph 1.72 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1924
Box 6 Photograph 1.73 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1924 June
Box 6 Photographs 1.74-1.75 Schools - Lawson School, class pictures (2), 1925 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.76 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1926 June
Box 6 Photographs 1.77-1.79 Schools - Lawson School, class pictures (3), 1927 June
Box 6 Photographs 1.80-1.82 Schools - Lawson School, class pictures (3), 1928 February
Box 6 Photographs 1.83-1.85 Schools - Lawson School, class pictures (3), 1928 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.86 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1936 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.87 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1939 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.88 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1940 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.89 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1940 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.90 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1941 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.91 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1941 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.92 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1942 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.93 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1942 June
Box 6 Photograph 1.94 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1943 January
Box 6 Photograph 1.95 Schools - Lawson School, class picture, 1943 June
Box 5 Photograph 1.96 Schools - Plamandon School, students, undated
Box 5 Photograph 1.97 Schools - Pope School, class picture, 1938 February
Box 5 Photograph 1.98 Schools - Pope School, class picture, 1938 June
Box 5 Photograph 1.99 Schools - Pope School, class picture, 1941 June
Box 5 Photograph 1.100 Schools - Pope School, class picture, 1943 June
Box 5 Photograph 1.112 Street Scenes - 3500 block of W. 12th Place, 1955
Box 5 Photograph 1.101 Street Scenes - Albany Avenue, 1800 block, 1937
Box 5 Photograph 1.102 Street Scenes - Douglas Boulevard, 1901
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.9 Street Scenes - Douglas Boulevard and Homan Avenue, glass plate slide, circa 1930
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.12 Street Scenes - Francisco Avenue, glass plate slide, circa 1930
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.10 Street Scenes - Homan Avenue at 13th Street, glass plate slide, circa 1930
Box 5 Photograph 1.113 Street Scenes - Homan Avenue at 13th Street, 1955
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.13 Street Scenes - Homan Avenue, glass plate slide, circa 1930
Box 5 Photograph 1.114 Street Scenes - Roosevelt Road and Central Park Avenue, 1955
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.11 Street Scenes - Sawyer Avenue, glass plate slide, circa 1930
Glass Plate Slide Box 3 Photograph 2.14 Street Scenes - Spaulding Avenue, glass plate slide, circa 1930s
Box 5 Photograph 1.103 Transportation - Chicago Union Traction Street Car Co., 1896
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