Chicago Heritage Day – Oct. 5, 2007

Friday, October 5th, we ventured into Chicago for a trip down memory lane. Our first stop was the “new” Marquette Manor Church property to take a picture. I knew that Pastor Canedy and staff had already left for a men’s retreat at Camp Joy, so we didn’t stop for long. It is hard to believe that the present location of Marquette has become a neighborhood that now looks like the suburban areas of Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn from our days of the 50’s and 60’s.

We traveled into the city via 79th street, and then up Pulaski to our old neighborhood. Our first stop was at Hurley Elementary School on 69th Place. Initially I was thinking only about taking a picture, but then I decided that we should go inside. Wow! were we impressed with the condition and orderliness of my old grammar school.

Immediately upon entering the building, we were greeted by a smiling diminutive lady in jeans and a white “Hurley” T-shirt. She merrily greeted us and told us that she observed us taking a picture outside. When I identified myself as a Hurley alumnus, we were directed to the school office and soon were introduced to the principal – a dignified and professional Hispanic woman. I asked if I could tour the building and was told that “Miss Amy” could take us around the building, but that I could not take pictures of any students.

Miss Amy turned out to be the T-shirt lady, and only later did I realize that she wore an official badge on her waist and that she was an official security officer in the building. I don’t know if she is a Chicago Police officer, but cheerful and exuberant ‘Miss Amy” is on top of things at Hurley. Today they have over 900 students in the school, over double from my day. They have an auxiliary classroom building, plus three modulars. The whole campus is spotless, students wear uniforms and orderliness is evident everywhere. The students we saw were all Hispanic and black. Very impressive! Hurley’s web site is at http://www.hurley.cps.k12.il.us/index.html.

From there we went to see our two Carlson family houses where we lived in the neighborhood. 3735 W. 68th Pl. looked great and 3411 W. 71st Pl. looked tough. In fact, the entire 68th Pl. neighborhood looked pretty good, and the relatively “newer” 71st Pl. area was starting to look seedy. We also stopped in at the park board facility in Marquette Park at 67th and Kedize. We went there to use the restrooms, but found it to be another nostalgic visit to the dim past. I don’t remember hanging out much at that building, but it did bring back memories of a different day.

Then we stopped by the “old’ Marquette Manor property on 61st and California. The place looked very inner-city. The church now occupying the facility is an African-American congregation that bought the building a year ago. I talked with a black lady at the door for a few minutes, and she seemed to be a sharp person who had a real spiritual commitment to ministry. Later we drove 63rd Street from Damen to Cicero. You would think that you are driving through Mexico City, not the south-side of Chicago!

But then we had the highlight of my trip – we visited Lindblom, my high school alma mater. That was an experience! Once again we found a police officer inside the front door, but he was friendly, helpful and directed us to the office.

We immediately met Alan Mather the principal and he took us on an extensive hour long tour of the building. The Chicago Board of Education spent 42 Million Dollars several years ago to completely renovate the grand Lindblom building. It is amazing!

In the 90’s and early years of the new century, Lindblom struggled with many negative issues. The school was moved temporarily until the building renovations were complete, but when it was reopened in 2005 the academic program was completely changed and the school started over with only 100 ninth graders.

This year they have about 400 students in grades 9 through 11. The school was renamed Lindblom Science and Math Academy (http://www.lmsa.cps.k12.il.us/ ) and students gain admittance through an application process that includes rigorous testing requirements. Once again, the student body is primarily Hispanic and African American. Everything has been renovated, including beautiful hardwood floors, new hall lockers, and high-tech classroom equipment. The 1,700 seat, two balcony auditorium is much more impressive than it was 50 years ago – when it was truly impressive. Even the swimming pool has been preserved and updated!

Mr. Mather led me to a room where all of the yearbooks are stored. I was able to pull mine off the shelf and show him the pictures of yours truly. What an experience!