He Fired When Ready-- Part 9: Charles Gridley's Legacy

Jackalope did a good job of summing up the life of this true American.

So, what's the appeal of Gridley.  he was well-liked by all, but not particularly regarded for his gallantry, military acumen, or initiative.  He provided years of service to his country, but achieved little  distinction. His only real claim to fame  was that eh was standing next to the man of the hour when that man's moment finally came.

Even the Battle of Manila Bay  was largely a meaningless victory -- the Spanish fleet never really had a chance, and the U.S. lacked the strength to take  and hold the Philippines afterwards.  In fact, they spent the next three months trying to prevent the Germans from taking them.

Yet, Dewey's famous order has secured Gridley's place in the history books for eternity.  In addition to the park in Erie, Pennsylvania, he's also lent his name to four ships in the U.S. Navy, a type of destroyer, and a National Guard training camp in Pennsylvania.

His alma mater, Hillsdale College, added a seashell to their coat of arms to honor his service.  For someone who did relatively little, he made the most of what little he actually did.  (Or he would have had he lived after the battle.)

But maybe that's part of his mystique.  He's a well-regarded heroic figure who died at the peak of his fame.  He never had the chance to disappoint the public or to be revealed as a lucky mediocrity like Dewey.  He's too big to be built up, but too small to bother tearing down.

In hindsight, he's a man who seems to have been destined to be a footnote in history.

Well, that is one big footnote and I'd sure settle for it myself.  A great American in every way.

And to think that just a little over a month ago I had no knowledge of this man other than the quote.  I didn't even know that he fought during the Civil War.

From M.B. to M.B..   From the Battle of Mobile Bay to the Battle of Manila Bay.  And it would have been even better if I had found that he was at the Battles of Fort Fisher, but at least George Dewey was.

You May Stop This Blog When Ready, Cooter.  --DaCoot

Spring Grove Fish Hatchery-- Part 2: Winter Time Ice Skating and a Real Nice Park

Winter time was a favorite of the children of Spring Grove as they would bundle up and go out to the fish hatchery ponds for a day of ice skating.  Thomas McCaferty  was known to leave the door to the hatchery building open so the children could come inside and warm up, something much appreciated on those chill days.

While the fish hatchery was an important part of the growth of Spring Grove for nearly a century, it closed in 2005.  (We moved to Spring Grove in 1992.)

The property was acquired by the Village of Spring Grove in 2007 (I understand for the princely sum of $1) with the goal of turning  the old hatchery into a community park with a historical display to commemorate and explain what it was and how the hatchery did it.

With a number of volunteers, some money, the area was transferred into a beautiful park.  The ponds needed reconstruction and walking paths were built around the pools along with fishing piers.

Fishing is allowed, but no live bait and it is catch and release.

The park was completed and opened to the public in 2012.  There is a small charge if you are not a resident of the village.

Every year in the spring they have a major fundraiser at Spring Grove's Horse Fair Park with a Door County-style fish boil put on by Fitzgerald's in nearby Genoa City.

It is one really pretty place.

--CootFish

Annie's Woods No Longer NIU "Lover's Lane" in 1968

From the October 17, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"The DeKalb Park District Board passed a resolution, which, in effect, means that Annie's Woods, the small park north of Miller Avenue near the bridge, will no loner be a 'lover's lane' for Northern Illinois University students.  Meeting at the Ellwood House, the park board approved a resolution to close Annie's Woods to all vehicles."

Annie's Woods is a park right by the east side of Northern Illinois University.

Neck in the woods no longer, dear college students.

Now, Where Is That Motel No-Tell?   --Cooter

Still Looking for "Big Joe's" Mate in 1943

From the August 15, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

I first wrote about this on August 20, 2018.

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"Although one effort to secure a cow buffalo for Hopkins Park brought only temporary success, the buffalo passing away shortly after arriving in DeKalb, efforts are being made within another week to secure another mate for "Big Joe" the present occupant of the tract in back of the Sanatorium."

Joe Needs a Wife.  --Cooter

I Sure Got My History's Worth Last Weekend-- Part 4: Grant Park and the Cannons

AUGUST 26, SUNDAY

After leaving the U.S. Grant House, I drove the short distance to Grant Park by the river and took a walk around it.  They are noted for their cannons captured in war.

First I took a look at the Napoleon 12-pounder, a cannon used extensively during the Civil War in both Confederate and Union artillery units.  This one was reportedly captured.  Then, i saw the Blakely cannon which was at the attack on Fort Sumter and might have fired the first shot of the battle.

Then they have a large cannon from the Spanish cruiser Viscaya, sunk during the Spanish-American War.

Lastly, there was a Krupps cannon from World War I.

All Of These Were Captured Cannons.  --Cooter

DeKalb Woman's Club Deeds Annie's Woods to the City in 1917

From the May 3, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"This is an epochal day for the DeKalb Woman's Club.  After about five years of hard work and planning the big project of the club whereby its members bought and paid for the Annie's Woods, one of the prettiest places in DeKalb vicinity and a favorite recreation spot.

"This afternoon the board of the Woman's Club met with mayor P.N. Joslyn and Judge McEwen to deed over the woods to the city."

And, Annie's Woods is still there, right by the Kishwaukee River and the eastern edge of Northern Illinois University.

Thank You Ladies!!  We're Still Enjoying It!!  --DaCoot