Showing posts with label taverns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taverns. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
A Drunk Driver Finds Himself Between a Fence and a Fire Hydrant in 1942
From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1942, 75 Years Ago.
"Police department officials had something new to look after while cruising in the squad car, and one that required some dexterity on the part of the city street department workmen to extricate the automobile of a Cortland man.
"From information available, the Cortland man had spent much of the day in taverns and as he attempted to return home, turned the wrong corner and found himself on a dead-end street and the next thing he had driven his machine between a fence and a fire hydrant, the rear of his machine hooked onto a fire plug.
"He endeavored to release his car and threw enough dirt with the back wheels to resemble an early spring plowing task."
Don't Drink and Drive.
Oops. --Cooter
Friday, November 10, 2017
Marines In the American Revolution-- Part 1: The Job and First Commandant
The U.S. Marines were authorized by the Continental Congress 10 November 1775 when two battalions were to be formed. Their job was conduct ship-to-ship fighting, shipboard security and discipline enforcement and to assist landing forces.
The first commandant, Captain Samuel Nicholas, was commissioned 28 November. Enlisting took place at Nicholas' family's tavern "The Conestoga Waggon" or, according to Marine lore, the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.
--Cooter
Monday, December 19, 2016
Looking Back to 1941: The Wet and Dry in Sycamore Township
1941, 75 Years Ago.
"Sycamore Township is almost dry. There is but one tavern left in the township but that is not to be confused with the moisture inside the city limits. Sycamore Township had two taverns until a few weeks ago when one voluntarily closed.
"The Ace of Clubs, a place operated under one title or another and by several different proprietors since repeal has closed its doors. The place was located on Route 23 on the northern edge of Sycamore's city limits.
"Reuben Nelson continues to operate Coast Inn, a tavern located on Route 64 on the west edge of the township."
Wet in Sycamore, Mostly Dry in Sycamore Township. Moisture Inside City Limits. --Cooter
"Sycamore Township is almost dry. There is but one tavern left in the township but that is not to be confused with the moisture inside the city limits. Sycamore Township had two taverns until a few weeks ago when one voluntarily closed.
"The Ace of Clubs, a place operated under one title or another and by several different proprietors since repeal has closed its doors. The place was located on Route 23 on the northern edge of Sycamore's city limits.
"Reuben Nelson continues to operate Coast Inn, a tavern located on Route 64 on the west edge of the township."
Wet in Sycamore, Mostly Dry in Sycamore Township. Moisture Inside City Limits. --Cooter
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Chicago Taverns-- Part 5: Drunkard Haters and "The Blind Pig"
9. After bloody clashes between police and labor activists in 1877, a new group decided tat saloons were partly to blame. Its activists began monitoring bars to see if youths and already intoxicated customers were being served, then filed complaints with police and urged the patrons' families to sue.
The group's name was sobering all by itself. They were called The Citizens League of Chicago for the Suppression of the Sale of Liquor to Minors and Drunkards.
10. Unlicensed bars in Chicago were once known as "BLIND PIGS." The origin of the term is unclear, though there is a story about police raiding an illegal one which had a sign reading "APG." A cop described it as "a pig with its I knocked out." In other words, a blind pig.
Oink, Oink. --Cooter
The group's name was sobering all by itself. They were called The Citizens League of Chicago for the Suppression of the Sale of Liquor to Minors and Drunkards.
10. Unlicensed bars in Chicago were once known as "BLIND PIGS." The origin of the term is unclear, though there is a story about police raiding an illegal one which had a sign reading "APG." A cop described it as "a pig with its I knocked out." In other words, a blind pig.
Oink, Oink. --Cooter
Friday, October 9, 2015
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Chicago Taverns-- Part 4: Of Bad Behavior and Hats
7. Plenty of BAD BEHAVIOR has taken place at Chicago bars. Al Capone shot and killed rival "Ragtime Joe" Howard at Hymie Jacobs' bar on South Wabash in 1924. Attorney W.W. O'Brien, who helped inspire the character Billy Flynn in the play and movie "Chicago," was shot in 1921 at Ryan & Novak's saloon on South State but refused to name his attacker. He won plenty of business from mobsters after that.
In 1903, a saloon owner allowed his establishment at Dearborn and Randolph streets to be used as a temporary morgue after the Iroquois Theater fire. The barkeep was caught stealing about $200 from a body.
8. In 1941, the Ratcliffe family threw a party at its Rogers Park bar, the Ranger Inn, for a relative who was going into the Army. That GI left his civilian HAT at the bar, saying he would reclaim it when he was out of the service.
For the next four years, more than 400 people hung their hats there as they went off to war. When peace came, the bar held a hat-reclaiming party. Those that went unclaimed were disposed of at a bonfire. The American Legion held a memorial service for three hat owners who never returned from the fighting.
--DaCooy
In 1903, a saloon owner allowed his establishment at Dearborn and Randolph streets to be used as a temporary morgue after the Iroquois Theater fire. The barkeep was caught stealing about $200 from a body.
8. In 1941, the Ratcliffe family threw a party at its Rogers Park bar, the Ranger Inn, for a relative who was going into the Army. That GI left his civilian HAT at the bar, saying he would reclaim it when he was out of the service.
For the next four years, more than 400 people hung their hats there as they went off to war. When peace came, the bar held a hat-reclaiming party. Those that went unclaimed were disposed of at a bonfire. The American Legion held a memorial service for three hat owners who never returned from the fighting.
--DaCooy
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Chicago's Taverns-- Part 3: Mike Royko and Rush Street
5. Famed Tribune columnist (also the Chicago Daily News) MIKE ROYKO grew up in an apartment over his parents' tavern, the Blue Sky Lounge at 2122 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Later, he offered advice on barroom demeanor: "Don't sit next to someone who leans over at more than 1 45-degree angle. ...Never call a bartender with an 18-inch neck 'my good man' or 'fellow.' ...In a strange bar, never use the phone more than once or they'll think you're planning a stickup."
Mike Royko was one of my all-time favorite columnists.
6. Chicago's famous RUSH STREET bar district, which sports many taverns and clubs on Rush and Division and neighboring streets, got its start in the early 1950s and flourished in the 1960s and 1970s, when it became a big tourist destination. By 1985, some folks would say the area was past its peak, a typical weekend night would see 60,000 people flocking to the area to party.
--Cooter
Mike Royko was one of my all-time favorite columnists.
6. Chicago's famous RUSH STREET bar district, which sports many taverns and clubs on Rush and Division and neighboring streets, got its start in the early 1950s and flourished in the 1960s and 1970s, when it became a big tourist destination. By 1985, some folks would say the area was past its peak, a typical weekend night would see 60,000 people flocking to the area to party.
--Cooter
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Chicago Taverns-- Part 2: "Two-Gun Pete" and Prohibition
3. When infamous Chicago police officer SYLVERSTER "TWO-GUN PETE" WASHINGTON retired from the force in the 1950s, he opened a bar in the Oakland neighborhood called the Hill Top Lounge. as a cop, he had shot many suspects, including at least nine fatally. As a barkeep, he saved a reminder of those days in a cigar box with bullet fragments pulled from his victims.
4. The definition of Chicago tavern expanded a bit during PROHIBITION. Thirsty patrons turned to the local pharmacy (with a doctor's prescription, residents could buy whiskey), the soda fountain counter (a risky yet common venture for many in the business) and, of course, the unnamed hole-in-the-wall speakeasy.
And, in October 1923, police cracked down on liquor sales of a fishmonger (the herring delivered a kick), a shoe shine (moonshine) and even a candy store which sold rye on the side.
--CooterShine
4. The definition of Chicago tavern expanded a bit during PROHIBITION. Thirsty patrons turned to the local pharmacy (with a doctor's prescription, residents could buy whiskey), the soda fountain counter (a risky yet common venture for many in the business) and, of course, the unnamed hole-in-the-wall speakeasy.
And, in October 1923, police cracked down on liquor sales of a fishmonger (the herring delivered a kick), a shoe shine (moonshine) and even a candy store which sold rye on the side.
--CooterShine
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Chicago Taverns-- Part 1: Lincoln's Body and Mickey Finns
From the August 16, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Mark Jacob and Stephan Benzkofer.
Alright, we have some more interesting factoids from these two.
This article appeared because Illinois once again has Happy Hour. That's nice, but a bunch of the places that now have it, dropped their daily drink specials.
1. A depraved plot took place in 1876 in a Near West Side saloon called The Hub when a crime ring decided to steal ABRAHAM LINCOLN's corpse from a Springfield cemetery and demand a $200,000 ransom and the release of an imprisoned comrade.
Their big problem was that one of their members was a mole for the U.S. secret Service. When they opened Lincoln's sarcophagus, the feds moved in, but they escaped but were later arrested in Chicago.
2. The expression "TO SLIP SOMEONE A MICKEY" comes from a South Loop bar called the Lone Star Saloon and Palm Garden, circa 1900.
The proprietor was known for doctoring drinks and stealing customer valuables when they passed out. His name was Michael Finn, aka Mickey Finn.
One, Two, Three, Floor. --Cooter
Alright, we have some more interesting factoids from these two.
This article appeared because Illinois once again has Happy Hour. That's nice, but a bunch of the places that now have it, dropped their daily drink specials.
1. A depraved plot took place in 1876 in a Near West Side saloon called The Hub when a crime ring decided to steal ABRAHAM LINCOLN's corpse from a Springfield cemetery and demand a $200,000 ransom and the release of an imprisoned comrade.
Their big problem was that one of their members was a mole for the U.S. secret Service. When they opened Lincoln's sarcophagus, the feds moved in, but they escaped but were later arrested in Chicago.
2. The expression "TO SLIP SOMEONE A MICKEY" comes from a South Loop bar called the Lone Star Saloon and Palm Garden, circa 1900.
The proprietor was known for doctoring drinks and stealing customer valuables when they passed out. His name was Michael Finn, aka Mickey Finn.
One, Two, Three, Floor. --Cooter
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Schlitz Tavern in Chicago May Become a Landmark
From the September 29th Chicago Tribune by Alejandro Cancino.
The last of eight taverns asking for landmark designation, the former Schlitz Brewery tavern in Bucktown, did so September 29th. Such status would put restrictions on future changes on the architecture. It also enables owners to seek local and federal tax breaks if they seek renovation.
Now home to Floyd's Pub, the former Schlitz tavern at 1844 N. Oakley Avenue is one of at least 41 remaining buildings across the city, built from the late 1800s to early 1900s, by brewing companies selling their product. Such taverns were called tied houses. A Schlitz belted globe remains on the building.
Most of the bars were built by Schlitz and other Milwaukee-based breweries in the German Renaissance revival style. A smaller number of local brewers like Atlas, Birk Brothers and Fortune Brothers also built their own taverns. These places would only sell their owners' product.
Other taverns receiving landmark status:
** 958 W. 69th Street
** 2159 W. Belmont Ave., now a Starbucks.
** 3159 N. Southport Ave., now Schuba's Tavern
** 11499 S. Front Ave.
** 2456 S. Western Ave.
** 5129 N. Broadway, now home of the South-East Asian Center.
1801 W. Division St., now Mac's American Pub
A former Schlitz stable building at 11314 Front Ave., also received Landmark status.
More taverns are expected to request the status as well.
With Drink in Hand. --Cooter
The last of eight taverns asking for landmark designation, the former Schlitz Brewery tavern in Bucktown, did so September 29th. Such status would put restrictions on future changes on the architecture. It also enables owners to seek local and federal tax breaks if they seek renovation.
Now home to Floyd's Pub, the former Schlitz tavern at 1844 N. Oakley Avenue is one of at least 41 remaining buildings across the city, built from the late 1800s to early 1900s, by brewing companies selling their product. Such taverns were called tied houses. A Schlitz belted globe remains on the building.
Most of the bars were built by Schlitz and other Milwaukee-based breweries in the German Renaissance revival style. A smaller number of local brewers like Atlas, Birk Brothers and Fortune Brothers also built their own taverns. These places would only sell their owners' product.
Other taverns receiving landmark status:
** 958 W. 69th Street
** 2159 W. Belmont Ave., now a Starbucks.
** 3159 N. Southport Ave., now Schuba's Tavern
** 11499 S. Front Ave.
** 2456 S. Western Ave.
** 5129 N. Broadway, now home of the South-East Asian Center.
1801 W. Division St., now Mac's American Pub
A former Schlitz stable building at 11314 Front Ave., also received Landmark status.
More taverns are expected to request the status as well.
With Drink in Hand. --Cooter
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