The Greendale Review Newspaper - Revisited Week 14 - 2/11/39 to 2/25/39 to 3/11/39

With this year being the 75th anniversary I thought it might be interesting as well as fun to look back at Greendale’s beginnings from the viewpoint of its own residents and local news stories of the day. Every Thursday through the end of the year, I will be posting humorous, relevant or just interesting stories from Greendale’s original newspapers.

The following selected stories are copied exactly as they were originally written (including some misspellings) unless otherwise noted. Some may be shortened with “…”. They will be in bold and italicized type.

Also, just a reminder - Greendale first opened to residents on May 1, 1938

The Greendale Review - Saturday, February 11, 1939

THE HUB OF THE GREENBELT

Greendale Volunteer Fire department

   During the latter weeks of August, 1938, when Greendale began to be reasonably well populated, the need for adequate fire protection became apparent. Heretofore, with few resident families, an unorganized group composed mostly of maintenance men working with Warren Hale, then acting chief, answered all calls. Their equipment consisted mainly of a 1921 model T Ford, rebuilt and fitted with an auxiliary motor driven pump capable of delivering a maximum of 70 gallons of water per minute.

Today, the Greendale Fire Department include 28 full time members, seven associate members and Fire Chief Hale. The equipment consists of a Howe-built fire fighting combination constructed on a Diamond T chassis. The pump, driven by a ninety-five horse-power diamond T engine, has a capacity of five hundred gallons of water per minute, and is capable of handling an overload of an additional 200 gallons per minute. The truck carries 1000 feet of two and one half inch hose, four hundred feet of one and one half inch hose, three hundred feet of one inch hose, a two hundred gallon auxiliary water tank, chemical extinguishers, a thirty five foot extension ladder and roof ladder. …

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The Greendale Review – Saturday, February 25, 1939

THE HUB OF THE GREENBELT

FREE HAIRCUTS FOR KIDDIES

   Children under the age of 14, whose parents are unemployed, will be given free haircuts, by Greendale’s popular mater barber, “Red” McCoesh.

   About four youngsters will be taken care of every morning, between the hours of 9:00 and 12:00, from Monday through Thursday.

   Mr. McCoesh offered his services to his fellow residents, and our “hats are off” to you Mr. McCoesh. You are showing the true ‘Greendale Spirit’.

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Model House Type of Furniture For Sale to Tenants

   Sample furniture, of the type used to furnish the model house, has been received by the management and will be on display in the Variety Store, today, between the hours of 10:00 a. m. and 8 p. m. Orders will be taken at that time for future delivery.

   This furniture was designed by the Special Skills Division of the Resettlement Administration and was manufactured by private furniture makers. The furniture is of simple design and sturdy construction. It is available only to tenants of Greendale and on terms which can easily be met.

   The pieces available include, arm and side chairs, dining tables, cupboard, cabinets, swing table, book cases, beds, dressing tables, dressers, chests, night tables, mirrors and desks. Upholstery covers on daybeds and easy chairs are available in rust, green, brown and blue. Dining room chairs have leatherette coverings in white, cream, blue and red.

   Everyone is invited to inspect this furniture, whether they desire tom purchase any or not.

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RADIO QUITE ENTERTAINING

   According to a radio questionnaire filled out by the members of the ninth grade, in the Greendale School, Kay Keyser, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey are favorites as dance orchestras.

   Bing Crosby, Kenny Baker and Rudy Valle are popular male singers. Connie Boswell and Frances Langford are popular girl singers.

   The questionnaire also brought back memories of Jack Oakie, who has been off the air for some time. His returning to the airways would satisfy his previous listeners.

   In other words the members of the ninth grade find radio a good source of entertainment.

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WANT  transportation from somebody who works from 7 A. M. to 3:30 P. M., and who passes in vicinity of N. 35th and W. State Streets. Call evenings. 5708 Clover Lane.

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Handicrafts Exhibit at Community Building

   An exhibit of handicrafts prepared by the Recreation Division of the WPA has been set up in the show cases in the Community Building.

   The exhibit includes an interesting array of objects fashioned from inexpensive materials. It includes models of sailing vessels and oxen carts, objects made from tinware, pottery that is ready for the baking kiln, metal bookends, weaving, woodwork, and marionettes. …

   … These objects will be on exhibit for two weeks.

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Letters-box for Greendale

   The long awaited letter-box will soon be available to Greendale residents. The box will be stationed in the arcade on Broad Street, between the Post Office and Drug Store.

   Folks who wish to mail letters in the evening or early morning hours, when the Post Office is closed, will welcome the outdoor box.

   All mail will be picked up twice daily, according to Postmaster Bengs.

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The Greendale Review – Saturday, March 11, 1939

THE HUB OF THE GREENBELT

Adjust Rents to Meet Large Family Needs

CUTS TO APPLY TO OCCUPIED THREE AND FOUR-BEDROOM UNITS ON RENEWAL OF LEASES

   An adjustment of rental rates on three and four-bedroom dwelling units in Greendale, to meet the needs of Milwaukee workers with large families, in line with established objectives of the community as a housing project, was announced today by Sherwood L. Reeder, Community Manager. …

… Adjustments to be made affect 230 three-bedroom single family units and 18 four-bedroom units. Present range of rents on these units is $30.50 to $36.50. The new rates will range from $29.75 to $32.50. …

… Reduction of rentals on these units brings down the average rents on all houses from $29.16 to $27.95.

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WPA Project Is Approved

Work To Begin This Month

   A quarter-million dollar WPA project has just been approved for Greendale, according to Sherwood L. Reeder, Community Manager. The project covers the completion of land development work which could not be finished last spring because of weather conditions and lack of sufficient funds. The work involved is primarily landscaping and includes grading, sodding and planting in the village homesites and public areas, the development of an athletic field, rip-rapping a portion of Dale Creek, constructing curb and gutter along parts of Northway and Southway, installing tennis court flood lighting, paving Grange Avenue from South 60th Street to South 76th Street, eradicating poison ivy, and surfacing of park walks.

   The work will take about one year to complete. It is expected to start within a few weeks. The work will be under the direction of Walter E. Kroening, engineering assistant to Mr. Reeder.

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Next week –The Greendale Review gets a new look!

Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.

Please leave a comment if you like these postings – thanks!

Steve Peters