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
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
GREENDALE REVIEW – Saturday, July 1, 1939
GREENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Friday, at 8 a.m., Greendale’s newly appointed police department proudly donned their new uniforms and stood solemnly at attention in the early morning sun to permit an enterprising photographer from The Milwaukee Journal to snap their picture. After considerable adjusting of belts, badges and caps, Chief Robert Taylor was satisfied that the men looked their best and the photographer walked off with the plates right under the noses of The Greendale Review’s “up-to-the-minute” editors. Who immediately started pulling strings, to get a cut for this issue. Thanks to Mr. Reeder and the Journal, here it is. (see photo)
The uniforms consist of green coat and tan trousers, green and tan cap, tan shoes and tan shirts. Copper buttons adorn the coat front.
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BALL PLYER HURT ON WEST DIAMOND
While playing ball on the West Diamond at Northway and Grange on June 15, Art Brenner, Berry Court, suffered a broken right shin bone (tibia)
Brenner was running for a fly ball outside the foul line and ran into a rock boulder which was hidden by the tall grass.
Dr. Laura Fischer took Brenner to the Milwaukee Hospital for x-rays after which Dr. Harold Dvorak had Brenner’s leg put in a cast. Dr. Dvorak expects Brenner to be laid up for 6 to 8 weeks.
When interviewed at his home, Brenner said it was “just one of those things” that might happen to anyone playing ball. No blame can be placed on anyone for the unfortunate accident, however it is hoped that the area around the ball field will be cleaned up, so that other costly accidents may be avoided.
Some of the social organizations in Greendale are taking up a collection to offset some of the bills incurred by this unfortunate accident.
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MEDICAL SOCIETY PLAN GOING OVER BIG
Much enthusiasm has been expressed for the Medical Society’s plan sponsored by the Greendale Medical union. Three fourths of the quota, or over 150 families, have made application, and actually $147 in application fees have been turned in.
It is expected that the plan will go in effect in three or four weeks. This service is proving popular because it allows the subscriber free choice of a slate of over 300 physicians, and because the subscriber pays only $1 a month to the Medical Union and any sum up to the first $24 worth of medical service to his own physician. All service over $24 is free to the subscriber, the physician being reimbursed through the Medical Union monthly fees.
Telephone Service
A telephone will be installed in the home of Nic Schmidt, 5595 Municipal Square, for the use of all subscribers to the Medical Union who wish to call Milwaukee or West Allis physicians.
Anyone not yet contacted by members of the Medical Union may obtain applications from Dr. Dvorak’s and Dr. Fischer’s secretary in the medical office, second floor of the Post Office building.
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A YEAR AGO
On July 2, 1938 the first baby to be born in a Greendale home arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Klein, 6399 Blossom Ct.
On a very warm Fourth of July 200 families including 450 children celebrated and got acquainted. There was a parade, prizes for costumes, free pop and ice cream for the kiddies, lunch in the School woods, and all the “trimmins” of a real picnic.
The temporary committee met July 5 and formulated recommendations for a Greendale General Committee, which were accepted with a few changes by the residents at a meeting July 6. Those elected to the General Committee at that time were Otto Rathmann, Martin Paust, Helen Arndt, Arthur Wilkum, Mrs. John Dean, Cilfford Hooper, Fabian Strong, Fred Bublitz and Mrs. Harry Olsen.
The General Committee held its first meeting July 14, and appointed the telephone committee and committee on incorporation.
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SPEEDER FINED FIVE AND COSTS
The first court session ever to be held in Greendale resulted in a fine of $5 and costs, or a total of $9.43 for the defendant, Leo P. Kleman, Durham Hill, who pleaded guilty Monday, June 19, to the charge of speeding.
The arresting officer, Warren Hale, clocked Kleman’s speed at 46 miles per hour on Broad Street.
Justice of the Peace Henry Radke, who presided, said, “This sentence was tempered by the fact that this was the first case to be tried in Greendale. Ordinarily a speed of that sort would have brought a more severe punishment.”
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BRIGHT LIGHTS ON BROAD STREET
The Greendale Business Men’s association at their regular meeting Thursday evening discussed the practicability of Neon signs for the business houses on Broad Street. Several Neon sign companies displayed lights of various colors last week.
The original plan of the mercantile section does not include outdoor sign advertising, but the proprietors of the various businesses feel that bright lighting would enliven the street, and are hoping to persuade the management of its advisability.
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GREENDALE REVIEW – Saturday, July 15, 1939
Commission Approves New Telephone Rates
L. F. Fox, manager of the Wisconsin Telephone company, announced that one and two party business and one, two and four party residence telephone service is now available at Greendale.
Representatives of the Telephone company will interview Greendale residents, explain the new service and arrange for installation of telephones.
As a convenience to local residents, arrangements have been made with the Greendale drug store to serve as a collection agency where customers may pay their telephone bill.
The public service commission recently approved the rates filed with them, effective July 1, 1939.
The new schedule provides the following net rates for residence service: 1 party, $3.00; 2 party, $2.50; 4 party, $2.00. The present 8 party service would be eliminated under the new schedule.
For business service the new net rate would be $4.00 for 1 party and $3.50 for 2 party service. These rates will apply only to the central area of the village and not to the rural area.
Under this schedule it is understood that the exchange would be Greendale instead of Hales Corners, although the location of the exchange itself would continue to be in Hales Corners. This does not eliminate the 10c toll to Milwaukee but institutes a new 5c toll for calls to Hales Corners.
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Next week – The Greendale Tavern opens with its first customer!
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
Steve Peters
