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, August 12, 1939
GREENDALE NEWS REELS INTERESTING
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Did you see yourself in the movies shown at the Greendale theatre last week-end?
Winning that backward crawl race?
Did you see Larry Gillingham and Marvin Ott pulling up his pants after that strenuous tug-of-war? And Mrs. Eileen Campbell doing her bit in the ladies’ tug-of-war? There was also Willard Cowell at the church picnic and hundreds and hundreds of others. The theatre manager, Erwin Koenigsreiter, promises more of these interesting Greendale news reels.
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FIREMEN FROLIC
The firemen and their families and friends had a grand time at their annual picnic held in the school woods last Sunday.
More than 100 attended the doings which started in the morning with a basket lunch. Games were played in the afternoon and the crowd did not break up until past 6 p.m. Considering the work-out the boys had at the big fire on Saturday night, it was surprising how much pep they had.
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GREENDALE GOES A-CYCLING
With more of the village residents taking to the ever growing sport of cycling, Greendale is certain to become the cycling center of the nation.
From youngsters just able to reach the foot pedals, up to the nonchalant housewives who find time to leisurely ride all over Greendale’s hy-ways and by-ways are included residents of all ages and of both sexes.
Boys and girls alike seem to enjoy from sun up till way past twilight. Any evening after dusk these romantically minded youngsters can be found in pairs just congregating at any old place, or riding along quiet lanes and courts, or out in the rural areas where few cars disturb their riding two abreast.
But the housewives seem to be the real enthusiasts of cycling. Dressed comfortably in appropriate riding attire, they gallantly set out to conquer the difficult task of staying up on those two-wheeled contraptions. Not all, however, succeed and at first spills and tumbles are a-plenty. But once they master the job of staying put they like to cruise all over the village. To the store, to the neighbors, in fact any place at all, it’s always jump on the bike and away they go. It’s all in fun and it’s a splendid sport, and few villages can boast of safer streets for carefree riding.
A group of 20 young people bicycled to Muskego where they played games, picnicked and swam. Another trip will be scheduled soon, and it is hoped that adults who have bicycles will be able to go.
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RESIDENT WINS POINT
At last Art Marcus, that ardent patriot, has succeeded in gaining his objective, that is, the display of an American flag at public meetings in the village. Last week a flag was prominently displayed at the meeting of the village board. What if it was only a little 6 x 8 inch flag, such as the kids got at the Fourth of July parade, and what if its flag-pole was the old rubber plant which stands in the corner of the board room—it was still the STAR SPANGLED BANNER!
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FURNITURE SUPPLY BECOMING EXHAUSTED
Management announces that the supply of furniture available through the government is rapidly being exhausted. Persons contemplating the purchase of furniture through the government are urged to make their selections and place their orders as soon as possible. Word has been received from Washington that the supply of maple finish furniture is greatly depleted and that a wider choice remains in oak finish. Orders for furniture may be placed with Del F. Engle at the administration building.
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Night Fire Attracts Throng as Barn Burns
Fire, which last Saturday night destroyed the old barn standing near Highway 36 and Southway, proved thrilling entertainment for the hundreds who watched, as well as the first real workout for our village fire department.
(Note: This was not the barn that burned on Clover Lane – that was in January of 1949)
Blazing merrily by the time the alarm was sounded, which incidentally was the first time the newly installed siren was used, the barn was a mass of flames from top to bottom when the firemen arrived. So expertly did the fire ladies handle their real assignment, that had they been called earlier much more of the barn would still be standing.
Starting apparently from spontaneous combustion, due to straw on the floor of the barn, it took but a few minutes for the fire to race through the dried out lumber. The flames which seemed to break out simultaneously with the sounding of the alarm, attracted most of Greendale’s residents. Highway 36 was jammed with passerbys who stopped to view the spectacle. Soon after the arrival of the firemen came squads of deputy sheriffs, only to find our village police already on the job. By midnight the crowd was on its way back home.
But the real thrill was the way the fire ladies brought things under control in a hurry. With hose lying on all sides of the barn water was poured into what was left of the structure at the rate of tons a minute. Firemen succeeded in keeping the fire from burning several sheds adjacent to the barn.
Two of Greendale’s volunteer firemen were injured. Clarence Krause suffered lacerations on the heel and had to be taken to Johnston Emergency Hospital for treatment. Ervin Zillmer received a fractured thumb. Twenty-five of Greendale’s thirty firemen responded to the call.
The fire broke out at about 11:15 p.m. and it was 2:00 a.m. before the firemen were checked out.
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MORE WORK FOR SOMEBODY
Completion of the Grange Avenue paving has resulted in additional yard space for the families along the avenue. Several feet were added to each yard recently, when the tenants voted to accept the responsibility of maintaining the strip along the road.
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CHANGE MADE IN SUBSCRIPTION RATE
The Board of Directors of the Review has changed the pre-paid subscription rate tom 52 cents for 13 issues and $1.04 for 26 issues. Copies if sold individually will remain at five cents per copy.
On pre-paid subscriptions taken at any other rate, adjustments will be made by the circulation department.
On Monday, August 14, an intensive campaign for pre-paid subscriptions will be started. Assistant Circulation Manager, John L. Sullivan will receive subscriptions at his home 5569 Angle Lane.
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Next week – Electric meters being installed.
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
Steve Peters
