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 – Wednesday, February 21, 1940
Neighboring High School Students Show Interest In Village
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This project was the result of the study of housing problems in Miss Helen Steel’s sociology class. The boys, who made the model outside of school hours, are Robert Remiker of 2570 S. Shore drive, Daniel Hinz of 3766 S. Austin St., and John Radik of 2541 S. Austin St.
Miss Steel included in the study of housing needs the two types of government housing projects, private attempts at such projects, European plans and other possible solutions. The proximity of Greendale made it an excellent model she said.
Miss Steel states: “The project took approximately 165 hours of labor and is fairly complete. The Village Hall boasts a clock on its tower; the modernistic gas station has four gas pumps; three tennis courts complete even to the net are on location; and the American flag is flying before the school building. There are 248 small houses; 30 large houses; 20 small apartments; and 31 large apartments. The houses are painted according to the Greendale plan. The windows were stamped on the houses with a dye specially made for the purpose. There are 190 garages.
Attempts will be made in the near future, to have the project brought to Greendale and displayed in the community building.
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GREENDALE REVIEW – Wednesday, March 6, 1940
PHONE PETITION BEING CIRCULATED
The following petition is being circulated in the village.
“We, the undersigned, do hereby state that the telephone rates in Greendale, Wisconsin are exorbitant and out of proportion with existing rates in other communities of like size.”
“We therefore petition the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to hold a hearing on the matter in Greendale, Wisconsin at the earliest possible date.”
In an interview with one of the people circulating the petition, it was learned that the majority of the villagers are eager to sign the petition and bring the telephone situation in the village to a climax.
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Ask Extension of W.P.A. Project
The committee of Public Works of the village board under the chairmanship of Raymond J. Miller, was informed at its meeting last Thursday, February 29, by Walter E. Kroening, village engineer, of the work items included in the proposed extension of the present Greendale W.P.A. project, which is being requested by S. L. Reeder, community manager. The project is to be sponsored by the Farm Security Administration, and will total $254,000, of which $168,000 will be devoted to labor, approximating employment for 250 men for a period of 10 months.
Walks Improved
The work for which approved is being requested includes paving, consisting of bituminous surface of present gravel walks and the continuation of some of these walks, as well as the resurfacing of portions of the following streets; Basswood, Balsam, Butternut, Badger, Schoolway, Clover, Currant, and Crocus. It is also hoped to improve Grange Avenue from 76th street west to 92nd Street under this program.
Other contemplated improvements include the floodlighting of a baseball diamond, the construction of portable bleachers, the restoration of the historic Curtin house and the building of a shelter house in the recreational area. The latter building will provide sanitary facilities and a room for skaters to change shoes. Locker space and showers are also contemplated for the use of participants in athletic events.
Kroening stated that an exhibit of the proposed recreational area development was being prepared by James Drought, landscape engineer. This plan is to be exhibited at the community building and Village Hall upon its completion. The recreational area when completed will include the flood lighted baseball diamond, football field and shelter house, and a fine picnic grove. Further improvement of this recreational area, which is now being prepared for submittal to W.P.A. authorities will, if approved, provide a lake, which will be about 2,300 ft. long with a maximum width of 250 ft. and a maximum depth of 16 ft. Two earth dams, each 18 ft in height and totaling in length about 600 ft. are required to impound the 17,000,000 gallons of water. This lake, if built, will certainly be an answer to a long-felt need in Greendale, as it will afford facilities for swimming, boating and skating. The shelter house is to be so located that it is within a short distance of all the recreational facilities; connecting walks and several foot bridges interconnecting the various recreational zones with the shelter house. Two parking spaces, one for athletic events and the other for picnic grove parking, are also within a short distance from the shelter house.
The unsightly and hazardous old barns and other structures are to be demolished. Since the material reclaimed from this demolition is the property of the W.P.A. for re-use in the proposed work, such material is not available to Greendale residents as firewood. The material that is now being burned by the W.P.A. laborers is unfit for any other purpose, particularly for storage as future firewood by residents, since the wood is in the height of its decay, carrying numerous types of insect life.
Several important improvements to the Greendale homes, including the construction of additional screen racks, the graveling of some sub-areas and garage floors, and incidental items are also included in the proposal.
In answer to a question by Trustee Burnside, Kroening stated that the completion of the landscape work under the present W.P.A. program would be started as soon as weather permitted this spring.
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LIBRARY EXHIBITS MODEL of GREENDALE
The miniature village replica of Greendale built by Robert Remiker, John Radik and Daniel Hinz of Bay View high school is now on exhibit in the Greendale library.
Through the kindness of Miss Helen Steel, teacher of the sociology class where the boys made the model, we have secured the model for a short period of time. Those who have seen the model are unanimous in declaring it is a splendid piece of work. The library is open each Tuesday and Thursday from seven to nine p.m.
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Next week – Pheasant Causes Blackout.
Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.
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Also, please check out my new Greendale history book:
'Greendale, Wisconsin - Then and Now'
See some of it here:
http://peters-design.com/index_files/Page1920.htm
Contact me if you are interested in purchasing one or more copies. They will make great Christmas gifts!
Thanks,
Steve Peters
