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, March 6, 1940
PHEASANT CAUSES BLACKOUT
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A pheasant was electrocuted in flying into high tension wires on South 76th street last Wednesday night, February 28, The incident was witnessed by Walter E. Kroening, who went out to feed his chickens at the time this happened. He immediately searched the orchard for the pheasant. During this search, a car drove up the highway, stopped and proceeded on its way – evidently with the pheasant. A few minutes later, Tom Van Alstine drove in, and as a good neighbor offered semi-parbolied pheasant, which he had found, to Kroening.
This is the second incident of its kind which has caused a power failure in the Greendale area. It will be remembered that about a year ago an outage in the entire county was caused by birds swinging on high tension wires.
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BEAT STORK IN HOSPITAL RACE
Chief Robert E. Taylor received a call from 5615 Badger Court at 6:45 p.m. last Thursday, February 29. He was informed that the stork was hovering over that residence and that transportation to a Milwaukee hospital was urgent. In the race that followed the squad car beat the stork by a few minutes and now Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Whitman have a leap year baby girl.
When Chief Taylor was asked how it felt to be running neck and neck with Mr. Stork, he replied, “Oh, that slowpoke, the Greendale police department could beat him any time!”
Lost and Found Department
The police department has many lost articles at the safety building. These articles include a sled, a small auto, an Indian blanket, a mud chain, baseball glove, three scooters, two tricycles, a coaster wagon, baby shoes, a baby walker, several keys and many articles of clothing.
The police maintain a lost and found department for the convenience of the residents. Don’t hesitate to report when anything is lost. They will be glad to look for it. So far they have been able to locate and return about 50 per cent of all lost and found articles.
The police advise the residents to put their names on the wagons, sleds, scooters and other toys so that they can be identified easily.
Officer Jos. Kollross has completed the dog census in the village and is now working in the rural area. There are 126 dogs in the village of which 103 require a license. To date there have been 58 licenses issued.
In cruising about in the squad car the police have noticed many small children playing in the streets. Allowing the children to play in the street is dangerous at any time and particularly at this time of year due to the fact that the streets are slick and automobiles cannot stop as easily as usual. Help keep children safe by keeping them out of the streets.
Anyone wishing to be fingerprinted is invited to police headquarters. One copy is sent to Washington D.C. to the civilian fingerprint file, one is retained in Greendale and the individual may have a copy. Officer Warren Hale is in charge of this work, but any officer on duty will be glad to assist, when residents call.
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NEW DADDYS RECEIVE GIFTS
Wagner of the variety store is offering a free gift to each proud papa in the village.
Just call at any time after the big event and receive your gift.
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GREENDALE REVIEW – Wednesday, March 20, 1940
HOME BUILDING GROUP MAKES SURVEY REPORT
Within the last week the Home Building Committee of the Citizens; Association has mailed a questionnaire to every family in Greendale, in an effort to determine the amount of interest in home building prevalent among villagers.
Most of the questionnaires have been collected by the committee members and as a result of this survey it is apparent that one-third of the families in Greendale are interested in building their own homes.
Approximate results of the survey are as follows: One-sixth of those interested are eager to build within six months, at an average monthly payment of $35.00. The same number will be interested in constructing a home within one year, at the same monthly rate. And the balance of those interested in building would like to do so within two years at an approximate monthly payment of $33.00
These results are not final and it is contemplated that a more complete report will be given at the monthly meeting of the Citizens’ Association on the 25th of March.
The home Building Committee has spent a considerable amount of time and energy in conducting this canvass and many questions in regard to home building have been answered right in the houses of prospective builders.
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS ARE SLASHED
The following is a general summary of the village budget as passed by the village board at a special meeting Wednesday, March 13. The total of this budget is $50,744.00 for all village services and covers the 9 month period of April 1 to December 31, 1940. Several months ago it was decided to change the fiscal period of the village to a calendar year basis instead of running from April 1 to March 31 as in the past. It is for this reason that the current budget covers only a 9 month period. The next village budget will be for a full calendar year beginning January 1, 1941.
Payment Asked of Government
A request to the federal government for a payment in lieu of taxes in the amount of $46,168.47 is being made by the village board. The balance of the budget is derived from miscellaneous sources, such as licenses, fees, fines and state grants.
Department of public works employees and the police department were given salary increases. As a result of these increases the minimum salary to be paid to present village employees is $1,380 a year. After the approval of the budget a letter was sent to the village manager by the employees of the department of public works expressing their appreciation for the increases granted by the village board and pledging their continued loyal service to Greendale.
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Next week – Drug Store Employs Another Pharmacist.
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:
Contact me if you are interested in purchasing one or more copies. They will make great Christmas gifts!
Thanks,
Steve Peters
