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, May 1, 1940
New Light Plan May Avert Raise Reeder Declares
Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pro-Rating May Even Cut Cost; Increase, If Any Would B Small
Pro-rating of the community’s monthly electric bill would not necessarily mean an increase in individual charges for light and power, Community Manager Sherwood L. Reeder pointed out this week.
In letters to tenants whose leases are expiring, Reeder declared:
“I believe I should point out that the pro-rating of charges for electric current does not necessarily mean an increase in your electric bill. It can mean a decrease, if, as a community, we sufficiently reduce the residential consumption of electric current.
Cost Would Be Small
Mr. Reeder explained that even if the average consumption is greater than that allowed under “normal” conditions, the increase in charges would not be in direct proportion to the excess in consumption.
“For example.” he said, “a 25-per-cent overuse will mean only about a 10-per-cent increase in the charge, which would amount to approximately 50 cents to 85 cents, depending on the size of the unit. With the co-operation of every family in Greendale, we believe that actually the additional charge, if any, would be small. …
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Greendale to Observe Its Second Anniversary With Dance Saturday
Advisory Group Inspects Village
Committee of Notables to Attend Luncheon; Will Hear Report by Reeder
A meeting of the Greendale Advisory committee, composed of outstanding Milwaukee citizens, was to be held at the Community building, Wednesday, May 1, in commemoration of Greendale’s second birthday.
Luncheon was to be served to committee members who were to be guests of the community manager. Later in the afternoon the committee were to meet with community leaders and inspect the village.
A feature of the meeting was to be a report of the community manager on developments in Greendale during the past two years. In this report Mr. Reeder was to trace the beginnings of our village down through the development of the full community life which exists today. …
… Members of the committee are the following: Benjamin Glassberg chairman; Mrs. E. A. Bacon, Bruno V. Bitker, Harry Bogner, Miss Dorothy Enderis, Leon Gurda, Henry L. Nunn, Mrs. H. V. Schwalbach and Harold W. Story.
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Greendale Year by Year
May 1, 1937
Greendale was a vast area of excavations and preliminary construction work, presenting a scene of bustling activity by day, a deserted village by night . . . Raw earth.
May 1, 1938
After a feverish day of moving and settling, the first five families to move into completed homes settle down into well-earned slumber. Trees were tiny saplings and graded yards gave promise of future lawns.
May 1, 1939
About 75 per cent of the homes are now occupied, and lawns have become lush and green, with landscaped gardens beginning to appear. The business district is beginning to hum with activity, and several stores are already occupied. The village is to be dedicated with a huge pageant.
May 1, 1940
Today we see a flourishing village with all 572 homes occupied and a still growing population, which now number 2,601.
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Installation of Village Heads to Mark Frolic at Community Building
Greendale will celebrate its second birthday with a dance and public installation of village officers on Saturday, May 4, at the Community building, under the sponsorship of the Citizens’ association.
Music, from 8 to 12 o’clock, will be furnished by Russ Mund’s Greendale Ramblers—one of the first orchestras of native origin to play at the Community building.
Scouts, Women Assist
Checking will be ably taken care of by the Boy Scout organization at 10 cents per person and refreshments will be served by those expert “Sisters of the Skillet”—the Greendale Women’s Club.
A competent decoration committee headed by Herman Kegel and Warren Bjorn will provide the proper “atmosphere” to while away a few hours of dancing.
An excellent program will be presented on the stage under the direction of Miss Gretchen Kunze.
Reeder to Speak
After a short address by Community Manager Sherwood Reeder, the Boy Scouts will present their “Salute to the Flag” and the installation of newly elected village officers will follow with Everett Trudell, president of the Citizens’ association, presiding.
Let’s all turn out and enjoy this real Greendale celebration. No admission will be charged but voluntary donations will be gladly accepted to help defray dance expenses.
Help make Greendale’s second birthday a memorable occasion!
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Rugs Vanish From Lawn; Children Say Dogs Took Them Away to Woods
Our dog ordinance is tight, a model for other communities and yet, housewives might well give attention to the habits of these pets.
Our lovely spring weather is likely to tempt good housekeepers to beat and clean their often abused rugs outside on the green lawns. But beware of the dogs! On Arrowwood Street on last Friday two rugs, about 3 feet by 5 feet, were peacefully spread out to get their airing and cleaning. Their owner was perfectly at ease and gave no thoughts about their safety.
But behold. When they were supposedly ready to take their place inside again, they had vanished. Whither? Children playing in the neighborhood said that some playful dogs had carried them off. But the hiding place of our canine friends, probably deep in the Greendale woods, has not yet been found.
The distressed owner has promised a munificent reward, in form of one or more big bones for the recovery of her property.
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Dick Lenton Is Winner In Marble Tournament
Greendale’s marble tournament, held to determine who would be entered in the Journal-WPA tournament, was held Saturday, April 20. Fifty-six boys entered the contest and first place was won by eleven-year-old Richard Lenton, of 5619 Beaver Court.
James Oberhofer was runner up.
Richard’s next field to conquer will be the Milwaukee County tournament, a preliminary to the state finals.
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Closing Dates Are Set For Indoor Activities
Community center activities are drawing to a close after a busy winter season. It is the time of the year when people are thinking about spending their leisure time out of doors.
Closing Date
Saturday gym activities ---- May 4
Women’s Gym Class --------May 14
Archery Range --------------May 16
Men’s Gym -------------------May 15
Tap Dancing Classes --------May 17
Shop --------------------------May 16
Mr. Rostkowski asks that all who have unfinished projects should finish them by this date. Bills must be paid and the department will not be responsible for projects after May 16.
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Next week – What Do You Know About the Budget? It’s Hardly as Forbidding as It Sounds
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
