Top Elgin headlines 50, 75 and 100 years ago

“I sure hope the YWCA plan for letting women bring men to their ‘spooning parlor' works out.”

“What do you think about the Elgin Board of Education ending the free lunch program?”

“Can you believe Elgin is going to demolish 25 areas of its downtown?”

These are some of the comments people might have made after reading the Elgin newspapers of 50, 75 and 100 years ago. Here's a look at those and other stories that made Elgin area headlines in the fall of 1964, 1939, and 1914.

1964

Demolition begins:

The signs were up and the bulldozers were set to roll to demolish 25 acres of the city's downtown for a new civic center. Funded, in part, by federal subsidies, the undertaking involved the clearing of 57 different parcels that would eventually be occupied by a new city hall, Appellate Court building, post office, Hemmen's building and Gail Borden Public Library.

The time period also saw the opening of Elgin Lanes bowling facility and Willow Lake Estates mobile home area, where potential residents were told they could rent space for $2 per day.

Barbers talk:

Nonprofit organizations are always looking for different ways to promote their groups, and the Elgin YMCA came up with a unique way to involve barbers in this effort.

Using one of their best arts — conversation — the men agreed to talk up the YMCA and its benefits for three weeks to all who sat in their chairs. Signs advising patrons to “Ask Your Barber about the YMCA” went up in all the city's shops and free passes were offered to those who wanted them.

At the movies:

At Elgin's Crocker Theater, moviegoers could see “A Hard Day's Night” with the Beatles and “The Patsy” with Jerry Lewis. The nearby Grove Theater featured the movie “It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Those who wanted to venture out to the Star View Outdoor Theater at the corner of routes 20 and 59 could view “Flipper's New Adventure.”

1939

Bicycle race:

More than 250,000 people came out to witness the 13th annual Elgin to Chicago Bike Race. Beginning on Route 31, between Chicago Street and Highland Avenue, the 67-mile contest culminated at 21st Place and Damen Avenue in Chicago. Of the 500 entries, the first-place winner made it to the finish line in just over two hours and 21 minutes.

Horseshoe throwing record:

In other sporting news, Frank Breen, already known for his horseshoe throwing acclaim, set a new world marathon record at Wing Park. Pitching with precision accuracy, the left-handed player threw 2,436 ringers in just over 10 hours. The fierce competitor continued for more than seven hours before stopping to drink a quart of milk and eat two hot dogs.

No free lunches:

Stating that it considered free lunches “un-American in principle” and that they might “encourage young people to expect a living from the government,” the Elgin Board of Education voted to ban a lunch program going on at the district's west side Abbott School.

The action ended a monthlong program in which the schools were using free federal commodities to prepare free hot lunches for the students.

Objections came from Elgin's mayor who said a precedent had already been set by free soup provided to students by the American Legion. Another protest was registered by a citizen who said there was no difference between this type of federal aid and subsidies accepted by the school board when it constructed recent additions to Elgin High School.

Looming war:

Although the U.S. had not yet entered World War II, ongoing fighting in Europe prompted the VFW to adopt a position of “strict neutrality” in the conflict, according to the organization's state patriotic leader who hailed from Elgin.

At the Elgin Turners Club, where many of the members had served in the German army during World War I, discussion about war activity was banned.

The Elgin Police Department also said it would be attending meetings in Chicago to learn how to fully cooperate with the F.B.I. in its request to “minimize the activities of foreign spies in the U.S.”

1914

‘Spooning Parlor':

Young Elgin women, especially those who were working and living on their own and had no place to visit with their male friends, would soon be able to use the parlor of the YWCA under a plan proposed by the organization's new secretary.

“Our rooms are ample and cozy,” she said.

There would also be no restrictions on the number of nights the women could entertain their male guests. The innovation was also expected to include privacy screens similar to those in a YWCA in another community where she first saw the idea.

Illegal liquor sales:

Though Elgin Township had voted “dry” in a local referendum several months earlier, “blind pigs,” or illegal sales, continued to make the news. One offender asked for a trial by jury only to be found guilty and fined $5 — a fine “dry” forces protested was too low.

In another incident, residents near Lords Park on the east side wanted something done about a liquor establishment that operated just across the Cook County line and was selling beer in five-gallon containers.

Strict football rules:

Finally, students wanting to play football at Elgin High School were told they could not eat pie, cake, or any kind of pastry during the season, or ice cream the day of game. Carbonated beverages were also banned.

Dating was not allowed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, and dancing was only permitted on Saturday.

One student who was suspended for violation of the rules — his second offense — would later become an Elgin school board president.