Huntington Historical Society

We know a bit about Chicago history here at the Huntington home because we've always found it uniquely fascinating given its notorious, often dark, reputation which sees elements persisting even to this day.

Probably to the chagrin of it's political and business leaders, it's still known as a gangster town.  One where Al Capone, corruption and graft reigned supreme and, by many accounts, those traits have never been fully abandoned by the City's political apparatus. Read the rest of this entry »

I stopped for breakfast at one of the local diners the other morning, something I do every once in awhile just to stay in touch with some area friends.  Having little interest or trust in, so-called, healthy dieting, I usually start with a half dozen eggs, sunnyside up; 12 strips of bacon; triple order of heavily buttered toast and a gallon of black, piping hot, coffee.  On very rare occasions, I'll swap things for some french toast and/or creamed chipped beef over toast (SOS as we call it). Read the rest of this entry »

I sent one of the neighbor kids on an errand the other day.  I guess he's not really a kid, as he has his first car, so we'll just call him a young adult.

I really didn't need anything, but he's just gotten his first car.  He picked up a Chevy Malibu from the government owned car company, and he's been out trying to impress everyone by racing the engine, thus disturbing my slumber.  I can't blame him much.  I remember many days when I would annoy anybody I could by revving an engine.  But back then, they were real cars and not the ridiculous, overpriced and underpowered, contraptions they sell nowadays. Read the rest of this entry »

 I was thinking of my Grandfather the other day.  He's been gone a good many years now and, as happens with the passage of time, many of the recollections are lost but there's always wonderful memories that stick with you,  I have many of them, despite the decades that have passed.

The famous optical illusion, "All Is Vanity",  by Charles Allan Gilbert, always sparks thoughts of my Granddad.  One of my earliest memories is of the Vanity hanging on the wall in his front room.  It was there as long as I can recall and I still remember taking it off the wall when he passed.  I still have it. Read the rest of this entry »

We were saddened this past week with the news that Phil Harris of  "The Deadliest Catch" passed away.  I've spoke of our fondness for the program previously, and Captain Harris was a big part of the attraction.

I suppose it's because he so represented the image of what I've always imagined a fishing boat captain to be.  Brash, rough and determined are the obvious traits I think of and, of course, I'm not talking about someone out on their 8 foot bass boat over the weekend.  What we mean here are REAL fishing boat Captains.  There's just no comparing the Bering Sea to an old 3 acre pond down in the corner of some farmers' 180 acre cow pasture.  Read the rest of this entry »

At least that's what I told Mrs. Huntington to excuse my long term absence.  However, she seems to be watching the same episode of Little House On The Prairie that was responsible for my decision to take a stroll to begin with.  She'll probably have more to confront me with once it's over.

I suppose that's one of the advantages of having a website.  One can take a long term break from it and who really notices? 

Which isn't entirely true as I did have an email from Tricia Boyle, "Anonymous" asking if I planned on sharing any more Billy Williams soon.  Well, in good time, I might do just that. Read the rest of this entry »