My parents were guilty of it too. Fleeing the decaying city for the suburbs. Starting their families in the fresh, clean new suburbs of Chicago. I really can't blame them. They saw their old neighborhoods disappear before their eyes. Once magnificent neighborhoods full of history, classic architecture (what I wouldn't give for one of those "bungees" now), gorgeous churches built with the artistry of classic craftsmen from the "old country". I've heard stories of the elaborate movie palaces, weekly church dances, hanging out on the lakefront beaches, everything the magnificent city offered right at their fingertips.
Searching the internet I've found that so many of the old churches are gone. The neighborhoods that kept them alive changed so much that the parishes just died. Mom and Dad married at Our Lady of Peace on 79th Street at Jeffery. Its now a Haitian Mission. Looks like the building is still standing but I doubt it would be recognizable to her.
Dad went to dances on Saturday nights with his buddies and met girls from all of the surrounding parishes. St. Agnes, St. Sabinas, St. Killians, Visitation. He was quite well known for his prowess on the dance floor. Even now (65+ years later) the ladies still remember him!
Surely there are hundreds of stories out there about the good old days. Tell me how it was.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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