Greendale Review Newspaper - Revisited Week 21 - 5/4/39

With this year being the 75^th 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

Dedicated Edition - GREENDALE REVIEW – Thursday, May 4, 1939

FRANCO ADOPTS GREENBELT HOME IDEA FOR SPAIN

   Burgos, Spain, April 18 (AP)—Gen. Franco took a tip from the United States today by creating a resettlement administration to build homes such as those in the Greenbelt project at Berwyn, Md.

   He drafted plans for construction of 20,000 modern dwellings of two and three rooms to give workers an opportunity to own their own homes after paying rents for periods as long as 20 years.

   His plans contemplate projects similar in many details to the Greenbelt homes, with broad park and recreational spaces.

--From Washington Post

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THE DISPLAY HOUSE

   In September of 1938, the present display house located at 5812 Current Lane was opened to the public. This presented to all interested an opportunity to inspect a typical home in Greendale, thus giving them a good idea of the architecture, construction, electrical features and numerous other items of interest.

   From that time to the present there has been a steady stream of visitors. During the week an average fifty visitors a day and on a Sunday afternoon, about five thousand. The display house has been a source on unfailing interest to visitors of all ages, from Grandmother and Grandfather who marvel at the step-saving utility room and efficient all-electric kitchen with its bright and cheery outlook, to the little tots who toddle under the ropes at the bedroom doors to do a little exploring for themselves.

   Of the thousands of people who have passed through, many have been weary home hunters, others just curious, and some interested in building their own homes have obtained new ideas and missed not the slightest detail. There are also study groups from some colleges, and last but not least, out of town visitors representing almost every State in the Union, as well as Canada, Australia, and a few from Europe. Some of these visitors have made long side trips just to see Greendale.

   What questions do they ask? The most frequent ones concern the rental, heating cost, home size, insulation, storm windows, screens, garden space, entrance requirements, and “when can I move in”.

   What is the general opinion of these visitors from far and near? Nothing but hearty approval and admiration for the homes, spacious yards, surrounding beauty, the fresh clean country air, and a touch of picturesqueness lending the finishing stroke to the “perfect little village”, as it has often been called.

   The home is open every day, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and a man from the Recreational Division of Works Progress Administration is on duty to show the home and answer questions.

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THE POST OFFICE

   The Greendale Post Office opened as a fourth class office on Dec. 16, 1938.

   Edward E. Bengs received his Postmaster commission on Dec. 1, from Postmaster General of the United States—Hon. James A. Farley.

   The following are some of the high lights of the Post Office history: 1576 pieces of mail were cancelled the first day that the Post Office was opened. This mail was dispatched to all four corners of the globe to stamp collectors; including South Africa, South America, Australia, Alaska, Russia, China, India, Japan and most of the European countries.

   To date the Greendale Post Office has issued 1234 money orders.

   Some “firsts” at the Post Office: first one to receive incoming mail, Mr. Sherwood Reeder; first stamp purchaser, Bob Schmelzer, 5708 Carnation Court; first money order issued to Bob Schmelzer; first lock box rented to Adam Tarnowski, 5591 Apricot Court; first resident to receive mail over new equipment was Eugene Schramm, 5917 Currant Lane.

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RURAL AREA

   On the Greendale project there are 14 dairy farms averaging 115 acres; the smallest approximately 75 and the largest 240 acres; 49 small units of 1 to 10 acres; 1 large poultry farm which can accommodate 1200 hens; 1 truck farm of 50 acres; 1 riding academy and 1 cattle feeding farm.

   The farms are under the supervision of Max Sievers, and are privately leased and operated.

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THE GUARDS

   During the course of construction work at Greendale a force of guards appointed by the Resettlement Administration patrolled the village and its rural area.

   This force grew from only a few until a peak of 32 was reached about 1937.

   Of these, all were dismissed, until at the present time only two remain. These are Warren Hale, now Fire Chief, and Norbert Miller, who were appointed by Sherwood Reeder when most of W. P. A. labor was finished here in July, 1938.

   The Sheriff’s Department maintained a patrolling service in Greendale until the incorporation of the village. Since then, the guards have satisfactorily taken care of the safety of the village.

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FIRST PORCH SCREEN

   Alfred A. Hasse of 5565 Angle Lane is Greendale’s first proud possessor of a screened-in-porch, which he has built from plans furnished by the Management office.

   Complete information on the probable cost of material and definite plans are available to all others interested in building their own screen porches. These can be obtained from either Walter E. Kroening, assistant manager, or Mr. Rostkowski, in the woodworking shop.

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NOTICE

   Screens will be delivered on Monday, May 8^th, to residents who have screens stored at the warehouse because of lack of storage space in their homes.

   Storm windows for storage will have to be securely bundled and tagged for pickup on the same day.

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NEW VILLAGE BUDGET SUBMITTED TO BOARD

   The Village Manager submitted to the Village Board at its regular meeting Wednesday evening his recommendations on the village budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1939. The budget, which totals $70,850, is subject to the approval of the Trustees either with or without change.

   In the letter of transmittal to the Board the manager said, “The first village budget which covered the period from November 1, 1938 (date of incorporation) to March 31, 1939 provided for only such items of expense as had to be immediately assumed by the village government. This budget contemplates the assumption by the village of all the functions normally performed by a village government but previously provided to Greendale through the Federal management set-up. The electric and water utilities will however, continue to be operated for the time being by the Farm Security Administration”.

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Next week – Firm refuses village direct telephone service.

Thanks to the Greendale Historical Society, for which I am a member, for providing the original newspapers.

Steve Peters