Hammond City Directories 1943, Part 2

Author: Hammond Public Library - SGL Local History Room
Publication date: 1943
Publisher: Polk City Directories
Number of Pages:

USA > Indiana > Lake County > Hammond > Hammond City Directories 1943 > Part 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WATER - The City of Hammond owns its water plant, the supply com- ing from Lake Michigan, and the rate being a graduated scale based on the amount used. Hammond has the low- est water rate of any city in this sec- tion of Indiana.

A $1,000,000 filtration plant, with ample storage capacity, guarantees a plentiful supply of the purest water for industrial and domestic use.

COMMUNICATIONS-Hammond is served by the Illinois Bell Telephone Co., the Western Union Telegraph Co. and the Postal Telegraph Co. It also has Radio Station WJOB, operating on 1,300 kilocycles.

Publishing and Printing

There are a number of printing es- tablishments in Hammond that have a national clientele. Much Chicago printing is handled in these plants. The plants are equipped with all mod- ern facilities for color printing, off- set work, bookbinding, and the print- ing and preparation of catalogs and mailing pieces.

There is one daily afternoon news- paper, The Hammond Times (Inde- pendent Republican), with a circula- tion of 31,315 (ABC report, March 31, 1943). It receives full Associated and United Press services, and serves the entire trading area.

Labor

Because of Hammond's location in the Calumet Region, there is a large supply of both skilled and unskilled labor. There is a good market for fe- male workers, because of the large number of male workers employed in the steel mills and heavy metal in- dustries where female labor is not employed.

With the exception of the building and printing trades, practically all in- dustries operate under the American plan, and Hammond is well known as an open-shop city. A few industries, such as oil refining, clothing, etc., employ union workers.

There have been no industrial dis- turbances over a number of years, and the general attitude of the city as a whole does not encourage labor troubles.

Housing and Living Costs

Hammond is the residential city for a number of the surrounding indus- trial cities that are unable to provide suitable housing of the better type and which have no expansion possi- bilities.

At the present time there is a shortage of homes, as is true in a majority of cities throughout the

country.

INTRODUCTION

Good homes can be rented, when available, at $25 per month and up, this depending entirely upon location and type of home desired.

Because of Hammond being in the Chicago area, prevailing living costs are about the same as in that city. Rentals, taxes and utility costs are cheaper.

Hammond is located adjacent to a superior garden and trucking area, immediately contiguous to the Michi- gan-Indiana fruit belt, and also is close to the large meat-packing oper- ations of the country, making these things available, with wide choice, and at reasonable prices.

Commercial Organizations

There are four commercial organi- zations giving direct service to the in- dustrial and commercial interests of the city.

The Hammond Chamber of Com- merce, the largest, composed of the representative professional and busi- ness concerns, is constantly promot- ing the general welfare of the city from a business standpoint and has a constructive program of activities.

The Hammond Safety Council, a di- vision of the Chamber of Commerce, has been successful in maintaining low insurance rates through its work in fire-prevention, public safety, etc. This division has received several awards in the Inter-Chamber Fire Waste Contests conducted by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce, with other organizations, is constantly ac- tive in a study of proposed budgets of the taxing units and has been a strong influence in maintaining a low tax rate. It has also given much at- tention to proposed legislation and has been successful in protecting the interests of the manufacturers in many legislative matters of a vital nature. The program of the Cham- ber of Commerce is a general one and always in the interest of the com- munity as a whole.

The Hammond Junior Chamber of Commerce has a representative group of young executives, actively inter- ested in civic affairs and making a splendid contribution to a number of war agencies.

The Manufacturers' Association is composed only of manufacturers. This organization deals entirely with matters affecting the interests of its membership.

The Hammond Merchants' Associa- tion, a division of the Chamber of Commerce, deals in subjects affect- ing the retail trade only. It devotes most of its efforts toward trade pro- motion, trade practices, etc.

The Hammond Credit Exchange is composed of a large number of re- tailers. This organization is solely for the purpose of giving confidential credit information.

Other organizations active in mat- ters in their particular fields of busi- ness activity are the Hammond Real Estate Board, the Lake County Un- derwriters' Association, the Calumet Region Auto Parts Association, etc.

Civic Organizations, Etc.

Most of the civic, and practically all of the fraternal organizations are represented in Hammond.

Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Opti- mists represent the civic luncheon clubs. Also there are the active Women's Club, League of Women Voters, American Legion Auxiliary, Parent-Teachers' Association and Business and Professional Women's Club.

All character-building and welfare work clears through the United Wel- fare Association, which conducts an annual drive for a fixed sum to pro- vide for these activities each year, thus relieving business organizations of solicitations more than once a year for these purposes.

Organizations which derive their support from this Association are: Bethany Children's Home

Boy Scouts Brooks House Calumet Goodwill Industries Carmelite Home for Boys Catholic Associated Charities General Relief Agency Girl Scouts

Hammond Fresh Air Camp Salvation Army

Young Women's Christian Associa- tion

Educational, Religious and Cultural Features

SCHOOLS - The Hammond school system consists of sixteen grade schools, three high schools, one Cath- olic high school and nine parochial schools, all of which are staffed with highly competent teachers and in- structors.

The Technical Vocational School is an important source of potential em- ployee-leadership and offers a train- ing course designed to fit young men to take their place in the industrial community.

There are two highly-rated private- ly-owned commercial schools, assur- ing an adequate supply of stenogra- phic and secretarial help.

For those desiring higher educa- tion, extension courses are provided from the University of Indiana, and engineering courses are given from Purdue University, oftentimes spe-

INTRODUCTION

cializing in such subjects as the heat- treatment of metals, electric welding, gas welding, and kindred subjects of particular interest to manufacturers.

Many Hammond residents avail themselves of the opportunity to take night courses at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.

CHURCHES-All denominations are represented in the religious life of Hammond-39 Protestant, 8 Catholic, 2 Jewish and 8 miscellaneous congre- gations.

LIBRARY-The Hammond Public Library has six branches, and will, with the cooperation of the indus- tries, establish a branch within an industry if the demand for library service justifies it. There are 100,000 volumes in the Hammond Library system.

Recreation

PARKS - Hammond is equipped with all types of wholesome recrea- tion. There are fourteen parks, with an acreage of 250, and a valuation of $1,750,000. These parks are equip- ped with tennis courts and play- grounds with attractive landscaping.

GOLF-There are five golf courses within a few minutes of town-Wood- mar Country Club, Wicker Park, Lan- sing Airport Course, Lake Hills, and Burnham Woods.

SWIMMING-There is swimming at modern pools in a number of the city parks. Numerous beaches are located in the Dunes territory and elsewhere within short distances of Hammond.

WICKER PARK -- Within a few miles of Hammond is the famous Wicker Memorial Park, which is one of the few township-owned public parks in the country. It has 235 acres. This park is equipped with an 18-hole public golf course, picnic fa- cilities, modern swimming pool, and other equipment which make it a popular place for company and or- ganization outings.

SCOUTING-For boys and girls of scouting age, there are active scout- ing troops in Hammond. Both or- ganizations maintain camps for Ham- mond boys and girls.

FOREST PRESERVES-Immediate- ly across the state line in Cook Coun- ty, providing bridle paths, trails and outing facilities, is one of the Illinois forest preserves.

Public Health

Hammond maintains an efficient health department under the direc- tion of a board of health of three members and in charge of a qualified physician, safeguarding the city against the spread of infectious and communicable diseases. The appro- priation of this department provides for free analysis of milk and water in a well-equipped laboratory, and also for a registered nurse.

Hospitals

There is one hospital, St. Margar- et's, operated by the Sisters of St. Francis, with a capacity of 260 beds. The hospital is fully equipped for surgery and for the proper care of patients.

WHITING

Form of Government-Mayor and council.

Population-10,307 (1940 U. S. Cen- sus).

Area-970 acres.

Altitude-585 feet above sea level. Climate-Mean annual tempera- ture, 49.2 degrees F .; average annual rainfall, 33.04 inches.

Parks-1, with 30 acres.

Assessed Valuation - $24,265,355, with 781/2c per $100 city tax rate and $2.96 per $100 total city and county tax rate.

Bonded Debt-None.

Financial Facts-3 banks, with to- tal deposits of $7,967,800 (Dec. 31, 1942), and total resources of $8,722,- 000 (Dec. 31, 1942). 1 building and loan association, with assets of $400,- 637.49 (Feb. 28, 1941).

Telephones in Service-2,985.

Churches-12, representing 6 de- nominations.

Industry-Chief industries of city: Standard Oil Co. of Indiana, employ- ing 4,600, producing a complete line of petroleum products; Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corp., employing 375, chief product, synthetic organic chemicals; Union Tank Car Co., em- ploying 200, leasing and maintenance of tank cars; Federated Metals Divi- sion, American Smelting & Refining Co., chief product, metals and metal alloys; Globe Roofing Products Co., employing 70, chief products, roofing products and siding.

Newspapers-1 weekly.

Hotels-1, with 66 rooms.

Amusements - Largest auditorium in city seats 1,200 persons. 2 moving- picture theatres, with total seating capacity of 2,200 persons.

Education-4 public schools, includ- ing 1 senior high and 1 junior high. 2 parochial schools, including 1 junior high. Number of pupils in public schools, 1,627; in parochial, 556. Num- ber of teachers in public schools, 70; in parochial, 17.

Public Libraries-1, with 23,317 vol- umes.

City Statistics-Total street mile- age, 13.5, nearly all paved. Daily av- erage pumpage of water works, 2,500,- 000 gallons; value of plant, $321,- 559.64. Fire department has 15 men, with 1 station and 3 pieces of motor equipment. Police department has 21

men, with 1 station and 4 pieces of motor equipment.

Location, Population, Etc.

LOCATION-Whiting is located in Lake County, the second largest county in Indiana, in the northwest corner of the state. It is seventeen miles from the center of Chicago, five miles north of the retail business dis- trict of Hammond, three miles west of Indiana Harbor, and ten miles west of Gary.

BOUNDARIES Whiting is 'bounded on the north by Lake Michigan; on the east by East Chicago, Indiana Harbor and Lake Michigan; on the south by Hammond and Lake George, and on the west by Hammond and Wolf Lake.

POPULATION-The population of Whiting was 10,307 according to the 1940 U. S. Census.

Government

Whiting is governed by a city coun- cil form of government. The admin- istration is headed by Mayor James T. McNamara. The administration is regarded as conservative in its aims and has proved satisfactory to the people of this city.

The heads of the departments of police and fire have been in office for the past several years and there is much evidence of the high efficiency of these protective agencies.

Taxation

The tax rate for Whiting for 1940 was $2.96 per $100 assessed valuation. This included city and county tax. The city tax is 781/2c per $100 as- sessed valuation.

There is no state sales tax in Indi- ana, and no occupational tax.

The assessed valuation of Whiting for 1940 was $24,265,355, an increase over the previous year of $2,000,000.

Transportation

Transportation facilities in Whit- ing offer direct or inter-connected fa- cilities with all parts of the U. S. Whiting is on three U. S. Highways: 12, 20 and 41. The New York Cen- tral and the Pennsylvania railroads furnish excellent suburban service to Chicago and Gary. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the E., J. & E. Railroad also maintain service sta- tions here.

INTRODUCTION

The Chicago & Calumet District Transit Co. operates a large fleet of the highest type motor coaches. Service is furnished between Whiting, Chicago, East Chicago, Indiana Har- bor, Hammond and Gary.

The Yellow Cab Co. of Whiting maintains regular Yellow Cabs and gives the usual high-type service af- forded by this system.

The American Railway Express Co. handles practically all express. In ad- dition, a number of the large transfer and express companies of the sur- rounding cities deliver here. There are several transfer companies doing business in Whiting.

In addition to the railroads men- tioned above, the E., J. & E. Railroad, the Indiana Harbor Belt Railway Co. and the Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal Co. operate freight service. Whiting is in the Chicago Switching District, and Chicago rates apply on all commodities.

Whiting is only a mile or two from the shipping canal in Indiana Har- bor, which provides easy accessibility for water transportation on the Great Lakes.

Public Utilities

ELECTRICITY-Electric energy is provided by the Northern Indiana Public Service Co., and the rates are comparable to those in other indus- trial communities.

GAS A high-grade gas also is fur- nished by the Northern Indiana Pub- lic Service Co. at reasonable rates.

COMMUNICATIONS - Whiting is served by the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and the Western Union Telegraph Co.

Labor

There is a large supply of both skilled and unskilled labor in Whit- ing. There have been no industrial disturbances over a number of years, and the general attitude of the city as a whole does not encourage labor troubles.

Housing and Living Costs

At the present time there is a short- age of homes, as is true in a majority of cities throughout the country. Good homes and apartments can be rented for reasonable amounts when available.

Whiting is located adjacent to a superior garden and trucking area, immediately contiguous to the Mich- igan-Indiana fruit belt, and also is close to the largest meat-packing op- erations in the country, making these things available with wide choice and at reasonable prices.

Commercial Organizations

There are several commercial or-

ganizations giving direct service to the industrial and commercial inter- ests of the city.

The Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce is composed of repre- sentatives from the industrial, busi- ness and professional groups. The organization gives careful considera- tion to legislative matters, cooperat- ing with the other local and state commercial, industrial and civic groups, with the result that the in- terests of all have been better served.

The program of this organization is a general one and always in the interest of the community and its in- habitants as a whole.

The Whiting Credit Bureau is com- posed of a number of retailers. This organization is solely for the purpose of giving confidential credit informa- tion.

Civic Organizations, Etc.

Whiting has a number of leading civic clubs, including the Business & Professional Women's Club, Lion's Club, Whiting Women's Club and Par- ent-Teachers' Association. Nearly all the fraternal organizations are rep- resented in Whiting.

All character-building and welfare work clears through the Whiting- Robertsdale Community Chest, which conducts an annual drive for a fixed sum to provide for these agencies each year. Organizations which de- rive their support from this Associa- tion are: Whiting Relief & Aid So- ciety, Whiting Boy Scouts, Whiting Girl Scouts, Whiting Community Service, Lake County T. B. Associa- tion, Carmelite Home for Boys and Carmelite Home for Girls.

Educational, Religious and Cultural Features

SCHOOLS-The Whiting school sys- tem consists of two grade schools and one junior and one senior high school. There are two parochial schools, one consisting of both grade school and junior high. All these schools are staffed with highly-competent teach- ers and instructors.

For those desiring higher educa- tion, extension courses are provided from the University of Indiana, and engineering courses are given from Purdue University in closely-located cities.

CHURCHES There are twelve churches in the city, representing six denominations.

LIBRARY-Whiting has one li- brary, with 23,317 volumes, furnish- ing adequate reading and reference material for the people. A branch of this library is located on the far south side of the city.

INTRODUCTION

Recreation

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS - Whiting has one park, Whiting Park. This park is equipped with bath house and playground equipment. It also has a baseball field, a· pistol range, a trapshooters' range, and one of the finest tennis courts in the Calumet District. There are five playgrounds for children. . At the Whiting Athletic Field there are also tennis courts, a running track and fields for base- ball and football.

SWIMMING-The Community Cen- ter and the Whiting Junior High School have two of the finest swim- ming pools that can be found any- where.

THEATRES-Whiting has two the- atres, with a total seating capacity

of 2,200 persons. These are the Hoos- ier and the Capitol. In addition, the auditorium in the Memorial Com- munity Center, with a seating ca- pacity of 1,200 persons, has some of the finest equipment obtainable.

SCOUTING For boys and girls of scouting age, there are active scout- ing troops in Whiting. Both organ- izations maintain summer camps.

Public Health

Whiting maintains an efficient health department under the direc- tion of a board of health of three members, and in charge of a quali- fied physician, safeguarding the city against the spread of infectious and communicable diseases.

Compiled by the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, 1941.

CALUMET CITY

"CITY OF HOMES"

(Courtesy Calumet City Association of Commerce)

Statistical Review

Population-1940 U. S. Census, 13,- 241; 1943 registration for rationing, 15,105.

Area-8.5 square miles.

Altitude-585 feet above sea level.

Climate - Mean annual tempera- ture, 49.2 degrees F .; average annual rainfall, 33.02 inches.

Parks-1 public and 2 forest pre- serves.

Assessed Valuation-$5,172,000.

Bonded Debt-None.

Churches-5, representing

4 de- nominations.

Real Estate - 3,000 homes, with about 80% owned by occupants.

Industry-Canning, bottling works, meat-packing, fertilizer works, chem- ical company and stock yards.

Trade Area-Retail area has radius of 2 miles, and population of 25,000. Railroads-10 trunk lines.

Highways-U. S. 6 and 330; State 58.

Airports-1, privately-owned.

Amusements - Largest auditorium in city seats 2,000 persons. 2 golf courses.

Education - 4 public schools, in- cluding 1 high. 3 parochial schools.

Public Libraries-1, with 3,000 vol- umes.

City Statistics-Number of water meters, 3,600; light meters, 5,200; gas meters, 5,200. Fire department has 6 men, with 1 station and 4 pieces of motor equipment. Police depart- ment has 9 men, with 1 station and 4 pieces of motor equipment.

General Review

This locality was first called West Hammond, later incorporated as the Village of West Hammond, still later

incorporated as the City of West Hammond, and in 1925 the name was changed to Calumet City. It is in Cook County, 2212 miles from the center of Chicago. It adjoins Chi- cago on the north, and Hammond on the east. Residents of Calumet City are 20 minutes' ride from 130 differ- ent industries of the Calumet Dis- trict. The city is free of industrial gases and therefore very desirable for residential purposes.

Joining Hammond and Chicago, Calumet City is served with the best of facilities. Theatres, banks, hos- pitals and churches of Hammond are closer to the whole population of Cal- umet City than to the people of Ham- mond. The north and west sides of the city have many desirable sites for industrial expansion and develop- ment. City improvements are avail- able in enough vacant property to double the population with new homes without additional facilities. For years Calumet City has drawn home-owners due to low taxes, fine water, good streets and tolerant mu- nicipal supervision of business.

Calumet City is served by three lo- cal bus companies, and is on the route of four transcontinental air lines, with an airport just outside the city limits.

Being a "City of Homes," Calumet City has stood out as a desirable lo- cation for residential purposes. Many business men who have their offices and industries across the line in Hammond and Chicago, reside in Cal- umet City. Most of the population resides within walking distance of the business center of Hammond. The city's liberal policies make it a de- sirable location for factories as well as homes. Property has a ready mar- ket in Calumet City.

"WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CITY"

"The helpful kind of patriotism is the kind that grows out of a knowledge of one's town, of her growth, her people, her property, her government and her needs. This knowledge develops, first, an intelligent interest; then, a sympathy; then a reasonable affection, a wise and temperate jealousy for her good name and a wish that she may prosper and grow more beautiful; and, finally, a desire to help her to become greater and finer, a bright and clean workshop and a home for the best of men and women."-John Cotton Dana.

POLK'S HAMMOND CITY DIRECTORY

Including Burnham and Calumet City, Illinois and Whiting, Indiana 1943

Miscellaneous Information

For information not found in this department see regular Alphabetical Section or under proper headings in the Classified Business Directory

GOVERNMENT

CITY City Hall 5933 Calumet av Officers

Mayor-G Bertram Smith

Treasurer-Mrs Dorothy P Wolfe

City Judge-Paul J Hawk City Clerk-James R Boland

Controller-Keller H Cochran

Attorney-Harry H Stilley

Engineer-Albert D Millard

Sealer of Weights and Measures-Clarence C Clifton

Chief of Police-Thos J Martinson

Chief of Fire Dept-Joseph J Scherer

Auditor of Water Dept-Anthony D Baker

Building Inspector-Lewis Hesgard Street Superintendent-Fred J Horst

City Electrician-L H Davis

Plumbing Inspector-John L Humphrey

Health Officer-Dr H C Groman

Supt of Parks-Dan J Brown Nurse-Victoria B Krawczyk

Councilmen First District-Wm Walsko

Second District-Wm M Meisel

Third District-Aug J Schuster

Fourth District-Evelyn Sweitzer Fifth District-Vernon C Anderson

Sixth District-Wm Watts

At Large-Danl W Bieker, Hugh D Stude- baker, Henry Delaney

Board of Health

R O Ostrowski pres, H C Groman health officer, Theodor J Smith and Robert Prior members

Board of Park Commissioners

Irving Chayken pres, Richd S McClaughry, Cecil Rock, James A Malo members Board of Examining Engineers Ralph E Wilder and Joseph P Kasper mem- bers, 307 City Hall

Board of Public Works and Safety

Harry H Stilley pres, Kellar H Cochran and Albert D Millard members, Almira M Jens clerk, 212 City Hall

Planning Commission

Aug J Schuster pres, James A Malo sec, Law- rence S Ervin, Fred Dedelow, Cecil L Rock, Dr Herman C Groman, Steven Zabrecky, Harry H Stilley members, 313 City Hall Board of Water Trustees Herman Scurfield pres, Chas O Schonert v- pres, Steven D Moskoff sec, Leonard W Rosene treas, Dr R O Ostrowski asst treas, Forrest E Gantenbein atty, Margt Tanger- man clerk 319 City Hall

Sanitary District Commissioners

Joseph E Haney pres, Albert D Millard and Leo Besozzi members, Anne Charles clerk, 313 City Hall

Zoning Board of Appeals

Harry H Stilley, Galen Cart members, James A Malo sec, 313 City Hall

Board of Education 5935 Hohman av Clarence A McVey pres, Columbus Smith treas, Claude C Sohl sec, Gerald A Gillett atty, Lee L Caldwell supt

Police Department Headquarters, 5933 Calumet av Robertsdale Station, 1732 Indianapolis Boulevard

Chief-Thos J Martinson

Judge-Hon Paul J Hawk

Fire Department Headquarters, 428-30 Truman blvd Chief-Joseph J Scherer

Asst Chiefs-Geo G Bader, Gerhard Schulte

Station No 1-428-30 Truman blvd

Engine Co No 1-Edw Olejniczak capt, Rudolph Hansen lieut

Truck Co No 1-Wm Tamm capt, Louis Wasserman lieut

Squad No 1-Asst Chiefs in charge

Station No 2-1732 Indianapolis blvd

Engine Co No 2-Herman A Lenz capt, Gus- tave E Fuss lieut

Truck Co No 2-Joseph M Kingston capt, James McKay lieut

Station No 3-4751 Calumet

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Hammond City Directories 1943, Part 2

Author: Hammond Public Library - SGL Local History Room Publication date: 1943 Publisher: Polk City Directories Number of Pages:

Author: Hammond Public Library - SGL Local History Room
Publication date: 1943
Publisher: Polk City Directories
Number of Pages: