Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge... We're all connected.

I have been chatting with Bill Savage over the past few days about the concept behind uniting our three communities of Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge with Word 49. The conversation continued onto the pages of everyblock chicago with the following:

...And lots of folks who have lived west of Ridge all their lives call it West Rogers Park. It's a losing battle, not worth fighting, especially since contiguous neighborhoods can be considered the same place; if this story was about gang rivalries in Englewood, it would be much less relevant to RPers, but WR isn't 15 miles away, it's right next door.

Bill Savage goes on to mention:

Check out Bill Morton's new site, which covers WR, RP and Edgewater. Our problems don't magically stop at Devon or Ridge or the city limits; we're all connected, like it or not.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Saint Henry's Church

Saint Henry's Church

updated 9:05 PM CST, Weds April 4, 2012

Saint Henry Church, at 6346 North Ridge, became Angel Guardian Croatian Catholic Church in 1982, after the disused church was renovated by the Angel Guardian Croatian Catholic Mission. In 1998, it was renamed Blessed Aloysius Stepinac Parish. Saint Henry Cemetery is on the north side of the church, at the corner of Devon and Ridge.

Source: Graveyards.com, Additional photos at the Graveyards Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery feature and Word 49: Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery.

St. Henry's Church

A.D. 1905.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery

updated 6:06 PM CST, Weds April 4, 2012

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery is the only surviving churchyard (that is, a graveyard adjacent to and affiliated with a church) within the city of Chicago. Located in the West Ridge neighborhood on the far north side, the church, erected 1905, is a neo-Gothic structure, clad in brick with ornamentation of limestone and bronze. Originally serving the German Catholic community, as the population changed, it was given to a Croatian parish in the 1970s. Local legend has it that "Sailor Jack", the boy on the "Cracker Jack" box, is buried here, though various identities are given for him. I have not yet found definitive proof of this.

Source: Graveyards.com, Additional photos at the Graveyards Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery feature.

Saint Henry Catholic Cemetery office located at Calvary Cemetery 301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois (847) 864-3050

Office hours 8:30am - 4:00pm Mon-Fri
9:30am-1:00pm Saturday


Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Fresh Start a Success in Rogers Park

Fresh Start Mondays a Success!

By Bill Morton, Rogers Park in 1,000 Words Author
Photography by Kris Luck

updated 8:52 PM CST, Mon April 2, 2012

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce's new Fresh Start Program titled "Fresh Start Mondays" had it's first event earlier today. The fresh start is in reference to refreshing the cleanliness and safety of our community. Neighbors gathered to pick up litter and trash including broken glass, fast food wrappers and discarded cigarette butts at 7315 N. Sheridan Road.

The location was selected due to regular complaints that the chamber of commerce received regarding the neglected property and it's close proximity to local businesses Quest Network Services, Sheridan Beach Foods and The Lighthouse Tavern at 7301 N. Sheridan Road.

Fresh Start Mondays are scheduled for every first and third Monday of the month, all year long. You can join the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce in freshening Rogers Park up!... for a cleaner and safer neighborhood with less litter, debris and contaminants on our sidewalks, streets and beaches.

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Philip Rogers

Added photos of the Philip Rogers memorial stone and Indian Boundary Park Lagoon today with the following information:

Philip Rogers, Born in Ireland, came to Rogers Park about 1834 and bought 1600 acres from the government. First lived in a log house at Lunt and Western Avenues. Died in 1856. Village named after him in 1844.

Indian Boundary Park Lagoon is an urban oasis for people and a safe haven for wildlife, this natural area offers a restful place in the city. The prairie, trees and wetland areas surrounding the lagoon have been restored with plant species native to Illinois.

Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge

Events in Ward 49

I added the new Fresh Start Monday events to the Word 49 calendar:

Every first and third Monday of the month, join the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce in freshening Rogers Park up! Benefits local businesses through a cleaner and safer neighborhood with less litter, debris and contaminants on our sidewalks, streets and beaches. Think tourism. Neighborhood cleanup lasts one hour and snacks will be provided. Working together to Clean Up Rogers Park!

Also added eleven April 2012 events at The Lighthouse Tavern (7301 N. Sheridan Road Chicago, IL. 60626).

Check out the Events section for more details.

Bill Morton

Word 49 - The Word on Edgewater, Rogers Park and West Ridge