This blog is designed for the purposes of sharing memories, photos, and triva about the 'burb that time forgot: Burbank. Nope, not California. Burbank, Illinois. My hope is that, through this blog, I can recreate (with your help), the history of Burbank, but in order to do so, I'll need your help and suggestions. I'll especially need your photos, especially any photos of Burbank landmarks from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Occasionally, I'll drift to nearby cities where we Burbankians would shop, eat, or play.
Why am I doing this? I was born in 1965 at Christ Hospital (then Christ Community), lived up and down Harlem Avenue, but eventually settled in Burbank in 1971. I attended Maddock, Fry, and Kennedy; and then I attended Reavis. I moved away in 1983 to go to college, occasionally returning home for summers. Since most of the fiction I write is set in or around Burbank, I spend a lot of time talking to old friends and emailing with acquaintances about various places, and what I discovered was an intense nostalgia for Burbank (something I would never have imagined when I moved away twenty-five years ago).
So, welcome! And please join the fun.
38 comments:
This is great, John - I'm going to look through some old pics. I was
-Born at Christ in '67
-Lived around 77th and Major
-Attended Kennedy and Reavis
-Grandparents and cousins also lived in Burbank
A couple memories coming to mind:
-The 'Big Slide' near 87th and Harlem and the excellent italian beef stand adjoined to it
-The great bakery that used to exist on 79th and Lockwood
Hmmmm...I see a food theme developing!
I'd love to know if any1 has any pictures of the "Prairie" or trails behind the condos on 77th & Monitor. Any1 used to bike back there by the big swamp?
I have pics of the old Hansen Pool b4 it became Burbank Waterpark. I'll try to send those.
Any1 have pics of the Swamp/Prairie that was behind the condos on 77th & Monitor?
I have pics of Hansen Pool b4 it became Burbank WaterPark. I'll have to scan those in & share!
Oh the Sheridan! I remember all the Planet of the Apes movies along with Herbie the love bug & Benji films!!!!
Lived on 80th & Lockwood then 77th & Mobile. Went to Burbank School & Reavis. South Stickney Clinic- EEEWWW that smell! Too many memories :)
Prairie! My best Prairie memories are of the Prairie at 77th and Lavergne. I think we called it "Bird's Paradise" ??? We used it as a short cut to Ford City Shopping Center. There was a huge hill in the middle and a lot of swamp water around it. It was scary to walk through there when we were young cause there were often older kinds hanging out in there smoking pot. Anyone remember that prairie?
John,
This is great! My parents still live in Burbank and have been there since 1958. I grew up down the street from the firehouse on
79th street. Hopefully, they have some early pictures of Burbank I can send you. Does anybody know if that ratty looking hotel on 79th street (Caesers Inn) is still there? I always remember it being there, but I never knew one person that actually stayed there.
To Anonymous;
The ratty hotel affectionately known as Caesar's Inn was borded up last I saw. I used to work there in the 80's and an Asian gentleman with suspect taste took over and re-decorated, it went down hill from there on. Did you know the Ms. Illinois pagent was hosted there at the pool? Caesar's was also a retirement home for some elderlys. I used to deliver room service for shiny nickels.
The sheridan, planet of the apes, herbie the love bug, smokey & the bandit, death race 2000! I remember the old A&P and don't forget Robert Hall Village! Ford City theater would take soda caps as part of the payment for the show, oh the memories!
Thinking of my youth in Burbank makes me alternately nostalgic and suicidal. Like recalling the warmth of a K-Mart polyester blanket soaked in kerosene and Coors. Nobody understands the weltschmerz of a blue collar south sider. Rock on.
I remember that Prairie shortcut to Ford City near Lavergne. God only knows how many people fooled around back there & to think I was a youngster walking thru there w/ another girlfriend my age (10?) is quite scary. The railroad tracks cut thru there, too. If anyone was smoking stuff, I was too young to know.
I also remember biking thru the prairie. To think there's a whole sterile subdivision on top of all the swamp water is sad. I miss the cattails and nature in Burbank.
Hi John,
I went to Dulles (now Liberty Junior High) and also attended Reavis. Graduated in 1982. My daughter won your book, "The Story of Ralph" from Prairie Trails and I have yet to get my hands on it and read it. I remember fondly all the things you reminisced about, and my favorite arcade game was space invaders and pinball games. When I ran out of quarters I would search endlessly and beg for more like a crack addict going into withdrawal. I used to bowl every Saturday morning at Ford City lanes. Following in my footsteps my daughter went to Liberty Junior High and now goes to Reavis....and I relive those memories over and over again. I was a total band geek and so is she. I remember when they tore down the Sheridan and built "Auchan"...that French supermarket and thought it was the most stupid idea. The State Road pool didn't have a slide back then but I remember always walking over the bridge to get there. I was a fat kid back then too so I hated going to the pool. Good luck on getting more information from people, and if I think of anything else I'll let you know.
One of my favorite memories was going to the pet shop at 79th and Naragansitt and stealing the baby turtles (before it became illegal to sell them that small) and selling them to other kids in the neighborhood. Another favorite memory is of the prairie down the block from my house at 77th and Neenah and the ballfield we hacked out and the many hours each day playing baseball or army. I remember it being called the army camp because there was a Nike misslie sight there in the late fifties and early sixties.
In the 50's my Uncle & Aunt Bulow owned a resturant on 79th and Central. The name was The Wagon Wheel. There is a cigarette shop in that spot now. They sold Frozen Custard, and very good meals. There was just a counter, no tables. Cole Talor Bank is where their home use to be. 79th st. was 2 lanes. When my family would go to the Browns Chicken on 79th and Harlem I felt like I was way out west!! Prairies all over, I lived in Oak Lawn ( now don't put me down). I'm really having a good time reading about the past. My husband live in Burbank, he would sent fire to the double deckor sign that was near his home, 83rd and State Road. Him and some pals would also dig tunnels in the prairie that was at the end of
83rd st. This is great, thinking back of the good old days. Janet B
gDukes, Burbank Records, Marquette Park, Playland, Kojaks (Church's Chicken), Danny's Deli, 7Day, the resevoir, Nick's Fruit Stand, a pet store at 79th & Narragansett --they are all coming back to me. Even the creepy guys who sold me cigarettes at the Texaco on 79th & ~Austin. I like your idea of piecing it together. Best of luck!
John-
You're right about Henry's, and Kojak used to be Church's Fried Chicken. I remember "Pepsi Panorama" at the Studio Theater in Chicago Ridge (where the Mall now is). Also sledding down the big hill at the 87th Street reservoir. Was born at Christ too, grew up on 85th Place between Long and Linder (where I still call home....OMG......on those few days per month I AM home). Went to Burbank, then Reavis...graduated '80. Will be home again in a week....think I'll hit Duke's....just for nostalgia.
Playland! As a kid, the best amusement park in the world! What a treat to go there. They had flying boats that you sat in and they had sales that you would turn to make your boat go up higher as the boats spun around in a circle! My fondest memory.
Marquette Park - "cruisin" in an old Chevy Impala with all my friends, smoking cigarettes! Blasting music!
What was the cross street for Ceasar's Inn? I think I walked there every day and played a Pac Man game in the lobby. We attahced a quarter to some fishing line and would work it just right to ring up a hundred credits and play for hours.
I was born at Christ also but in 1972. I grew up on 77th and Natoma and loved there for 22 years. My little sister is typing this and loved your story. She grew up in the same house, have the same memories and was born in 1976. We used to go sledding in the resevoir on 77th between Neenah and Nashville. We used to slide under the fence. We also hid when the Cook County police showed up (Burbank police was established in 1981). We were never caught. We were at the State Road pool when they gave away the Fantastic Plastic Cards. We have since moved away but we share fond memories of our childhood in Burbank. Before there was Kojaks we had Corkys on 79th and Naragansett. Before Durbins it was the Glass Bar and Jone's Junction. The sit-n-sip tap is now Frank's Place. We both went to the Castle before we turned 21. Everybody knows that the Sayre Lounge was the only bar in town that never changed its name.
Does anyone remember Ford City Bank? It used to be Cole Taylor and if I remember it was located as a drive-up only by Ford City Mall. They had a mascot that was printed on T-shirts. I think eveyone in Burbank had those T-shirts that sported the mascot with the football shaped head and the big nose.
Anyway, I thank you for this blog. I grew up in Burbank and have since moved to Schaumburg. Burbank had way more character.
I went to Owens, Kennedy and Reavis so I have many memories of Burbank! This blog is great. My first bank account was at Ford City Bank. I had a few of those "Open 7 days a week" Ford City Bank tshirts. It was a wierd orangish yellow color with a big red 7 on the front of it. Spent many happy summer afternoons at Hansen pool...getting the pool pass was a highlight of the summers. When my family went out for a dinner we often went to Georgios. Kojaks was the pick for fast food. My fav was the polish with everything and fries. The fries were so greasy that the little white bag was covered in grease by the time you carried it home...but they were SO good.
I also remember Peacock Alley being the coolest place on earth. Every Saturday afternoon, after bowling at Ford City Lanes, my friend and I would always go to the Nickelodeon and have sausage pizza and a cherry coke. Back then they used REAL cherry juice. It also had a huge clown at the entrance that would inflate and deflate which was both cool and creepy all at the same time.
Burbank Sports....
My father still owns Burbank Sports located on 79th Street. Everyone bought their Reavis High School jacket there. All the sewing on the jackets is still done by my mother. It was originally located next store to the Purple Martin gas station and Traveland. Traveland sold so the new "Speedway" gas station could be built.
Enjoyed reading all the history of Burbank. Still live in Burbank. My oldest son is going to Reavis and is the starting quarterback on the Freshman team. Hopefully he can bring home a state championship when he's a senior. I graduated from Reavis in 1981 when the Rams lost with less than 2 minutes in the game at State!
Hi I lived in Burbank for 17 years. I know I have a picture of the old school that used to be where the "big bank" on State Road and 79th. Did anyone know that Lawn Funeral Home on Linder used to be a lumber yard. I'll get back to you soon.
Born in 1965, lived on Long ave went to Kennedy then Reavis, who remembers the Pink House on the end of Long, Rice Park, Kojaks,
Goldbatts,Red Barn, how about Mr.Mika & Ms.Duffy from Kennedy.
A Burbank memory that will always literaly haunt me is Krugers prarie and old lady Krugars house. She was nice enough of an old lady but she had this freaky habbit of building as she called them "Shines" to people who died . They looked like tomb stones and her yard looked like a cemetary. I also see the name Bulow mentioned. I have pictures of Bulows and braaash in front of the old Tobin school on 79 th and state road in 1932. I see some one said they lived at 77 th and natoma.. I live around there now. I grew up in front of the harrold E. Hansom poool and remmeber when the park was a parie with a big swamp in the middle. i remember the pool being built in 1970 and going the first day ..it rained..
I was down on the southside today, and drove through Burbank on my way back to midway to take the train back up northside where I live now. Made me a little nostalgic haven't been down there in a while.
They tore down that title and loans that was next to Durbins, I think last time I was down there it was still standing.
Wow, John, you went to Maddock too? I was born in 1970, went to Maddock, and then Reavis (class of '88). Lived around 79th & Oak Park.
Lots of memories on this blog spot of yours. Thanks for doing this!
I remember sneaking into the Hansen pool on summer nights and swimming quietly untill dawn some nights. The secret was not to be loud. One time County came and pulled in the lot Me and my friends stoped swimming and hid behind the building untill they left then continued...GOOD TIMES...( remeber yelling "COUNTY" when we was doin bad stuff and everone would run)
Does anyone remember Ford City Bank? It used to be Cole Taylor and if I remember it was located as a drive-up only by Ford City Mall. They had a mascot that was printed on T-shirts. I think eveyone in Burbank had those T-shirts that sported the mascot with the football shaped head and the big nose.
Er, that mascot was Jack Wheeler, the then-president of Ford City Bank. You're right about so many people having them. After they wore out, they were great for washing the car.
John,
Thanks for posting this and Sherry, thanks for sharing the link with me.
I was born in 65 as well but grew up in Chicago, right across from Ford City. I had tons of friends in Burbank and I can remember my brothers taking me through "lost continent" to get to his girlfriends house (now his wife of 30+ years).
As if Facebook doesn't have me glued to the computer enough, now this! Thank you!!!!! Keep it coming!
I remember being a kid and not being able to cross Cicero Ave to get to Ford City. My friend and I discovered a loop-hole. There was this crummy overpass that was full of potholes that ran over Cicero around 7600 south. The bridge long gone, was barely used by cars because it was so terrible, but it was our way to cross Cicero Ave. There is a similar bridge that still stands at 7600 south on Pulaski! ET PHONE HOME! saw it many times there!
Does anyone remember Jozo's? Or when Adams Pharmacy became Coneheads Ice Cream parlor and Burbank kids were introduced to Pacman, Centipede and Donkey Kong? It was right next to Carmens, where I got my hair cut. How about that blue brick building called Milk-N-Things? There was a very large woman there behind the counter. I remember it all!
I grew up in Bridgeview on Olympic Drive behind the old Dominicks. My grandparents lived in Burbank at the house on the corner of 81st and Narragansett. I'd always go to Burbank Records and that crazy owner would be there, (a white guy with an afro). I loved the malts at that little fast food place at 79th and Narragansett. Playland Park in Justice (or Willow Springs at it was when it was unincorporated) was my favorite place to have fun. I have a photo of the park taken in 1969 and there is even a Facebook page for fans of Playland in Justice.
I think i went to reavis with you john? I remeber all of the stuff, great town back then, I remember queen of peace girls wearing those short skirts. I also remember cook county sheriff, you could always tell they theywere around buy the 2 red lights on top of the car. Also not to bring anyone down but if anyone remembers william (bill) kontrimas he passed away 2-5-11.
The train shop / Hobby store off of 79th and Central, "Mays" grocery store, the little food and lottery ticket store owned by the Hennesy's that was on the corner of 79th and State Rd.
I was born in 1963, and lived in Burbank from 1973 - 1998. I went to Owens (now the Burbank Police Station), Kennedy, then Reavis. I graduated Reavis in '81. I also remember the summer festivals by St. Lawrence High School when I was in my mid-twenties....they quit doing those I think?? Good times back int he Burbank days!!! Great Blog!!
Gregg O.
I remember going to Playland quite a few times. I went to Maddock, Dulles and Reavis, but left Burbank in 1977. I would have graduated from Reavis in 1980. We lived on 82nd place, right off of Meade. I spent lots of time in the park by my house playing tennis and swimming. I remember going to a Hush Puppy shoe store for shoes and eating at Georgio's, which was one of my favorites. I also remember the prarie land on Sayre Avenue, across from my aunt's. I used to play there and bring home cattails. The big hill at the 87th St. reservoir was one of my favorites also. I also remember riding my bike to the White Hen Pantry on 79th near Sayre Avenue. I still have family in Oak Lawn and do ventire into Burbank,but it's not quite the same.
Does any one remember the old long red spooky building on State Road
near the 79Th Street intersection, I was told it was a road house in the 1930s. The bakery that was mentioned
was Fowlers at 79th & Lockwood, you could always smell the bread baking
in the morning & Mays Midwest was across the street. I grew up at 77th
& Latrobe, went to Owens & graduated from Reavis in 65. Hobos from the railroad yard hung out in Birds paradise.
In 1954 when I was 4 years old, my family moved to 8142 S. Melvina Avenue in what was then called South Stickney. Melvina only ran from 81st Street and to the south. It was all prairie east of Melvina, but this area built up around 1961. St. Albert the Great Church was the brick building that now houses their offices (the big church was built in the mid-1960s). There was no kindergarten; I started 1st grade at “Little Tobin School” which was in the triangle of State Road, Central Avenue and 79th Street. They tore it down and built a bank there in the 1970s. I was in their last 1st grade class because in January 1957, they closed it and opened Fry Grammar School, so I was in Fry’s first 1st grade class. I was transferred to “Big Tobin School” for 2nd through the first half of 5th grade, then in January 1961 I transferred to the newly finished Dulles Grammar School (now Liberty Junior High School). I would have graduated from Dulles but we moved to the Berwyn area in 1963.
In 1961, I watched them build the Sheridan Drive-In Theatre and watched them tear it down in 1986.
In 1967, the Great Tornado struck Oak Lawn, and a few months later, we came by to visit some old friends. My old best friend living on Merrimac actually saw the tornado from his house. Melvina was finally extended all the way to 79th Street and all of the prairie was gone with new houses. On April 4, 1970, South Stickney became the city of Burbank.
I now live in Downers Grove, but the area I live in bears a slight resemblance to Burbank when I was growing up there.
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