Growing up in the 1930s and ‘40s in Harvey, Illinois, Elaine Wolf Egdorf didn’t love history. There was no History Channel — and, as she readily admits, she wasn’t much interested in the past. But over time, one project after another, her devotion to service, community, and family led her[Read More…]
Tag: Homewood history
If walls could talk: Two volunteers help preserve Homewood’s history
“If walls could talk” is a familiar phrase that suggests buildings bear silent witness to the lives unfolding within them. In Homewood, thanks to local history advocates and volunteers, the walls of the 1891 Dorband-Howe House at 2305 W. 183rd Street are telling the vibrant story of Homewood’s past to[Read More…]
Some of golf’s greats have played the Calumet Country Club course
Calumet Country Club clubhouse as it appeared in 1917, when the club relocated to Homewood.
Fatal accidents spurred railroad to build Dixie Highway viaduct
Deadly traffic accidents in the early years of the last century served as the catalyst for the decision to eliminate all grade rail crossings along the Illinois Central line between downtown Chicago and Matteson-Richton.
Homewood celebrates the season with two events, more art and artisans
Homewood’s holiday celebration will offer a pair of opportunities for the community to come together and celebrate the season.Holiday Lights festivities will run from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, and Miracle on Martin Avenue will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15.
Brawls, bucket brigades showed need for police, fire services
The village of Homewood is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its incorporation this year. This is the third in a series of articles that shed a little light on life and times in the village’s early years. In this article, local historician Jim Wright looks at the founding of the[Read More…]
Homewood’s early years: The village begins to grow up
After Homewood was incorporated in February 1893, the village board debated for months on the details of construction of a village hall. There was little debate, however, when it came to the question of sidewalks and other improvements.
Feb. 11 is 125th anniversary of Homewood’s incorporation
Although settled in the 1830’s, it took almost 60 years for the area that would eventually become Homewood to officially form a village government. That milestone was reached on Feb. 11, 1893, and so Homewood is celebrating its 125th birthday this year.
New photo history of Homewood goes on sale
Homewood historian Jim Wright’s latest book, “Homewood,” went on sale Friday, Dec. 1, at several sites in the village, and the timing was not accidental. Wright said he hopes holiday shopping helps boost sales, but the book also arrived just a few weeks before Homewood’s 125th anniversary year begins.
Homewood was part of historic nuclear confrontation
“Thirteen Days in October,” a 2000 Kevin Costner movie, chronicled the events in the Kennedy White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During the “thirteen days,” Oct. 16-28, 1962, the world came as close to the brink of nuclear war as anytime before or since. Tensions were high throughout the[Read More…]


