11-05-2005
( Reply#: 181 ) |
Bill Bucko |
Very definitely, there was no Gibson nature preserve! It was just an ordinary, nondescript prairie, with some low trees toward the southeast end, that nobody ever visited and nobody gave a hoot about. I went there a few times in the early '60s to fire off model rockets. Never saw another soul there. It's only recently that somebody discovered some rare varmint or other living there.
To the north are another IHB freight yard, part of the massive Shell Oil Co. tank farm, and the (flammable) Grand Calumet River. To the south, houses. To the west, Kennedy Avenue. To the east, dunno, never ventured out that way.
I too recently found the nature preserves you mention, on my map, just over the Illinois state line. I too think there's a strong possibility that's where Shep and his buddies sneaked into picnics.
They're actually about FIVE miles from Shep's house.
Glad he mentions his bike. It was a great neighborhood for kids on bikes ... vacant lots on Kennedy Avenue with dirt trails through a jungle of weeds taller than your head ... and lots of alleys with treasure just waiting to be discovered, like busted motors, Bazooka Joe comics, empty pop bottles you could take back for the deposit, and once ... prize of prizes ... an Ovaltine seal lying right there, on the ground! (not far from Shep's house) ... which finally enabled me (from a non-Ovaltine-drinking family) to join Captain Midnight's Secret Squadron!!
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
11-21-2005
( Reply#: 201 ) |
m10bob |
Listened to another episode regarding the picnics, and apparently they were held in the winter as well. !!
(Shep mentions there was "no seasonal break" in the raiding of same!)
Uncle Carl used to come visit, and load Sheps' family in his Essex and take them on their own picnics "to the nature preserves(plural).
I think this pretty much clinches the spot located as it is actually 2 preserves, adjacent to one another............[:)]
In Hoc Agricula Conc
In Est Spittle Louk |
11-21-2005
( Reply#: 202 ) |
murdock |
which finally enabled me (from a non-Ovaltine-drinking family) to join Captain Midnight's Secret Squadron!!
[:)] I never liked Ovaltine either but purchased it to get into Captain Midnight's. Sheps Elgin bike was mentioned. Weren't bikes different in those days?[B)] My bike was fron Sears Roebuck it had fat tires and what looked like a gas tank on the cross bar.[:o)] |
11-21-2005
( Reply#: 203 ) |
m10bob |
Sheps Elgin bike was mentioned. Weren't bikes different in those days?[B)] My bike was fron Sears Roebuck it had fat tires and what looked like a gas tank on the cross bar.[:o)]
[/quote]
I believe the Sears bikes were called "J.C.Higgins", were'nt they ?
Yeah, bikes had great names like:Royce Union, Hercules,Huffy, Schwinn,Murray, etc.........
In Hoc Agricula Conc
In Est Spittle Louk |
11-22-2005
( Reply#: 204 ) |
murdock |
Yes, J C Higgins. It was red and had foot brakes. Remember the Ralieghs had those hand brakes and cables plus the weird shifter to change gears? Too much to go wrong for this kid who used my bike to go to ball park, friends or corner store. Although it happened then nothing like today, bikes were seldom stolen. Remember the bike in NYC that had been Kryptonite locked to a parking meter? All that remained as I remember was a bare rim.[8D] |
11-22-2005
( Reply#: 205 ) |
m10bob |
quote:
Originally posted by murdock
Yes, J C Higgins. It was red and had foot brakes. Remember the Ralieghs had those hand brakes and cables plus the weird shifter to change gears? Too much to go wrong for this kid who used my bike to go to ball park, friends or corner store. Although it happened then nothing like today, bikes were seldom stolen. Remember the bike in NYC that had been Kryptonite locked to a parking meter? All that remained as I remember was a bare rim.[8D]
LMAO !!!!!!!![:D]
In Hoc Agricula Conc
In Est Spittle Louk |
12-30-2005
( Reply#: 251 ) |
momcat2000 |
so, your talking about the Cook Co. Forest Preserves, right across the state line? |
