It was called Roseland, but to the people that lived there, and loved it there we called it ''BUMTOWN''. Born in 1927, went to St. Anthony's School on Kensington, graduated in 1941, got married at St. Anthony's in 1948. We had eight grades and eight classrooms, the Sisters of St. Joseph taught us. Ask any of my classmates if they remember Sister Norbert, a 5 foot bundle of dynamite, especially if she took you to the cloakroom, need I say more. How about the Verdi show for a nickel, with that you got candy bar, an old comic book, and on the right days, dishes. Next door Pat and Matt's for penny candy, even better when you snuck in. When you got older you went to the Penguin, watched the Friday night fights on TV, along with a couple of beers and hard boiled eggs. Maybe you were going to Palmer Park to play baseball, football, basketball, or in winter ice skating, and you all walked, because no one had a car, and you really did not need one, everything was right there. Michigan Ave. State, Parkway and Roseland shows. How about the Mocambo, SFBI, Kingsbury Club, Venetian Hall, Parise's, Peasavento's, Ken and Dick's, Turner Hall, Pocrons, Polish Home. Home Store, Peoples Store, Panetti's, Bernardi's Italian Wine and Cheese, Napoli's, DalSanto's, Rago's, Joe's Barbershop, Gagliano's. The best place to play sports, St. Anthony School Yard. Run into a basketball post or iron fence, or the merry-go-round base. The guys that played there know what I am talking about, the cinder fields, all that played there had cinders in their palms or knees. Remember Tuesday Nites at Palmer, every diamond was filled, I played with the KYMAC's, St. Anthony Holy Name, 16 inch, 14 inch, 12 inch, regular hard ball. I could never be able to put down all that I remember about Bumtown, because there was so much. There will NEVER be another. To any of my classmates from the class of 1941, I say hello and wish you all the best. As guys in my era would say see ya on the corner.

Hi My name is Phillip Sapienza, I was born in an attic at 142 e 116th street in the year 1927. Graduated from St. Anthony's in 1941, went to Tilden High, from there to US Navy. If any one remembers Itskis Junk Yard, my house was at the bottom of the hill and I lived on the third floor above Tony Peasavento's first floor. My Children all had their early years in "bumtown" as we called it back then and still do. There was and is only one BUMTOWN on this earth and we lived there and will allways remember it.

My father use to tell too much stories about Roseland 11337 s Forest ave.

Lived on 104th and Vernon, Bennett '66, Fenger '70.
The best place in the world to grow up!!!

Went to Willy's...we grew up in the best of times and in the best place!

Time passes so quickly that when I look back on all my years at Brennan and Fenger it was the "best" time of my life. We truly are apart of the "age" of the Fonz and "Happy Days". That was some of my best and happiest days of 'free" and "wonderful" experiences and friendships that I will never forget. Thank you and all the people who worked so hard to put this wonderful "history" together for all of us to share. Thanks to all of you, Pam

Grew up in Dolton but spent a lot of time in the early 60's, both at the BBQ Pit as a carhop and down the ave

love the memories

I grew up in Roseland--first in bum town and then on 126th and Michigan. If there are T-shirts I'd love to buy some. Thanks for this lovely post.

Best, Sharon

Those were great days

What a great site!

What great memories. I lived in West Pullman and loved growing up there. Things were so different in those times compared to now. My Dad worked at International Harvester West Pullman Works for over 42 years driving one of the dump trucks along with his brother and 2 other guys that were also brothers. Wish we could take it back.

So good to go back home!

Remembering the good old days were i grew up in Chicago, Ill. Roseland Community

Those were the good old dsys.

Grew up in West Pullman, able to attend the school, Fenger, of my choice, and loved to shop at Gately"s. A lot of water over the dam since then but I still remember.

I grew up in Roseland first on 107th&Indiana from 1960 to1970 then we moved to 112w114 th st.My sister went to Fenger and my brother Mendal hs.I went to van vlissingen,St.Nicks and then St.Louis before moving in 1975.This had to be the most perfect place to live the dimestore,gatleys,palmer pk,hobby shop and on .I still remember summer fogging and my sister and I running into the fog.The fire department opened the hydrants so we could keep cool.The sidewalk sale on the ave every July.Also the fireworks in the park and swimming at the park too.And gatleys you could write ten pages on that place,we got everything from school uniforms to grocerys.It was a city within a store.These were golden years and I am so gald I was a part of it.

Now 68 years old. Went to Bennett
Worked at Ingersoll Steel (Products) for 37 yrs
Wow

Would love to stroll through the old neighborhood. Bittersweet, I'm sure.

I lived at 11039 S. Edbrooke until I was 13, "down the hill" from "The Ave."I recall Dave's Market on the hill at 111th which later became Nino's Pizza, take out only. Also loved to hang out in Gateley's and watch the donuts go around. I moved to 564 E. 105th St and made the long trip to 'VV" for 8th grade to graduate rather than transfer to Poe. Graduated from Fenger Jan 1955. Bought a 1950 Pontiac Chieftan convertible, straight eight, black with red leather interior and cruised "The Ave." After 38 years in Tampa moved back "home" to Tinley Park.