Tag Archives: Laurie Starrett

The Big Snow of '67, WHS Object ID 1988.3002.06

Blizzard of ‘67

Gazette Article by: Laurie Starrett Appeared in the Gazette: Winter 1997 It began to snow on January 26, 1967, and continued for more than 24 hours. Catching Winnetkans by surprise, the storm eventually buried the village under a record-breaking 23 inches. It seemed so harmless when it started. Tom Hermes remembers, “At breakfast on Thursday […]

Herbert L. Woolhiser

Gazette Article by:Laurie Starrett Appeared in the Gazette: Fall 2000 A valuable and beloved citizen Tucked away on the bluff above Tower Road Beach in the northeast corner near the picnic area is a small wildlife and bird sanctuary, consisting of a trickling pool surrounded by flagstones nestled in trees and spring blooming wildflowers. This […]

Is the Stern of the Lady Elgin Just Off Spruce Street?

Gazette Article by: Laurie Starrett Appeared in the Gazette: Fall 1997 On a stormy September night 137 years ago, the sidewheel steamer Lady Elgin met her doom off the north shore of Chicago. She sank after being rammed by the schooner Augusta. Passengers and pieces of the ship were carried by wind and waves to […]

“G” is for Green Bay Trail

Gazette Article by Laurie Starrett, Winter 1996 When you stroll along the Green Bay Trail in Winnetka, you are not actually walking on the original Green Bay Trail. Today’s route is a hiking and biking path that extends nine and one-half miles from Wilmette to Highland Park. In Winnetka it runs alongside the METRA tracks on […]

“M” is for Museum

Gazette Article by: Laurie Starrett Appeared in the Gazette: Summer 1998 Several years ago when the Minnesota Historical Society reopened its exhibit area, a unique approach was taken to interpret its history from “A to Z.” Various objects and topics were depicted by “letters,” and visitors moved through the gallery “alphabetically.” The editorial board of […]

“P” is for Power Plant

Gazette Article by Laurie Starrett, Spring 1999 Updated 2022 The beginning of the twentieth century brought a wondrous innovation to the village of Winnetka: electricity. In 1900 the municipal electric plant was built, joining the waterworks at the foot of Tower Road. William Hadley, founder of the Hadley School for the Blind (now the Hadley Institute), […]

Volunteer of Distinction: Penny Kohlmeyer

Gazette Article by: Laurie Starrett Appeared in the Gazette: Summer 1999 If you strive for excellence – with talent, intelligence and a lot of hard work, you may achieve your goal. For the past six years Penny Kohlmeyer has exemplified excellence as editor of the Winnetka Historical Society Gazette. It is with regret that we […]

Society Celebrates 65 Years

Gazette Article by Laurie Starrett Appeared in the Gazette: Summer 1997 Sixty-five years ago, in 1932, Dr. James O. Ely invited a small group of Winnetka “old-timers” to organize the Winnetka Historical Society. The group—whose annual dues were $1.00 per year per family—attracted immediate interest. According to founding member Frank Windes, membership was open to […]