Calumet City History

Calumet City Centennial. From pioneers to pickles: Cal City's
LAURA ZAKROCZYMSKI

CALUMET CITY - Years ago, some children who attended the former Sandridge Elementary School believed their classrooms were built on a Native American burial ground. They weren't far off.
Before Calumet City was settled by European pioneers, nomadic Native Americans inhabited the areas that are now home to Dirksen Middle School and the River Oaks Center. In 1962, construction crews unearthed hammer stones, blades, flint-like quartz pebbles and arrowheads in the Shabbonna Woods area, west of Torrence Avenue and in adjacent Green Lake Woods.
The name "Calumet" comes from the Native American word "Kalamick," which referred to the Little Calumet watershed. The first inhabitants relied on the Little Calumet River to fish and trap waterfowl, muskrats and minks.
The real Calumet City is a far cry from the John Belushi's cinematic home in "The Blues Brothers." The history of Calumet City is the story of pioneers and farmers who settled close enough to a port city for water transport and supplies, but distant enough to escape its congestion and problems.
Calumet City's first resident was Hans Johann Schrum, a German immigrant who arrived here in 1863 - the height of the U.S. Civil War. Schrum and his wife, the former Louise Schuringa, amassed ownership of 275 acres between what is now State Line Road and the Little Calumet River at a price of $17 an acre - a significant amount of money in those days. Their land holdings eventually blossomed to more than 600 acres.
The Schrum family counted maple syrup and potatoes among its crops, and also operated the Calumet Dairy and the Calumet Pickle Works. Their milk delivery service charged a nickel a quart. The profitable pickle business sent delivery trucks to Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting and all parts of Calumet City with shipments of pickles and hot dog condiments that included relish, peppers, horseradish and ketchup. The family businesses brought wealth to the Schrums and attracted other families to the area.
An influx of German Lutherans arrived in what was then known as Sobieski Park in the early 1880s. A house to live in was easy enough to erect, but a house of prayer was notably absent from the fledgling suburb. The creation of St. John's Lutheran Church was first suggested by a congregation of 11 men on Dec. 9, 1888. By August 1891, the church was dedicated and an accompanying school was giving students a parochial education - which included instruction in German.
Polish pioneers settled south of the German enclave after 1885. The first Catholic Mass was celebrated at the newly built St. Andrew the Apostle Church on Feb. 25, 1892. The church was rebuilt after a tornado swept through that same year, and was rebuilt again in 1918 when a devastating fire struck.
In January 1893, residents of the area then known as West Hammond took the final steps necessary for incorporation under Illinois law - but the name Calumet City was not formally adopted until 1924.
Calumet City grew rapidly with a diverse ethnic mix. During and after World War II, Irish, Polish and Italian families began moving into town in increasing numbers.
Though the population was steadily increasing, the city lacked needed infrastructure such as sidewalks and paved sidestreets into the mid-1900s. In 1910, the population was pegged at 4,948. By 1960, fully 20,000 more residents had arrived and houses were being sold for $18,000. Employment was available at numerous factories within a short drive, including Standard Oil (now Amoco), the Pullman Standard Car Co., American Maize products, and the sprawling steel works in East Chicago and Gary.
The "City of Homes" had become a place to live, work, worship and raise families. But of all the aspects of Calumet City's rich history, perhaps the most striking is not found with Native Americans or pickle entrepreneurs. To current residents, the most remarkable fact is that people used to swim in the Little Calumet River.

St. Andrew the Apostle Church

St. Andrew the Apostle melds faith, community.
LILLIAN WARD

CALUMET CITY - Some churches in the south suburbs have been standing for 100 years, giving the residents they serve double reason to celebrate as they anticipate their town's centennial. .
In February 1892, in what was then called West Hammond and Sobieski Park, Ill. and now called Calumet City, a new parish was created on 48 donated lots under the name of St. Andrew the Apostle, not too far from the Illinois/Indiana state line.
Rev. Francis M. Wojtalewicz was appointed first pastor of the small congregation, originally made up of only seven families. Others who had bought lots in the area still lived in Chicago.
The first frame church constructed in March of 1892 was leveled in a tornado three months later. In October of that same year, work was begun on a new brick building and at Christmas time in 1892, parishioners attended the first mass.
By 1901, a rectory and school house had been built and Sisters of St. Francis of Lafayette, Ind. were installed to teach almost 80 grade students.
However, the next two years saw an exodus of 200 parish members, half the total enrollment, who worked in Chicago packing plants and wanted to merge with other large corporations.
During its 100 years existence, many dedicated pastors have served at St. Andrews. Of that number, a few are remembered like the Reverends' Victor Zalewski, Francis Bygier, A. Koytek, F. Frange and S. Koralewski.
Today's pastor, Father Edward Jarzynski, assisted by Father Michael Alcantara, leads the flock of nearly 1,900 families with 380 grade school children enrolled. Robert Banet serves the parish as Deacon and three Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sister Danielle, Sister Carmen and Sister Virginette , who also serves as principal, are on staff.
St. Andrew the Apostle Church has diversed ethnicity among its people such as Polish, German, African-American, Italian, Hispanic and White.
A centennial committee has planned activities throughout the summer and ending in November 1992 with a solemn mass of conclusion, where Joseph Cardinal Bernardin will preside.
Father Jarzynski said he is proud of St. Andrew's past, and looking forward to the next 100 years. "Yes, we're very cosmopolitan at St. Andrews. We've developed and expanded all along and now, with the help of the God Lord, the parish has a bright out look for the years to come, despite continuing inflation."

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