Boy sought wig for dad in letters to Santa
By Mike Alft For The Courier-News December 7, 2012 10:26AM
MIKE ALFT
Updated: January 10, 2013 6:28AM
What was happening in Elgin during the month of December 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 years ago?
December 1912
For the first time in years there was no 10-day holiday shutdown at the watch factory. The prospect of uninterrupted pay checks brightened local retail sales.
The newly organized Elgin Motor Club, formed to improve road conditions, was attracting dozens of members.
There was an unusual request among the letters to Santa Claus printed in the Elgin Daily News. One boy wanted a wig for his father’s bald head.
December 1937
The foundation for Elgin’s new state armory at Gifford Place and Raymond Street was about completed.
More than 600 employees of the Elgin National Watch Co. signed up for a health insurance plan that paid for 21 days of hospital care per year in return for a premium of 86 cents per month.
A new J. C. Penney store, the first commercial building in downtown in many years, was opened on the southeast corner of DuPage Street and South Grove Avenue.
Elgin was host to the national convention of the Mink Breeders’ Association. More than 500 live mink were judged for awards, and a style show was filmed by a newsreel camera.
December 1962
Officials of the Northern Baptist College in Chicago took options on land along Highway 31 north of the city preparatory to establishing a campus for the new Judson College.
Sherman Hospital accepted bids to build a $3.9 million dollar addition.
December 1987
Schools were closed and traffic halted when the area was hit by more than 8 inches of snow. Later in the month a storm dropped another 8 inches.
December 2002
The city bought the property at 797 West Chicago Street for a new fire station. The price was $465,000.
