Looking Back to 1941: Air Raid Sirens in DeKalb

From the January 4, 2017, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"An ingenious scheme is being tried out to give DeKalb siren warnings for blackouts.  Phonograph records are being made from a siren on a fire truck at the fire station.

"The records will be used on public address loudspeaker systems mounted on high spots in the city.  The plan saves the city the cost of buying huge sirens as is being done in many larger cities."

Save a Buck Here, Save a Buck There.  --GreGen

Looking Back to 1941: Local Airport Now Under Guard

From the January 4, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) :"Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"Following orders of the federal government, a 24-hour a day armed guard is now on duty at the Waterman Airport, it was announced this morning by Spencer Mack, operator of the establishment.

"Armed guards are also on duty at the government weather bulletin station, which is situated near the hangar."

Fear of Enemy Espionage.  --GreGen

Looking Back to 1941: USS Indiana Launched

From the December 7, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"The USS Indiana, 35,000 ton floating fortress, carrying nine 16-inch guns and other armament, making her the hardest hitting warship afloat, was launched six months ahead of schedule."

All those speed-up as a prelude to war.  Too bad nothing was written about  Pearl harbor back then that was reported in "Looking Back."

--GreGen

"We Patch Anything": The WPA's Sewing Rooms-- Part 3

I had never heard of this operation before coming across it in one of my "Looking Back" posts.  I especially liked how they took the WPA's initials and turned it into "WE Patch Anything."

Seamstresses took pride in what they did and would say the WPA stood for "We Patch Anything."  Each item they made had a WPA label on it and the inscription "Not to Be Sold."  I wonder if there are any remaining WPA garments?  Perhaps even collector articles now?

By 1940, the Fort Worth sewing room had 650 women,ages 35-64, and had produced 2,341,369 garments and 130,408 household items.

As the United States drew closer to war, the women began finding better paying jobs in defense industries.  Starting pay in the sewing rooms was $35 a month for 140 hours.

WPA sewing rooms disbanded in 1941.

Something Else I Didn't Know About.  --GreGen

Looking Back to 1941: Flag to Stay Up on Sycamore Courthouse for Duration of War

From the December 28, 2016, Looking Back (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"The flag went up over the court house yesterday, Sheriff William Runnells, custodian of court house properties announced that the flag would be flown daily for the duration of the war.

"Ordinarily the flag is flown only on specific holidays."

The DeKalb County Court House is in Sycamore.

Raise the Flag!!  --GreGen

Looking Back to 1941: "Some Gloom, Much Grim Determination, But Splendid Confidence"

From the December 121, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.  War Is Here!!

"With over 90 Sycamore men in some form of service with the armed forces of the United States there was naturally considerable shock of the sudden outbreak of war.

"A brief survey among several housewives indicates that there is some gloom, much grim determination, but splendid confidence the victory will come to us though the time of its coming will be years away."

Like FDR's Declaration of War Speech.  --GreGen

Looking Back to 1941: Army Convoy Goes Through Sycamore, Illinois

From the December 14, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"During the past three days Sycamore was once again feeling and hearing the rattle and rumble of an army convoy.

"Over 2,000 artillerymen, 450 vehicles and dozens of cannons and anti-tank guns have rolled westward."

Wonder What This Was All About, Looking At the Date?  --GreGen

Government Project at Wilmington, Illinois

In the last blog entry, I mentioned that the DeKalb Wagon Works Company, in DeKalb, Illinois, was building thirty special truck bodies for the government project at Wilmington, Illinois.

This very likely was what became known as the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant.which opened in 1940.

--GreGen

Looking Back to 1941: Preparing for War

From the February 10, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

"At the present time the DeKalb Wagon Works Company is thought to be the only firm in the city working on a government contract.  Thirty special bodies for trucks are being made there which will be used in the government's big project at Wilmington.

"The firm has also figured on some small gun carriages, but did not receive the bid, and are working on other bids that are being asked for special equipment which the firm is able to manufacture."

There's Money to Be Made.  --GreGen

Looking Back At 1941: Knitting Sweaters for Servicemen

From the November 23, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.  "Knitters in DeKalb, who are willing to supply pull over sweaters for the young men in service, will be provided yarn without charge, according to an announcement made this morning.

"A supply of olive drab yarn has been received by the DeKalb Chapter of the Red Cross and will be given out to those who desire to knit sweaters, which are to be returned to the Red cross."

Getting Ready for War.  --GreGen

Some Prices from 1941

From a menu back then that Ralph Jeffers had in his scrapbook.

Porterhouse and mushrooms:  $1
T-Bone--  60 cents

1/2  dozen oysters: fried, stewed or raw--  35 cents
crab salad--  50 cents

hamburger-- 15 cents
hamburger and cheese--  20 cents

strawberry shortcake with whipped cream--  20 cents
pies (per slice)--  10 cents, a la mode--  15 cents

Milk--  10 cents (second glass 5 cents)
milk shakes--  15 cents
malted milk--  15 cents
Coca Cola & other sodas--  10 cents (with meals, 5 cents)

I Could Afford to Eat at These Prices  --GreGen