Chicago Public Library
Special Collections and Preservation Division

Neighborhood History Research Collection

Scottsdale Homeowners Association (SHA)
1916-2006 (Bulk Dates 1952-2006)

9 linear feet

Historical Note | Scope and Content
Provenance | Access | Box and Folder Inventory

Historical Note

The Scottsdale Homeowners Association (SHA) was established in 1952 by a group of residents of Scottsdale, a newly formed subdivision on the southwest side of Chicago. The mission of the SHA is to meet regularly with Scottsdale residents in order to discuss and take action on community issues and services; for example, the association worked to obtain sidewalks on major streets in the neighborhood, to acquire the Rainey, Durkin and Scottsdale Park Fieldhouses and to establish a Summer Swim Program at Daley College, among other initiatives. In addition, SHA members have been extremely active in the neighborhood by promoting community events such as the yearly Santa Claus visit program, the Annual Picnic in the Park, and the Annual Inaugural Ball dedicated to newly elected SHA officers. The SHA also puts out a newsletter, which began in 1952 and is still being published.

Scottsdale, a subdivision of the Ashburn neighborhood, grew out of a residential development project and shopping center planned by Raymond Lutgert. Lutgert was a real estate developer and built roughly 1,000 homes on the site of the old Ashburn Flying Field in 1952. He named the community after his son, Scott. The Scottsdale Shopping Center was completed in November of 1955 in the midst of post-World War II industrial and population growth in the area. Scottsdale runs approximately from Pulaski Avenue west to Cicero Avenue and from 77th Street south to 87th Street.        

Scope and Content

While the collection begins in 1916 with the construction of Ashburn Flying Field, Chicago's first airfield, the majority of the records span the period from the inception of the Scottsdale Homeowners Association as a non-profit organization in 1952 to 2006. The collection provides an inside look at some of the major issues affecting Chicagoans during this time period, particularly the development of shopping centers, the cross-town expressway proposal, and the Civil Rights Movement and the subsequent desegregation initiative in the Chicago Public Schools during the 1960s and 1970s.

The collection includes manuscript material documenting SHA involvement with local businesses, municipal agencies, schools, and other groups and people in the community in addition to a complete run of SHA newsletters from 1952 through May of 2006. A scrapbook containing photographs is housed separately, as are all oversized materials.

Series Descriptions

Series I: Biographical Data, 1954-2006
This series contains primarily newspaper clippings about neighborhood residents. The files are organized in alphabetical order.     

Series II: Business Establishments, 1954-2003
This series includes clippings, correspondence, newsletters, and other printed matter from several local businesses. Of particular note in this series are the records pertaining to the Scottsdale Shopping Center's opening in 1955 and the clippings and advertisements from several Ford City establishments. The folders are in alphabetical order by business name.

Series III: Religious Organizations, 1956-2003
The Religious Organizations series is the smallest in the Scottsdale collection. This series includes one folder of clippings about, and bulletins from, St. Bede the Venerable Parish, a Catholic parish. The documents are in chronological order, with clippings placed first and parish bulletins last. Information about other local religious organizations can be found in the scrapbook, Series XII, Box 7, folder 1.

Series IV: Clubs and Organizations, 1952-2005
The Clubs and Organizations series is the largest in the collection because it holds the administrative records and general clippings of the Scottsdale Homeowners Association, as well as the association newsletters. Small collections of clippings, flyers, and administrative documents about several other local organizations are also included in the series. The SHA section of the series, which fills roughly 4.5 boxes, includes administrative documents such as articles of incorporation, by-laws, and meeting minutes and notices. The association newsletters make up the largest subseries in the group, while extensive documentation of SHA events and programs is included as well. Clippings, correspondence, flyers, and other printed matter regarding the Annual Picnic in the Park, the Annual Inaugural Ball, yearly membership drives, and the Santa Claus program make up the majority of the records under the Events and Programs subseries. The
Clubs and Organizations series is in alphabetical order by organization name, then by subject. Individual documents are organized chronologically within their folders.

Series V: Historical Essays and Sketches on the Neighborhood, 1963-1988
Eight folders make up this series, which includes historical information about Ashburn, Scottsdale, and the Scottsdale Homeowners Association. The series contains historical sketches written by Association members for the community, reports written by residents for class projects, and clippings about the neighborhood. This series is in chronological order.

Series VI: Municipal Agencies, 1968-1997
The municipal agencies and individuals represented in this series are the Chicago Fire Department, the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Public Library, and several 13th and 18th Ward aldermen and governmental committee members. Clippings and correspondence make up the majority of the series. The files are in alphabetical order by agency name, with the aldermen and committee member section under "Government."  Of note in the Government subseries are the flyers and printed material from the 1967 aldermanic election. Materials within the folders are in chronological order.

Series VII: Parks, 1963-1988
The Parks series houses material related to Rainey, Durkin and Scottsdale Parks. This series contains clippings, correspondence, reports, and printed material primarily concerning the SHA initiatives to purchase both the Hancock and Crerar Schools for use as fieldhouse facilities for Rainey and Durkin Parks, and the initiative to build the Scottsdale Park Fieldhouse. The files are in alphabetical order, with records about Rainey and Durkin Parks combined because the SHA conducted one initiative for both parks.

Series VIII: Residences, 1952-2002
This series is comprised of clippings, correspondence, printed material, and directories. The directories folder includes a list of SHA administrative members from 1952-1953 and a longer list of residents' names and addresses. Records related to several SHA initiatives are in this series as well, including zoning issues, a debate over the 1961 plans to build the Bogan Manor Subdivision, and the more recent banning of "For Sale" signs in the neighborhood. Of particular interest in the series is a promotional booklet produced by Hancock Homes for the proposed Bogan Manor Subdivision. The booklet includes pictures and descriptions of four ranch and split level model home options, from the "elegance of the Franklin" to the "modern contemporary styling" of the Jefferson.  This series is organized in alphabetical order by subject, and materials inside individual folders are in chronological order.

Series IX: Schools, 1958-1996
Clippings, correspondence, programs, flyers, petitions, and other printed matter related to several Scottsdale schools are held in this series. Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School, Southwest/Richard J. Daley College, and William J. Bogan High School have individual files. Of note in the Southwest/Richard J. Daley College file are the clippings and programs that document both the opening of Southwest College in 1970 and the 1982 name change to Richard J. Daley College. Information pertaining to the 1960s and 1970s desegregation initiative in the Chicago Public Schools is included in this series as well, and consists of clippings, surveys and printed matter sent by the School Superintendent, and correspondence, petition forms, and other printed matter created by the Scottsdale Homeowners Association. The desegregation materials contain information related to Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School, Crerar School, Hancock School, and William J. Bogan High School. A general "schools" folder contains clippings related to SHA school initiatives and the school board. The files in this series are organized in alphabetical order by school name and subject, and materials inside the folders are in chronological order.

Series X: Streets, 1958-1993
This series is made up primarily of clippings, and includes information on proposals for the Central Avenue Overpass and the Crosstown Expressway, SHA sidewalks initiatives, and general information about issues like drainage problems. The files are in alphabetical order by subject, then chronological order within each folder.

Series XI: Transportation, 1916-1999
The Transportation series holds mostly clippings as well as some correspondence and Midway Airport newsletters. The file on Ashburn Flying Field contains the earliest part of the Scottsdale Homeowners Association collection, documenting activity at the airfield from its beginning in 1916 until 1947, five years before the first houses were built in the subdivision. This series is organized in alphabetical order by subject, and the contents of each folder are in chronological order.

Series XII: Scrapbook, 1952-1963
The last series in the Scottsdale Homeowners Association collection is a scrapbook from the first eleven years of the community's existence. The scrapbook holds clippings about residents of Scottsdale, photographs of some of the first houses built in the area, and information about local issues related to community streets and zoning. Additionally, and of particular note, are the clippings, programs, and photographs documenting the construction of Adlai E. Stevenson School, Beth Jacobs Congregation, Hancock School and Park, Hometown Christian Church, New Golgotha Lutheran Church, the Scottsdale Shopping Center, St. Bede the Venerable Parish and School, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, and William J. Bogan High School. The series also includes clippings and notices from Scottsdale organizations not otherwise represented in the collection, including the Crestline Little League Red Sox, the Scottsdale Jewish Community Center, the Scottsdale Youth Organization, and several women's groups (PTA, A-Ta-Ya Campfire Girls, Scottsdale Ladies, Scottybirds Bluebird Group, and the St. Bede's Altar Guild). Scrapbook materials are in chronological order.

Provenance

The papers of the Scottsdale Homeowners Association were donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Keating in 2006. Mr. Keating was president of the association from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1983 to 1985.

Access

The Scottsdale Homeowners Association Collection is available to the public for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room on the 9th floor of the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60605. The collection does not circulate, although photocopy and photoreproduction services are available depending upon the condition of the original materials. First time patrons to Special Collections are asked to present photo identification and complete a Reader Registration Form. Telephone inquiries on this collection and other Special Collections holdings can be directed to 312-747-4875.

Box and Folder Inventory

Box 1     

Series I: Biographical
2. Lisowski, Reverend Brian: Church Bulletins, 2004-2005; Clippings, 2004-2005 3. Lutgert-Wagner Lutgert, Grover Richard: Clipping, 1967 Lutgert, Raymond L.: Clippings, 1955, 2006 See also Box 1, Folder 10 See also Box 7: Scrapbook Clipping, 1954 Lutgert, Scott: Clipping, 2004 Stary, Dawn: Missing Notice, 1978 See Box 1, Folder 1: Bolind, Kathy Thomson, Frank: Clipping, c. 1973 Wagner, Petty: Clipping, 1977; Flyer, “Scottsdale Homeowners Pet Patrol” Series II: Businesses 4. Crestline Sales, Inc. (3822 W. 63rd), Order Form, 1955 5. Ford City Bowling Center (76th and Cicero), Newspaper, n.d. See: Oversize Box 8, Folder 1 6. Ford City Catholic Center, Clippings, 1971;Programs, 1979, 1989 7. Ford City Shopping Center (76th and Cicero), Newsletters, 1965; Maps, c. 1967; Clippings. 1976-1978, n.d.; Correspondence, 1991 8. Nabisco Biscuit Company (7300 S. Kedzie), Clippings, 1993 9. Scottsdale Lanes (8333 S. Cicero), Clipping, 1991; Program, n.d. 10. Scottsdale Shopping Center (79th and Cicero), Clippings, 1954-1955, 1999; Correspondence, 2005 See also: Box 7: Scrapbook Clipping, 1954
11.	Southwest Book and Video (7733 S. Cicero), Clipping, 1994; Settlement Agreement, 1994
12.	Texaco, Inc. (4032 W. 87th), Correspondence, 1968
13.	Tootsie Roll Industries Plant (7401 S. Cicero), Clipping, n.d.
14.	Tucker Auto (7600 S. Cicero), Clipping, 2003
Series III: Religious Organizations
15.	St. Bede the Venerable Parish (4420 W. 83rd), Clippings, 1956-2003; Parish Bulletins, 1957, 1999
Series IV: Clubs and Organizations
16.	Fine Arts Group, Clipping, 1959
17.	Greater Ashburn Planning Association, Proposal to Department of Cultural Affairs (City of Chicago), 2002
18	SHA, Annual Reports, 1952-1959
19.	SHA, Articles of Incorporation, 1952, 1974
20.	SHA, By-Laws, 1976-2000
21.	SHA, Correspondence with Members, 1960-1978, 2002
22.	SHA, Elections and Officers, Clippings, 1972-1989; Correspondence 1963-1995; Election Rules, 1963, 1992; Flyers, 1955-1985 See also: Box 6, Folder 19: Administration Directory See also: Oversize Box 8, Folder 2
23.	SHA, Events and Programs Annual Cleaner Chicago Parade, 1963 Annual Christmas Party, 2003
24.	SHA, Events and Programs Annual Picnic in the Park, 1963-1988
25.	SHA, Events and Programs Anti-Solicitation Drive, 1971 Ed Evans Award Program, 1992 Family Fun Day Run, 2003 Flag Tribute Day, 1968—after Democratic National Convention Fourth of July Celebration, 1963 Fundraisers, n.d., 2004 Inaugural Ball, 1972-1983 See also: Oversize Box 8, Folder 3
26.	SHA, Events and Programs Membership Drives, 1955-2002
27.	SHA, Events and Programs Merry Fest, 1982 Nighthawks Neighborhood Watch Program, 1993, 2000 Safe Home Sign, 1966 See: Oversize Box 8, Folder 4 Santa Claus Program 1956-2001 See also: Oversize Box 8, Folder 5 Scholarship Program (Lewis University), 1998 Softball Tournament, 2001 Sox Park Outing, 1986, 1989, 2001
28.	SHA, Financial Information, 1956-1997
29.	SHA, Issues and Initiatives Civil Rights Movement, 1966 Clippings about Several Initiatives, 1974, 1978 Neighborhood Conservation, 1966, 1974 Survey to Improve Association, 1971 Tax Issue, c. 1974 Youth Issues, 1963-1973
30.	SHA, Maps, 1963
31.	SHA Meetings, Minutes and Notices, 1955-2003
32.	SHA, Membership Reports, 1981-1997

BOX 2

1.	SHA, The Association Paper, March 1955-April 1955
2.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, May 1955-December 1955
3.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, February 1956-December 1956
4.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1957-December 1957
5.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1958-December 1958
6.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1959-December 1959
7.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1960-December 1960
8.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1961-December 1961
9.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1962-December 1962

BOX 3

1.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1963-December 1963
2.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1964-December 1964
3.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1965-December 1965
4.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1966-December 1966
5.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1967-December 1967
6.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1968-December 1968
7.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1969-December 1969
8.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1970-December 1970
9.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1971-December 1971

BOX 4

1.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1972-December 1974
2.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1975-December 1976
3.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1977-December 1978
4.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1979-December 1980
5.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1981-December 1982
6.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1983-December 1984
7.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1985-December 1986
8.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1987-December 1988
9.	SHA, Working for You, March 1988
10.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1989-December 1990
11.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1991-December 1992
12.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1993-December 1994

BOX 5

1.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1995-December 1996
2.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1997-December 1998
3.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 1999-December 2000
4.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 2001-December 2002
5.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 2003-December 2004
6.	SHA, The Scottsdale News, January 2005-April/May 2006

BOX 6

1.	SHA, Organizational Chart, 1984; Committee List, 1992
2.	"Scottsdale Homeowners: 50 Years 1952-2002," poster See: Oversize Box 8, Folder 9
3.	Southwest Guaranteed Home Equity Commission, By-Laws, 1990; Flyer, 2000; Newsletters, 2005
Series V: Historical Essays and Sketches
4.	"A Geographical Survey of the Greater Scottsdale Area, Chicago, Illinois", John R. Keating, 1963
5.	"The Ashburn Story", No Author, 1968
6.	"As I See: It: Published Comments by J. Keating and D. Badgley Concerning Purpose of S.H.A.", Dick Badgley and John Keating, 1978-1979
7.	"Early History and Development of Scottsdale", William Houlihan, 1984
8.	"History of the Association", No Author, 1986
9.	"Neighborhoods Ranked by Wealth", Tom Gibbons, 1986
10.	"SHA Working for You: Our History", No Author, 1988
11.	"Scottsdale Homeowners Association: Early Days", Ray and Eileen Jehli, n.d.
Series VI: Municipal Agencies
12.	Chicago Fire Department (77th and Pulaski), Clippings, 1973
13.	Chicago Police Department, Clippings, 1973, 1978
14.	Chicago Public Library, Correspondence, 1968; Clipping Wrightwood/ Ashburn Branch), 1997
15.	Government, Aldermanic/Committee Election Clippings, Flyers, Printed Material, 1967, 1987 (Ward 18); Correspondence, Clipping, 1969-1994 (Ward 13) Ward 18, 1967: John G. Egan John J. Harhen Edward J. Hines John J. McInerney Robert B. O'Reilly Robert J. Rayner George Eddings Ward 13: Michael J. Madigan Frank Olivo
Series VII: Parks
16.	Rainey (4350 W. 79th) and Durkin (8445 S. Kolin) Parks, Printed Material, 1963, 1982; Clippings, Correspondence, Reports-SHA Initiative to Purchase Hancock and Crerar Schools, 1982-1983 See also: Box 1, Folders 24-25, 27
17.	Scottsdale Park (4637 W. 83rd), Clippings, Petition Form, Printed Material-; SHA Fieldhouse Initiative, 1973-1979; Printed Material, 1982, 1988
Series VIII: Residences
18.	Bogan Manor Subdivision (Southwest Corner 79th and Pulaski), Correspondence, 1961; Hancock Homes Booklet produced for the proposed Bogan Manor Subdivision, 1961. The booklet includes pictures and descriptions of four ranch and split level model home options.
19.	Directories, SHA Administrative List, 1952-1953; Residents and Address List, n.d. [SHA Member List?]
20.	Early Home Projects, Clippings, 1951-1955 See also: Box 7, Scrapbook photographs, 1952
21.	For Sale Signs Issue, Clipping, 1994; Correspondence, 2002
22.	Zoning Issues, Clippings, Correspondence, Flyers, Petition, 1954-1991
Series IX: Schools
23.	Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School (8010 S. Kostner), Clippings, 1958-1973; Proposed Concept for Playground, 1996 See also: Box 6, Folders 24-26
24.	Desegregation of Chicago Public Schools, Clippings, 1964-1985 See also: Oversize Box 8, Folder 6
25.	Desegregation of Chicago Public Schools, School Superintendent Survey and Printed Matter, 1965-1978
26.	Desegregation of Chicago Public Schools, SHA Materials: Correspondence, Flyers, Petition Forms, and Other Printed Matter, 1977-1979
27.	General Clippings, Local School Council, 1989; Reading Achievement, 1973, 1977; School Board, c.1973; Sex Education Issue, 1969
28.	Southwest/Richard J. Daley College (7500 S. Pulaski), Clippings, 1970-1982; Correspondence, 1990; Program-Dedication as Richard J. Daley College, 1982 See also: Oversize Box 8, Folder 7
29.	William J. Bogan High School (3939 W. 79th), Clippings, 1973-1975 See also: Box 6, Folders 24-26
Series X: Streets
30.	Central Avenue Overpass, Clipping, 1993
31.	Crosstown Expressway, Clippings, 1970, 1974
32.	General, Drainage Problems: Clipping, 1974; North-South Expressway: Flyer, 1967; One-Way Streets Issue: Clipping, 1973
33.	Sidewalks Initiatives, Clippings, 1958-1976; Correspondence, 1970
Series XI: Transportation
34.	Ashburn Flying Field, Clippings, 1916-1947
35.	Chicago Transit Authority, Correspondence, 1967
36.	Midway Airport Development, Clipping, c. 1999; Newsletters, 1997
37.	Southwest Rapid Transit Line, Clippings, 1993 See also: Oversize Box 8, Folder 8

BOX 7

Series XII: Scrapbooks
1.	Scrapbook, 1952-1953

BOX 8 Oversized Materials

1.	Ford City Bowling Center, Newspaper, n.d.
2.	SHA Elections, Campaign Poster, 1959
3.	SHA Inaugural Ball, Poster, 1972; Clipping, 1976
4.	SHA Safe Home Sign, 1966
5.	SHA Santa Claus Program, Clipping, 1973
6.	Desegregation in Chicago Public Schools, Clippings, 1977-1985
7.	Southwest/Richard J. Daley College, Clipping, 1975
8.	Southwest Rapid Transit Line, Clipping, 1993
9.	SHA Poster: "Scottsdale Homeowners: 50 Years 1952-2002"