| Dates: | 1979-1996 |
| Size: | .5 linear feet in 1 box |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection number: | nnhc.00063 |
| Immediate source of acquisition: | Donated by Mark Dawson, President of the Greater Rockwell Organization, circa 1996. |
| Conditions governing use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Conditions governing access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Preferred citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Greater Rockwell Organization Records, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding aid author: | Processed by Harry Klinkhamer, 1996. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Allyson Smally, 2021. |
Abstract
The Greater Rockwell neighborhood is located within Chicago’s Lincoln Square community area. This small collection contains administrative records and publications from the Greater Rockwell Organization, a local neighborhood group. It includes newsletters, correspondence, by-laws, event and program files, membership information, reports, and questionnaires.
Biographical/Historical
According to their by-laws, the Greater Rockwell Organization (GRO) was founded to “preserve, promote and develop the Greater Rockwell residential and business community; to encourage and foster mutual understanding and goodwill among residents and business people of the community; to maintain a stable, multi-ethnic community; and to engage in such activities as will promote civic pride and community welfare” (By-laws, 1981). The Greater Rockwell neighborhood is located within Chicago’s Lincoln Square community area. It extends from Wilson north to Lawrence, from Western Avenue west to Rockwell, and then along Leland Avenue to the North Branch of the Chicago River.
The organization began in 1976 as a task force of the Ravenswood Community Council. Three years later it broke away from the Council and formed the Greater Rockwell Organization. Its earliest priority was opposing gang activity near Rockwell and Lawrence avenues. As the GRO grew, it broadened its focus to include neighborhood beautification and stabilization, such as the redevelopment of Jacob Park and the adoption and preservation of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Rockwell station.
Scope and Contents
This small collection contains administrative records and publications from the Greater Rockwell Organization, including newsletters, correspondence, by-laws, event and program files, membership information, reports, and questionnaires.
Arrangement
Alphabetically by document type, and alphabetically therein when necessary.
Subject headings
- Lincoln Square (Chicago, Ill.)
- Citizens’ associations
- Community life – Illinois – Chicago – History – Sources
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Addresses and phone numbers for local municipal offices | 1993 January |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | By-Laws, Greater Rockwell Organization | 1981 November |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Calendar of events and related letter | 1989-1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Census data, Lincoln Square community area | 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | Chicago Transit Authority Rockwell Station and #11 Lincoln Bus descriptions | 1989 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Correspondence – miscellaneous | 1988-1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Correspondence – municipal agencies | 1988-1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Correspondence – parking permit issue | undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Correspondence – real estate | 1990-1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Correspondence – Rockwell Crossing | 1988-1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Correspondence – utilities | 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Events and programs – Block surveys | 1990 May |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Events and programs – Jacob’s Park renovation, correspondence, notes, fliers, and agendas | 1989-1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Events and programs – Lawrence Avenue Improvement Task Force, notes | 1995 July 10 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Events and programs – Spaghetti Dinner, fliers, notes, and planning documents | 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Events and programs – Special Housing meeting, agenda, notes, and related material | 1993 December 16 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Events and programs – Waters local school council | 1989, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | Fliers, neighborhood events | 1987-1988, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Key people list, Greater Rockwell Organization | 1987-1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Law enforcement activity report, blank | undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Meeting agendas and notes | 1989-1996 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Membership cards | circa 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Membership lists and related material | 1990-1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | News clippings | 1990-1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Newsletters, Greater Rockwell Organization | 1979 December -1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Newsletters, Greater Rockwell Organization | 1996-2001 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Newsletters, other organizations | 1989-1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | Open letter to youth of the community | 1990 January |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Questionnaires – Greater Rockwell Organization | 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Questionnaires – Waters School | 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 | Report, Lawrence Avenue Design Charette | 1995 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | Zoning information | 1988 |
