| Dates: | 1885-1985, undated |
| Size: | 1.25 linear feet in 2 boxes, including 93 photographs |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection Number: | nnhc.sbc |
| Immediate source of acquisition: | Donated by Stephen Bedell Clark in 1975 after publication of his book Lake View Saga |
| 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: Stephen Bedell Clark Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library |
| Finding aid author: | Processed as part of the Local History grant received from the Scholl Foundation in 1982; updated by Julie Lynch, 2021 |
| Revision history: | Edited by Julie Lynch for compliance with DACS |
Abstract
Stephen Bedell Clark was the author of the Lake View Saga. He worked for many years at Lake View Trust and Savings Bank and was active in many community organizations in Lake View. The Stephen Bedell Clark Papers contain typewritten chapters of Clark's book, Lake View Saga; the text of a speech on Lake View Township; research notes from Clark's work on Lake View Saga; and photographs, most of which are reproductions. The photographs include many images of Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, Clark's employer, as well as images used in the Lake View Saga.
Biographical/Historical
Stephen Bedell Clark was born February 4, 1890 in Buffalo, New York to Mr. And Mrs. Martin and Cora Clark. He was the fourth of six children. He grew up in Buffalo, New York and moved to Chicago around 1916. He married Mary A. Geraghty in Chicago on April 13, 1918. They had 2 daughters.
Clark was an active member of the Lake View business and social community for many years. He worked at Lake View Trust and Savings bank from 1947 until his retirement in 1970. During his time there, he held many positions including the Head of the Advertising and Public Relations Department and was elected the bank's vice-president in 1959. Mr. Clark was also active in community organizations such as the Lincoln-Belmont YMCA where he served as its director. He was a member of the Lake View Kiwanis Club, and served as an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Ravenswood-Lake View Historical Association (RLVHA).
He is best known as the author of The Lake View Saga, a book he published about the history of Lake View Township. His research was sponsored by Lake View Trust and Savings Bank. He initially published his research as series of articles in the Lerner published Lincoln-Belmont Booster and Sunday Booster newspaper in 1973. The Lake View Saga was published in 1974. In 1976 he received a special citation from the RLVHA for his contributions to the preservation of local history.
Mr. Clark died in Denver, Colorado on December 6, 1977.
Scope and Contents
This collections contains research notes, writings and photographs that document the history of Lake View Township, with a focus on the Lake View community area.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 3 series:
Series 1: Writings, circa 1973-1985, undated
This series contains type-written chapters of the book Lake View Saga, copyrighted in 1974. Also included is a speech he presented at a local community meeting titled, "Lake View Township, 1836-1889." This series is arranged chronologically, with undated material at the end.
Series 2: Research Notes, undated
The research notations made by Mr. Clark maintain their notebook format. There are two notebooks and one folder of research data.
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
This series contains 93 photographs that appeared in the Lake View Saga. It contains the following six subseries. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
Subseries A: Businesses, 1885-1970, undated
The majority of the photos in this subseries are of the Lake View Savings and Trust Bank.
Subseries B: Clubs and Organizations, 1901, 1928
The two organizations represented in this subseries are the Lincoln-Belmont YMCA and the Social Turners.
Subseries C: Municipal Agencies, undated
The two photos in this subseries are of a Lake View Police Department building and one group photo of Lake View firefighters.
Subseries D: Portraits, undated
This subseries contains one portrait of Berth Eich of Eich Brothers Dairy and her son.
Subseries E: Residences, circa 1960s, undated
Of the five images in this subseries, two are from the community area of West Ridge, one is from Edgewater, one is from Lake View, and one is from Lincoln Square.
Subseries F: Street Scenes, circa 1906 – 1955
The street scenes featured in this area are mainly of the intersection of the Lincoln, Belmont, and Ashland avenues.
Related collections
Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection
Subject headings
- Neighborhoods — Illinois — Chicago.
- Lake View (Cook County, Ill. : Township)
- Lakeview (Chicago, Ill.)
Collection inventory
Series 1: Writings, circa 1973-1985, undated
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1608-1799, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1800-1839, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1840-1859, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1860-1869, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1870-1879, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1880-1889, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1900-1915, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1916-1925, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1926-1939, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1940-1949, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community," 1950-1959, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | "A Chronicle of the Lake View Community" 1960-1970, typescripts and photocopied images, circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | “The Lake View Saga, 1837-1974,” first printing, 1974, and second printing, 1985 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | "Saga of Lake View Township," pages 1-11, news clippings pasted on note paper, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | "Saga of Lake View Township," pages 12-22, news clippings pasted on note paper, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | "Saga of Lake View Township," pages 23-33, news clippings pasted on note paper, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | "Saga of Lake View Township," pages 34-44, news clippings pasted on note paper, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | "Lake View Township 1836-1889," handwritten text of historical speech, undated |
Series 2: Research Notes, undated
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Research notebook #1, "Saga of Lake View," undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Research notebook #2, "Saga of Lake View," undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Research notebook #3, historical research, general data, undated |
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
Subseries A: Businesses, 1885-1970, undated
| Photograph 1.42 | P.A. Birren, undertaker and embalmer, exterior view with employees and little girl, 1885 |
| Photograph 1.54 | Chicago Telephone Company, three male telephone operators pose in front of the switchboard, circa 1910 |
| Photograph 1.69 | Citizen's State Bank, rendering of exterior, 1913 |
| Photograph 1.70 | Citizen's State Bank, exterior view at night, after remodeling, 1929 |
| Photograph 1.50 | Eich Brothers Dairy, exterior in winter, circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.60 | Klee Brothers and Company Store, exterior, 1925 |
| Photograph 1.83 | Klee Brothers and Company Store, exterior view, 1932 |
| Photograph 1.1 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, aerial view, undated |
| Photograph 1.79 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, demolition, extension of the bank to the north, 1930 May 22 |
| Photograph 1.80 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, demolition, the extension of the bank to the north, 1930 May 22 |
| Photograph 1.38 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, bridge playing champions, circa 1960s |
| Photograph 1.39 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, bridge playing champions, circa 1960s |
| Photograph 1.40 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, bridge playing champions, circa 1960s |
| Photograph 1.91 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, Mr. Burmeister, president, 1964 July 28 |
| Photograph 1.29 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, John Herin, 1929 |
| Photograph 1.92 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, 1955 December 15 |
| Photograph 1.35 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, Mr. C.J. Platte, undated |
| Photograph 1.37 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, Mr. I.G. Wahlstrom, undated |
| Photograph 1.94 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, party for Mr. Burmeister’s 50th anniversary working for the bank, 1964 July 28 |
| Photograph 1.56 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, standing in front of bank, 1908 |
| Photograph 1.36 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, employees, unidentified man, undated |
| Photograph 1.21 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exhibit of photographs, 1955 |
| Photograph 1.4 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, circa 1905 |
| Photograph 1.2 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, circa 1915 |
| Photograph 1.7 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, circa 1915 |
| Photograph 1.81 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, remodeled front entrance, 1930 |
| Photograph 1.8 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, 1956 |
| Photograph 1.9 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, 1956 |
| Photograph 1.10 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, 1957 |
| Photograph 1.11 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view at night, 1957 |
| Photograph 1.12 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, at night, 1957 |
| Photograph 1.90 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, 1959 |
| Photograph 1.13 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, looking east on Belmont Avenue, 1963 |
| Photograph 1.14 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, 1963 |
| Photograph 1.3 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior view, undated |
| Photograph 1.87 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, exterior window display, for 50th anniversary, 1955 November 20 |
| Photograph 1.75 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior view, before remodeling, 1929 October |
| Photograph 1.82 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior view, at formal re-opening after remodeling, 1930 December 27 |
| Photograph 1.18 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1950 |
| Photograph 1.19 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1950 |
| Photograph 1.20 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, circa 1950s |
| Photograph 1.88 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, after remodeling, 1955 October 20 |
| Photograph 1.23 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1957 |
| Photograph 1.24 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1957 |
| Photograph 1.25 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1957 |
| Photograph 1.26 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1961 |
| Photograph 1.27 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1965 |
| Photograph 1.28 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1965 |
| Photograph 1.86 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1954 December 15 |
| Photograph 1.22 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, 1970 |
| Photograph 1.16 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, undated |
| Photograph 1.34 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, undated |
| Photograph 1.17 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, deposit window, circa 1910s |
| Photograph 1.55 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, teller’s cage, undated |
| Photograph 1.30 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, vault, 1965 |
| Photograph 1.31 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, vault, undated |
| Photograph 1.32 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior, vault, undated |
| Photograph 1.33 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, interior vault, undated |
| Photograph 1.15 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, photo of a painting, exterior view, 1959 |
| Photograph 1.85 | Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, street view, circa 1950 |
| Photograph 1.93 | Lincoln-Belmont Booster, people posing with Golden Jubilee Historical Supplement, 1970 |
| Photograph 1.74 | Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue, exterior, 1929 |
| Photograph 1.58 | Riverview Amusement Park, aerial view the Bobs Roller Coaster, October 1967 |
| Photograph 1.49 | H. Schroeder Piano Store, exterior, circa 1900s |
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
Subseries B: Clubs and Organizations, 1901, 1928
| Photograph 1.65 | Lincoln-Belmont YMCA, exterior, construction, 1928 |
| Photograph 1.66 | Lincoln-Belmont YMCA, rendering of exterior, 1928 |
| Photograph 1.67 | Lincoln-Belmont YMCA, laying the cornerstone, 1928 |
| Photograph 1.53 | Social Turners, exterior, circa 1901 |
| Photograph 1.52 | Social Turners building, interior, destroyed by fire, 1901 |
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
Subseries C: Municipal Agencies, undated
| Photograph 1.48 | Lake View Fire Department, Truck Company 21, group photo of firemen with dog, undated |
| Photograph 1.46 | Lake View Police Station, exterior, undated |
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
Subseries D: Portraits, undated
| Photograph 1.51 | Berth Eich and her son John, undated |
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
Subseries E: Residences, circa 1960s, undated
| Photograph 1.41 | 5896 N. Ridge Avenue, undated |
| Photograph 1.43 | 6440 N. Ridge Avenue, circa 1960s |
| Photograph 1.44 | 7504 N. Ridge Avenue, undated |
| Photograph 1.45 | 4506 N. Winchester Avenue, undated |
| Photograph 1.47 | 3256 N. Wilton Avenue, undated |
Series 3: Photographs, 1885-1970, undated
Subseries F: Street Scenes, circa 1906 - 1955
| Photograph 1.57 | 3200 block of N. Ashland Avenue, east side of street. Homer Burnside, the mail carrier and Fred Meyer the pharmacist pose in front of buildings on the east side of Ashland Avenue, circa 1906 |
| Photograph 1.5 | 3200 block of North Ashland, street view of sign announcing new building for Lake View Trust and Savings Bank, 1913 |
| Photograph 1.68 | 3200 block North Ashland Avenue, east side of street, circa 1928 |
| Photograph 1.59 | 3200 block of N. Ashland Avenue, east side of street, widening Ashland Avenue, circa 1925 |
| Photograph 1.76 | 3200 block of N. Ashland Avenue, looking southeast, 1930 August |
| Photograph 1.77 | 3200 block N. Ashland Avenue, 1930 August |
| Photograph 1.78 | 3200 block N. Ashland Avenue, 1930 August |
| Photograph 1.73 | 1700 W. Belmont Avenue, looking west from Ashland Avenue, 1929 |
| Photograph 1.72 | 3100 N. Lincoln Avenue, looking south from Belmont Avenue, 1929 |
| Photograph 1.71 | 3200 N. Lincoln Avenue, looking north west from Belmont Avenue, 1929 |
| Photograph 1.62 | 3200 N. Lincoln Avenue at the intersection of Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland avenues, circa 1928 |
| Photograph 1.84 | 3200 N. Lincoln Avenue at the intersection of Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland avenues, looking south, 1936 |
| Photograph 1.89 | 3200 N. Lincoln Avenue at the intersection of Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland avenues, looking south from rooftop, 1955 December 12 |
| Photograph 1.63 | 3300 block North Marshfield Avenue, demolition of house for the Lincoln-Belmont YMCA, 1927 |
| Photograph 1.64 | 3300 block North Marshfield Avenue, demolition of house for the Lincoln-Belmont YMCA, 1927 |
| Photograph 1.61 | 3500 block of N. Southport Avenue, looking southeast from Addison Avenue, circa 1920s |
