| Dates: | 1890-1983, undated |
| Size: | 2.5 linear feet in 2 boxes, 13 oversized folders and 87 photographs |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection number: | nnhc.wnn |
| Immediate source of acquisition: | Donated by LaVerne Wermich, 1985 June-July. LaVerne Wermich is the daughter of Clarence W. and Marie Wermich, the publishers of the Northcenter News. |
| 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: Wermich-Northcenter News Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library |
| Finding aid author: | Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Julie Lynch, 2021. |
Abstract
The Wermich-North Center News Collection contains records from the Clarence and Marie Wermich, who published the neighborhood newspaper the Northcenter News. Items in the collection include issues of the newspaper from the 1940s - 1960s; minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings about the North Center Commercial Association; miscellaneous files about other neighborhood organizations, and photographs.
Biographical/Historical
Clarence Wermich was born on July 11, 1897 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Otto and Emma Wermich. Marie was born on October 6, 1900 in Chicago to parents Joseph and Elizabeth Weiblinger. Clarence and Marie were married in Feburary 1919. They had one daughter, LaVerne born on March 29, 1920.
Clarence Wermich was the founder and publisher of the Northcenter News, which he started in 1925. He was also co-owner and operator of radio station WKBI. He was a Navy veteran of World War I and the member of many local business and civic organizations. He was the former president of the Northcenter Lions Club, the Northcenter Commercial Association, and the North Side Printers Guild. When Clarence died in 1963, Marie took over the business until 1982 when it closed.
Marie held leadership positions in many local organizations. She served as president of the Sauganash Woman's Club from 1953-1995; Executive Director of the Chicago Women's Bowling Association from 1972-1984; Executive Secretary of the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce until 1984; and board member of the Ravenswood-Lake View Historical Association. She began bowling in 1925 and bowled in 48 national tournaments.
Clarence Wermich died at the age of 65 on May 11, 1963. Marie Wermich died at the age of 85 on April 20, 1985.
Scope and Contents
The Wermich-North Center News Collection contains records from the Wermich family, who published the neighborhood newspaper the Northcenter News. Items in the collection include issues of the newspaper from the 1940s - 1960s; minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings about the North Center Commercial Association; miscellaneous files about other neighborhood organizations, and photographs.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 3 series:
Series 1: Documents and records, 1913-1978, undated
Series 2: Newspapers, 1943-1967
Series 3: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Related materials
Community Newspapers Collection
Ravenswood Lake View Community Collection
Subject headings
- Community newspapers
- North Center (Chicago, Ill.)
- Community life -- Illinois -- Chicago -- History -- Sources.
Collection inventory
Series 1: Documents and records, 1913-1978, undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains documents and publications pertaining to the Northcenter News, WKBI radio station, and the civic clubs that Clarence and Marie Wermich were members of.
Arrangement
Alphabetically by topic, and then alphabetically within each topic with undated material at the beginning of each topic.
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Biography – Wermich, Clarence awarded certificate from Chicago World’s Fair Centennial Celebration 1933 | 1928 June 10 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Biography – Wermich, Clarence awarded certificate from Chicago’s Charter Jubilee | 1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Biography – Wermich, Clarence awarded certificate from Aluminum Round Up from the National Defense Effort | 1941 July 21 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Biography – Wermich, Clarence and Marie, Wermich 25th wedding anniversary tree dedication program | 1944 February 26 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | Businesses - Lincoln Trust and Savings Bank featured in “The National Banker” | 1923 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Know your merchants” contest | undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | Businesses - Northcenter News, Christmas card | 1928 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Businesses - Northcenter News, cooking school, announcement and correspondence | 1936 October |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Businesses - Northcenter News, correspondence | 1945 August 9 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Looking Back,” news clippings | 1971, 1976, 1978 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1968 January 3 – December 24 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1969 January 1 – December 31 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1969 January 1 – December 31 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1971 January 6 – December 29 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1972 January 5 – December 27 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1973 January 3 – December 26 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1974 January 2 – December 25 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1975 January 1 – December 30 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1976 January 7 – December 29 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich | 1977 January 5 – December 29 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Businesses - Northcenter News, “Publisher’s Notebook” news clippings by Marie E. Wermich, | 1978 January 5 – November 16 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Businesses - WKBI radio station, caricature of Clarence Wermich | undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Businesses - WKBI radio station, letterhead | undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | Businesses - WKBI radio station, program | circa 1926 |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Businesses - WKBI radio station, sheet music | 1927, 1946-1947 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Clubs and organizations - Illinois Press Association, Certificate, Northcenter News | 1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Clubs and organizations - Kiwanis, Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, convention, ladies committee | 1949 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Clubs and organizations - Kiwanis, Illinois-Eastern Iowa District, program and news clippings | 1949 September |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Clubs and organizations - Kiwanis, Ravenswood chapter, correspondence, social chairman | 1939-1941 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Clubs and organizations - Lincoln Avenue and Irving Park Boulevard and Robey Street Businessmen’s Association program | 1916 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | Clubs and organizations - Lions Club, Northcenter chapter, souvenir program | 1961 April 19 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Clubs and organizations - “Neighborhood Boys Club and the Northcenter Neighborhood,” by Joanne Hoyt | 1974 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Clubs and organizations - North Side Printers Guild of Chicago, Certificate, Incorporated, Northcenter Press | circa 1942 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Clubs and organizations - Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, historical sketch by Marie Wermich | circa 1975 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | Clubs and organizations - Northcenter Commercial Association, correspondence, minutes, news clippings | 1934-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | Clubs and organizations - Northcenter Commercial Association, minutes, news clippings | 1934 October 10 – December 19 |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | Clubs and organizations - Northcenter Commercial Association, minutes, news clippings | 1935 January 8-December 5 |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 | Clubs and organizations - Northcenter Commercial Association, minutes, news clippings | 1936 January 1 – 1939 March 25 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Clubs and organizations - Southport Social and Benevolent Association, dance card | 1935 February 23 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Historical sketch - Northcenter Community, historical sketch of buildings on Irving Park Road from California Avenue to the east by Marie Wermich, undated | undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Historical sketch - Lincoln Avenue Trail and historical sketch, circa 1973 [missing, 2021] | circa 1973 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Religious organizations - Joyce M. E. Church, recipe book, Choice Recipes by the Standard Bearer Society | 1913 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Religious organizations - Joyce Memorial United Methodist Church, historical sketch 1895-1976 | 1976 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Schools - Amundsen High School, Senior Prom Dance Card Souvenir | 1936 June 5 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Schools - Coonley Elementary School, graduation program for the June class of 1915 | 1915 June |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Schools - Coonley Elementary School, 75th anniversary program | 1968 May 15 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | World War II, ration books, ration coupons, ration tokens, ration book holder, correspondence from Private First Class J. Weiblinger to Mrs. Marie Wermich and Mr. J. Weiblinger | 1944-1945 |
Series 2: Newspapers, 1943-1967
Scope and Contents
This series consists of paper copies of the Northcenter News between the dates 1943-1967. There are gaps in the holdings. This is not a complete run of papers.
Arrangement
The newspapers are arranged chronologically.
| Oversize Folder 1 | Northcenter News | 1943 January 27 |
| Oversize Folder 2 | Northcenter News | 1950 December 27 |
| Oversize Folder 3 | Northcenter News | 1952 April 23 |
| Oversize Folder 4 | Northcenter News | 1952 December 30 |
| Oversize Folder 5 | Northcenter News | 1953 December 30 |
| Oversize Folder 6 | Northcenter News | 1960 December 30 |
| Oversize Folder 7 | Northcenter News | 1963 May 15 |
| Oversize Folder 7 | Northcenter News | 1963 May 22 and December 28 |
| Oversize Folder 8 | Northcenter News | 1966 January 12-April 27 |
| Oversize Folder 9 | Northcenter News | 1966 May 4-September 14 |
| Oversize Folder 10 | Northcenter News | 1966 September 21-December 14 |
| Oversize Folder 11 | Northcenter News | 1966 December 21-28 |
| Oversize Folder 12 | Northcenter News | 1967 January 11-June28 |
Series 3: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of photographs and is arranged in six subseries: Businesses, 1899-1969; Clubs and Organizations, 1917-1975; Parks, circa 1934; Portraits, 1890-1983, undated; Residences 1940-1960; and Street Scene, 1900-1948. Many of the photographs document the Northcenter News and WKBI businesses and the clubs and organizations that Clarence and Marie Wermich were part of such as the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce.
Arrangement
The photographs are arranged by subject, then chronologically, with undated photos at the beginning of each topic.
Subseries A : Businesses, 1899-1969
| Photograph 1.1 | Halsam Products Company, 4114 N. Ravenswood Avenue, fire trucks spray water onto a fire | 1928 March 6 |
| Photograph 1.2 | Halsam Products Company, 4114 N. Ravenswood, after a fire | circa 1928 March 6 |
| Photograph 1.12 | North Center Theatre, opening, (left to right) Alderman John Hoellen, Sr., Clarence Wermich, publisher of Northcenter News, Armond Hand, orchestra conductor, Arthur Wiklund, president of Lincoln National Bank, Mae Weiblinger, beauty queen winner of North Center presents flowers at opening ceremony at a Lions Club meeting. | circa 1926 |
| Photograph 1.10 | North Center Theatre, Christmas party for children, interior view | circa 1931 |
| Photograph 1.9 | North Center Theatre, Christmas party for children, interior view | circa 1940 |
| Photograph 1.11 | North Center Theatre, gifts donated by Northcenter Merchants, interior view | circa 1940s |
| Photograph 1.4 | Northcenter News, Cooking School at North Center Theatre, 4037 N. Lincoln Avenue, exterior view | 1936 May 13-15 |
| Photograph 1.5 | Northcenter News, Cooking School at North Center Theatre, 4037 N. Lincoln Avenue, interior view | 1936 May 13-15 |
| Photograph 1.6 | Northcenter News, Cooking School at North Center Theatre, 4037 N. Lincoln Avenue, interior view | 1936 May 13-15 |
| Photograph 1.7 | Northcenter News, Cooking School at North Center Theatre, 4037 N. Lincoln Avenue, interior view, close up of attendants and stage | 1936 May 13-15 |
| Photograph 1.8 | Northcenter News, Press office building, 2050 W. Irving Park Road, exterior. Charles Wermich poses in front of building. | circa 1941 |
| Photograph 2.2 | Northcenter News, Press building, 2050 W. Irving Park Road, exterior view | circa 1960s |
| Photograph 1.13 | WKBI Radio, Fred L. Schoenwolf and Charles Wermich (left to right) pose with a pen and document. They owned and operated radio station WKBI, (Well Known Banking Institution) located on the top floor of the Lincoln Trust and Savings Bank. | circa 1925 |
| Photograph 1.14 | WKBI Radio, Charles Wermich, co-owner of WKBI Radio, poses with a microphone. | circa 1925 |
| Photograph 1.15 | WKBI Radio, Charles Wermich, co-owner of WKBI Radio, poses with a microphone and newspaper. | circa 1925 |
| Photograph 1.16 | Weiblinger’s Saloon, on Ashland Avenue, near Berteau Avenue, interior view. | circa 1899 |
| Photograph 1.17 | Weiblinger’s Saloon, on Ashland Avenue, near Berteau Avenue, exterior view. | circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.18 | Weiblinger’s Saloon, on Ashland Avenue, near Berteau Avenue, interior view. | circa 1910 |
Series 2: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Subseries B: Clubs and Organizations, 1917-1975
| Photograph 1.19 | Bell-Park Servicemen’s Club, outdoor program to honor servicemen | 1943 |
| Photograph 1.20 | Bell-Park Servicemen’s Club, outdoor program to honor servicemen | 1943 |
| Photograph 1.21 | Bell-Park Servicemen’s Club, outdoor program to honor servicemen | 1943 |
| Photograph 1.22 | Bell-Park Servicemen’s Club, outdoor block dedication program at Western and Cuyler Avenues | circa 1943 |
| Photograph 1.23 | Bell-Park Servicemen’s Club, group photo of organizers | 1947 |
| Photograph 1.39 | Court Fullerton Number 29, 1912, 1914, 1915 Championship U.O.F. baseball league, group photo | 1925 |
| Photograph 1.24 | Kiwanis, Ravenswood chapter, minstrel show | 1938 |
|
Photograph 1.25 oversize |
Kiwanis, Ravenswood chapter, minstrel show | 1938 |
| Photograph 1.27 oversize | Lincoln, Damen, and Irving Park Businessmen’s Association second annual dinner, group photo seated at tables | 1917 February 12 |
| Photograph 1.26 | Lincoln, Damen, and Irving Park Businessmen’s Association dinner, group photo seated at tables | circa 1940s |
| Photograph 1.28 | Lions Club, Northcenter chapter, group photo with food baskets to be delivered to the needy | circa 1920s |
| Photograph 1.37 oversize | North Side Printers Guild, dinner dance at Morrison Hotel, group photo | 1950 |
| Photograph 1.29 | Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, hosting dinner at USO Center (United Service Organizations) for members of the military | 1973 October |
| Photograph 1.30 | Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, honoring Marie Wermich | 1975 |
| Photograph 1.31 | Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, honoring Marie Wermich | 1975 |
| Photograph 1.32 | Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, “Old Timers’ Night” dinner | circa 1975 |
| Photograph 1.33 | Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, “Old Timers’ Night” dinner | circa 1975 |
| Photograph 1.35 | Northcenter Commercial Association, crossing guards pose outside of Wrigley Field | circa 1935 |
| Photograph 1.36 | Northcenter Commercial Association, promotion for Lincoln National Bank, group photo | circa 1940 |
| Photograph 1.34 | Northcenter Commercial Association, beauty contest winner | circa 1940s |
| Photograph 1.3 | Northcenter Merchants, group photo with food baskets to be delivered to the needy | circa 1920s |
| Photograph 1.11 | Northcenter Merchants, Christmas gifts supplied by Northcenter merchants in lobby of North Center Theatre, 4031 N. Lincoln Avenue, interior view of lobby | circa 1940s |
Series 2: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Subseries C: Parks, circa 1934
| Photograph 1.40 | California Park, swimming pool in summertime | circa 1934 |
Series 2: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Subseries D: Portraits, 1890-1983, undated
| Photograph 1.41 | Burns, Robert, portrait | circa 1971 |
| Photograph 1.42 | O’Shea, John, (on horse) poses with 2 unidentified men | circa 1950s |
| Photograph 1.43 | O’Shea, John, in uniform on horse | 1940 February 29 |
| Photograph 1.44 | Weiblinger, Grandpa, seated in chair with newspaper | undated |
| Photograph 1.47 | Weiblinger, Elizabeth Samuelson, riding a bike | circa 1890s |
| Photograph 2.5 | Weiblinger, Elizabeth Samuelson, portrait | circa 1895 |
| Photograph 1.48 | Weiblinger, Frances, portrait, Marie's great aunt | circa 1900s |
| Photograph 1.45 | Weiblinger, Joseph, portrait | circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.46 | Weiblinger, Joseph, standing outside in winter | circa 1910 |
| Photograph 1.50 | Weiblinger, Mary, seated at table | circa 1900s |
| Photograph 1.51 | Weiblinger, Mary, portrait, wearing a hat | circa 1900s |
| Photograph 1.54 | Wermich, Clarence, portrait as a young man | circa 1910s |
| Photograph 1.55 | Wermich, Clarence, portrait, standing outside with camera | circa 1950s |
| Photograph 1.56 | Wermich, Clarence, snapshot | circa 1960s |
| Photograph 1.58 | Wermich, Clarence holding daughter LaVerne | circa 1920 |
| Photograph 1.59 | Wermich, Clarence, Marie, and LaVerne with Aunt Mabel at a beach | circa 1921 |
| Photograph 2.7 | Wermich, Clarence, Marie and LaVerne pose with car | 1923 |
| Photograph 1.73 oversize | Wermich, Clarence and Marie, portrait | circa 1940 |
| Photograph 1.69 | Wermich, Clarence and Marie on 25th wedding anniversary, with group | 1944 |
| Photograph 1.70 | Wermich, Clarence and Marie on 25th wedding anniversary, holding newspapers | 1944 January 26 |
| Photograph 1.71 | Wermich, Clarence, Marie, and LaVerne Wermich, portrait | circa 1945 |
| Photograph 1.52 | Wermich, Fred, holding a fish | undated |
| Photograph 1.53 | Wermich, Fred, standing outside wearing a hat | circa 1950s |
| Photograph 1.63 | Wermich, LaVerne, sitting in a chair | 1921 |
| Photograph 1.64 | Wermich, LaVerne, standing in backyard | circa 1923 |
| Photograph 2.8 | Wermich, LaVerne, standing in backyard | circa 1923 |
| Photograph 1.62 | Wermich, LaVerne, in a ballerina costume, portrait | circa 1924 |
| Photograph 1.66 oversize | Wermich, LaVerne with group at Hoffman dancing school | circa 1925 |
| Photograph 1.65 | Wermich, LaVerne, in bathing suit in backyard | circa 1926 |
| Photograph 1.67 | Wermich, LaVerne, on a pony in front of apartment building | circa 1928 |
| Photograph 1.68 | Wermich, LaVerne, high school graduation portrait | 1938 |
| Photograph 1.72 | Wermich, LaVerne, portrait | circa 1950s |
| Photograph 1.49 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger, age 7, portrait | circa 1909 |
| Photograph 2.3 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger, First Communion portrait | circa 1911 |
| Photograph 2.4 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger, First Communion portrait | circa 1911 |
| Photograph 1.61 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger and daughter LaVerne, portrait | circa 1925 |
| Photograph 1.74 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger and daughter LaVerne, portrait | circa 1983 |
| Photograph 1.57 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger, in a car | circa 1910s |
| Photograph 2.6 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger, in a car | 1923 |
| Photograph 1.60 | Wermich, Marie Weiblinger, portrait | 1965 |
Series 2: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Subseries E: Residences, 1940-1960
| Photograph 1.75 | 5855 N. Forest Glen Avenue, Wermich residence, exterior view | circa 1940s |
| Photograph 1.76 | 5855 N. Forest Glen Avenue, Wermich residence, exterior view | circa 1940s |
| Photograph 1.77 | 5855 N. Forest Glen Avenue, Wermich residence, exterior view in winter | circa 1960 |
Series 2: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated
Subseries F: Street Scenes, 1900-1948
| Photograph 2.1 | Irving Park Road, streetcar on Irving Park Road, looking west towards St. Benedict's Church | 1948 |
| Photograph 1.78 | Lincoln and Damen Avenues, intersection with Irving Park Road, looking southeast from Lincoln Avenue | 1900 |
| Photograph 1.79 | Lincoln and Damen Avenues, intersection with Irving Park Road, looking south from Irving Park Road at Lincoln Avenue | 1900 |
| Photograph 1.38 | Lincoln and Damen Avenues, intersection with Irving Park Road, looking north from Damen Avenue | circa 1910 |
