Sycamore High School
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There is probably no icon more significant to the Class of 57 than the High School. Not the new one, but OUR High School. Some of us attended Junior High here as well as high school and some of the best days of our lives were spent here.
Our High School opened in 1917 and the students that had been attending high school at the Central School building now had not only a new building but space for athletic fields on the 5 acre campus. Most of us can remember exactly where Miss Christian's and Miss Jordan's classrooms were located, and of course, Mr. Hauswalds physics classroom where most of us were first exposed to tiered seating. And a few of us knew just where Mr. Shrout's office was located. The saving grace to a visit to that office was the secretary, Sally Stevens. I doubt that any of us ever used the front door, but we all passed good old Abe in the upper hallway hundreds of times. The new high school was built in 1960 and OUR High School was sold at auction in 1980 and razed a short time later. When folks pass by that spot on State Street, most see a super market and a fast food restaurant, but the Class of 57 still sees OUR High School. |
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Leaning Posts
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Some referred to them as parking meters that were used to collect the penny when a car was parked in the adjacent space. But the guys in the Class of 57 knew that they were really Leaning Posts. You know, that vertical metal pole that you leaned against after a Friday night game while waiting for the gang to show up.
But all Leaning Posts were not equal. Those in front of Tonys were the special ones and those within 20 feet of Tonys were okay too. Though Tonys is gone, the Leaning Posts remain. And if you're driving a car you can still park it for a penny. But who'd want to park a car when you can lean for free. |
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Lahti Clothing Store
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Whether it was gym shorts or a Pendleton shirt, Lahti's was the place to find it. Ric Lahti opened the store in 1941 and operated it until 1966. It was sold twice, once in 1966 and again in 1970, but when the buyers could not operate it profitably, Ric took it back and it remained in its original location until the late 70's.
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At Christmastime, the store offerred a ladies line of Pendleton outfits and Alice, Ric's wife, would manage that line through the Holidays.
Ric was a golf pro at the Kishwaukee Country Club, but did you know that prior to opening the store, he was a part time model for Hart, Schaffner and Marx. |
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Besides offerring the men's clothing line, Lahti's also provided part time employment for several high school students. |
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The Little Red Popcorn Stand
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The Little Red Popcorn Stand has been in Sycamore since the 1890's. Originally it had wheels and was pulled around town by James Elliot who sold popcorn and candy from the wagon. In 1923, it was permanently installed at the corner of State and Maple, where it remains. I'll bet there's not a person in the Class of 57 who didn't buy at least one bag of popcorn there.
It was a perennial landmark and if folks unfamiliar with Sycamore were getting together, the meeting place was often "by the little red popcorn stand". |
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Coach Pete Johnson
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When Coach Pete Johnson returned to Sycamore for the school year 1951/52, few knew at the time what a mark he would make for SHS or what an icon he would become.
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Fleers Double Bubble Gum
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Teen Town
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Students maintained Teen Town and membership cards were issued. The 24th membership issued was to Carolyn Carlson. When you were at Teen Town, if you needed to leave for a short period of time, you could get a "pass out", but it was good for only ten minutes. The rules were strictly enforced. |
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State Theater
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Did you see any of these movies? |
