In 1915 the SS Eastland, commissioned to take Western Electric workers and guests to the annual summer picnic, capsized on the Chicago River. Among the 844 victims were 22 entire families. Below are 5 of the still standing homes. More information about the event and home locations of most of the victims can be found on CBA’s Eastland Disaster Victims Map.
At left is the former Cicero home of the Novotnys, WE woodworker James (33), Agnes (35), Mamie (9) and Willie (7). As one of the last bodies to be identified Willie had been nicknamed “little feller” by the newspapers, 7/17/24
The West Garfield Park two flat at right was the home of the Sindelar family. 38 year old WE employee George died with his wife Josephine (37) and children Adella (15), Sylvia (13), George Jr (9), Albert (7), William (3), The Chicago Examiner published a family pic. Josephine’s sister Regina Dolezal died with them. This was also the address for victims Catherine (22) and George Jr Wood (3). George Sr survived, 4/25/24
33 year old Robert Clark WE assembler, wife Marie (28), and daughter Eleanor (2) lived in this Cicero two flat at right, 12/7/23
Behind the tree is the former Cicero home of the Fenik family, James (37), Mary (29), William (7), Helen (4), 7/17/24. According to their July 31st Chicago Tribune obit James had been a WE glazier for 3 years. Pictures and grave.
WE foreman William Rossow (36), Mamie (36) Ruth (14), and Will Jr (4) lived in this home in the Austin neighborhood, 4/9/24. The Rossows are among the victims whose story has received a write up by the blog Posts in the Graveyard.
Contact CBA for a custom guided ridethat includes some of these sights and for gift certificates for the cyclists in your life.Also, these maps are some of the many layers on The Map, where you can plan your own ride, run, or walk around Chicago
