Over the course of this blog, we've already talked about two families, the Pritzkers and the Rices. The next one of these philanthropists that we're talking about is a gentleman by the name of Allen Turner. Allen M. Turner is the past chairman of Columbia College's Board of Trustees, but he first got his start in 1965 when he joined The Pritzker Organization, where he was eventually made partner.
With all of that success, Mr. Turner has been quite active in the world of philanthropy, with some of the highlights of his generosity being as follows: chairing the executive committee of Hyatt International Corporation, being the Chairman of the Board of the Chicago Mill & Lumber Company, as well as being the Chairman of the Board of McCall's Magazine. By the 1970s, his philanthropic interests had turned to the theater world. and he was the first chairman of the Victory Gardens Theatre, playing an instrumental role in steering the theatre towards financial stability. Later on, he served some time on the board of the Goodman Theatre.
But Turner's true area of expertise is in the area of the arts. He became the Chairman of the Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art in 1991. His term saw the museum construct its current building, as well as a Capital Campaign that saw the museum grow from a small storefront operation to the renowned institution that it is today. But his philanthropic efforts haven't been limited to just the MCA. Turner has also served on an art committee at the University of Chicago, as well as on the boards of the Art Institute, Pritzker Architecture Prize, and the Newberry Library, amongst others.
His generosity has been recognized by bodies around the world, garnering him honors such as the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Republic of France, being made an honorary Knight of Malta, being named to the Official Seat of The Hague, and many more honors. The city of Chicago recognized him for his efforts as well by designating a stretch of East Pearson Street with the honorific Allen M. Turner Place.
Showing posts with label Named Streets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Named Streets. Show all posts
Monday, August 5, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Day 180: Keep the Music playing-The story of Knuckles Way
So as you may or may not remember from our post about House Music, one of the main progenitors of House Music was a Chicago DJ by the name of Frankie Knuckles. But just who is Frankie Knuckles anyway, and how did he become the Godfather of House Music? Frankie Knuckles was born in 1955 in New York City, and grew up in The Bronx. Eventually he would start to study textile design in Manhattan, which is when he started to work as a DJ, playing tracks at a club called The Continental Baths with another DJ.
In 1977, he got the opportunity to come play in Chicago when The Warehouse opened up its doors. It was here where Knuckles received his most universal claim to fame. In his time at The Warehouse, the venue became known for its unique styles of music, so much so that the music they played was referred to as House Music, as in short for The Warehouse. Over time, that designation of House Music became inextricably related to the raw, drum machine edits that Knuckles himself was pumping out of The Warehouse's sound system every night.
After leaving the Warehouse in 1983, Knuckles started a new club called The Power Plant. 4 years later, that club closed as well, and Knuckles went into freelance work. For the past several decades, Knuckles has continued to work as a DJ, as well as releasing several records. In 2005, he was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his contributions to the genre. But in a move of more local interest, August of 2004 saw the city of Chicago designate a stretch of Jefferson Street that intersects the former location of The Warehouse as Honorary Frankie Knuckles Way.
In 1977, he got the opportunity to come play in Chicago when The Warehouse opened up its doors. It was here where Knuckles received his most universal claim to fame. In his time at The Warehouse, the venue became known for its unique styles of music, so much so that the music they played was referred to as House Music, as in short for The Warehouse. Over time, that designation of House Music became inextricably related to the raw, drum machine edits that Knuckles himself was pumping out of The Warehouse's sound system every night.
After leaving the Warehouse in 1983, Knuckles started a new club called The Power Plant. 4 years later, that club closed as well, and Knuckles went into freelance work. For the past several decades, Knuckles has continued to work as a DJ, as well as releasing several records. In 2005, he was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his contributions to the genre. But in a move of more local interest, August of 2004 saw the city of Chicago designate a stretch of Jefferson Street that intersects the former location of The Warehouse as Honorary Frankie Knuckles Way.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Day 106: The Cornerstone of a Community: Gayles Drive
As we've previously talked about, churches can be cornerstones of the communities that they reside in. The leaders of those churches are no exceptions. The Rev. Jethro Ward Gayles founded the Gospel Temple Baptist Church in 1956 at the age of 34. In 1970, the church moved to its current location on W. 103rd St., and it was led there by Gayles himself. By the time Gayles was 72, he had become as much a part of the church as the choir. On March 26, 1994, Gayles was hard at work compiling his sermon for Palm Sunday, which was to be that coming Sunday. But then disaster struck. An unidentified man snuck into the church and assaulted Gayle. In the scuffle, Gayle was stabbed several times, and he ultimately died. Even worse, the crime was never solved.
But that is not where the story ends. In the confusion and grief that followed Gayle's murder, a neighboring church sent over a 25 year old assistant pastor named Bishop Smith. Within a few months, the church was so confident in Smith's abilities that it offered him the pastoral position. Smith initially turned down their offer, but he later reconsidered and accepted the call. There were a few early bumps in the road, but within 4 years time, the church was doing great under the stewardship of Rev. Smith. But while the church is now thriving, Rev. Gayles' memory lives on. Both as a larger than life painting that hangs permanently behind the altar, and also in a named street. The city officially renamed the area at 10300 South Aberdeen Street to Dr. Jethro W. Gayles Drive. This way, the name of Rev. Gayles will live on long into posterity.
But that is not where the story ends. In the confusion and grief that followed Gayle's murder, a neighboring church sent over a 25 year old assistant pastor named Bishop Smith. Within a few months, the church was so confident in Smith's abilities that it offered him the pastoral position. Smith initially turned down their offer, but he later reconsidered and accepted the call. There were a few early bumps in the road, but within 4 years time, the church was doing great under the stewardship of Rev. Smith. But while the church is now thriving, Rev. Gayles' memory lives on. Both as a larger than life painting that hangs permanently behind the altar, and also in a named street. The city officially renamed the area at 10300 South Aberdeen Street to Dr. Jethro W. Gayles Drive. This way, the name of Rev. Gayles will live on long into posterity.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Day 82: "I invented a Chicago Classic and all I got was this street named after me!": The story of Drexler Way.
If there's one thing that we've seen by now, it's that Chicago loves it's natives, and it love its food. And when the two of them combine, then all the better! Abe Drexler was born in 1910 on the near South Side, right about where the campus of UIC is now located. When Drexler was in school, he was subjected to a hazing ritual in which he was roped around the neck and dragged up a set of stairs. An onlooker remarked that the fact that he survived that seemed pretty Fluky--hence the nickname, which he carried with him for the rest of his life. Eventually, Fluky started selling hot dogs out of a stand on Maxwell Street. Then, the Great Depression hit.
At that same time, Abe Drexler was hit by an idea. During a time where people at times lacked a pot to pee in, what if he could whip up a hot dog, load it up with veggies, drag it through the garden, and make a bargain meal out of a single hot dog? Drexler put this idea into practice, and the Chicago Style Hot Dog was born. The dog was sold for the meager sum of 5 cents, although kids could buy the delicacy for as little as 2 cents if ol' Fluky was feeling generous. Drexler continued to sell hot dogs well into his golden years before finally passing away in 1986. But that's not where his legacy ends. The City Council later pronounced the portion of North Western Avenue where Drexler first sold hot dogs as Abe "Fluky" Drexler Way.
At that same time, Abe Drexler was hit by an idea. During a time where people at times lacked a pot to pee in, what if he could whip up a hot dog, load it up with veggies, drag it through the garden, and make a bargain meal out of a single hot dog? Drexler put this idea into practice, and the Chicago Style Hot Dog was born. The dog was sold for the meager sum of 5 cents, although kids could buy the delicacy for as little as 2 cents if ol' Fluky was feeling generous. Drexler continued to sell hot dogs well into his golden years before finally passing away in 1986. But that's not where his legacy ends. The City Council later pronounced the portion of North Western Avenue where Drexler first sold hot dogs as Abe "Fluky" Drexler Way.
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