Record #: SOr2012-743   
Type: Order Status: Passed
Intro date: 12/12/2012 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Transportation and Public Way
Final action: 1/17/2013
Title: Installation of commemorative plaque on Clark Street Bridge in honor of Herman Schuenemann and loss of "Rouse Simmons" (Christmas tree schooner)
Sponsors: Reilly, Brendan
Attachments: 1. SOr2012-743.pdf, 2. Or2012-743.pdf
Committee on Transportation and Public Way City Council Meeting, December 12, 2012 Alderman Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward Substitute Order
 
SUBSTITUTE ORDER
 
WHEREAS, For over 25 years Herman Schuenemann, known as "Captain Santa," brought a shipload of Christmas trees to the southwest corner of the Clark Street Bridge each Christmas season to sell and give away to those in need;and
 
WHEREAS, Herman Schuenemann's "Christmas tree ship" was well known to Chicagoans, who looked forward to its arrival each year; and
 
WHEREAS, Mr. Schuenemann made yearly voyages to the upper peninsula of Michigan to bring Christmas trees to Chicago. The influx of German settlers in the Chicago area with their Christmas tree customs helped make this a successful venture; and
 
WHEREAS, Mr. Schuenemann was one of about 50 captains that shipped Christmas trees on Lake Michigan from 1880-1920, he sold directly to the public; and
 
WHEREAS, One hundred years ago on November 23, 1912, the schooner "Rouse Simmons" sank near Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The schooner was likely overloaded with trees and the entire crew perished; and
 
WHEREAS, After his death, his wife Barbara carried on by transporting the trees by rail then transferring them to the schooner "Oneida" which was docked on the Chicago River. She carried this on until her death in 1933; and
 
WHEREAS, To honor the memory of Herman Schuenemann and the loss of the "Rouse Simmons", the honorable Brendan Reilly is authorizing and directing the installation of a plaque on the Clark Street Bridge, which sits in the 42nd Ward; now, therefore
 
BE IT ORDERED, In the event that a commemorative plaque, in form and content acceptable to the Commissioner of Housing and Economic Development, is provided to the City at no cost to the City, then the Commissioner of Transportation shall install said plaque in a suitable location on the Clark Street Bridge.
 
 
      j
Brendan Reilly Alderman, 42nd Ward
 
 
CITY COUNCIL
City of Chicago
COUNCIL CHAMBER
City Hall—Second Floor 121 North LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60602 telephone: 31 2-744-4096
FAX: 312-744-8155
committee memberships
Transportation & Public Way (Chairman)
Budget and Government Operations
Committees, Rules and Ethics
Education and Child Development
Finance
Public Safety
 
Workforce Development and Audit
ANTHONY A. BEALE
 
Alderman, 9th Ward 34 East 11 2th Place Chicago, Illinois 60628 telephone: (773) 785-1100
Fax: (773) 785-2790
e-mail: wardo9@cityofchicago.org      January 14, 2013
 
 
 
 
To the President and Members of the City Council:
 
 
 
Your Committee on Transportation and Public Way begs leave to report and recommend that Your Honorable Body pass To commemorate the memory of Herman Schuenemann,  known as "Captain Santa"    and the loss of the "Rouse Simmons" schooner incident that occurred on November 23,   1912,  by installing a plaque on the Clark Street Bridge.    This ordinance was referred to the Committee on December 12, 2012.
 
This recommendation was concurred unanimously by a viva voce vote of the members of the Committee with no dissenting vote.
(Ward 42)
Respectfully submitted,
 
Anthony^B'eale, Chairman