Committee on Special Events
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 captain 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 the installation of a plaque on the Clark Street Bridge, which sits in the 42nd Ward; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
BE IT ORDERED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this thirty-first day of October, 2012, do hereby acknowledge the loss and memory of Herman Schuenemann and order the Department of General Services install a commemorative marker; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Office of Budget and Management appropriate funds for an appraisal and a commemorative marker, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that a suitable copy of this r...
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