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.
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Brendan Reilly Alderman, 42nd Ward
CITY COUNCIL
City of Chicago
COUNCIL CHAMBER
City Hall—Second Floor 12...
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