LEFT: Peaceful times along Chicago River in the big city, business as usual.
RIGHT: Great Fire of Oct. 8-10, 1871; leaving mass destruction and hundreds dead.

LEFT: WECO President Enos Barton authorized to purchase 163 acres in 1903.
RIGHT: Job applicants line up awaiting hiring to commence construction.

LEFT: Spring of 1903, start of construction gives birth to Hawthorne Works legacy.
RIGHT: Tons of material and equipment are brought in by railroad cars.

LEFT: Construction almost complete (1904), future home of multi-functional shops.
RIGHT: Note three smokestacks and large water tank where park will evolve later.

These two pixs depict the back and front of the original headquarters located in
New York City and this building was completed in the 1890s.

LEFT: First building erected, Water Tower in 1903 housing our Fire Department.
RIGHT: 1910 Firemen outside on training maneuvers.

Construction about to be completed in 1905; left is the six story multi-function shops,
right is the adored Tower that was occupied by all Managers up to its' end in 1984.

Two pictures of beautiful downtown Cicero, IL as it looked back in 1900.

LEFT: One of the many trucks forming the early fleets maintaining phone service.
RIGHT: Probable touring car for upper management department heads, circa 1920s.

LEFT: TransAtlantic Cable lying effort to shorten time to deliver telegrams messages.
RIGHT: One of many ships financed to accomplished this enormous feat.

LEFT: SS Eastland readies to board employees for picnic to Michigan City, Indiana.
RIGHT: Eastland capsizes on Chicago River July 24, 1915; resulting in 844 deaths.

LEFT: Hawthorne's main Gate #1 looking from inside plant out to Cicero Ave.
RIGHT: Same outside, employees waiting to be allowed in to start work; 1920s.

LEFT: Depression hit everyone in many ways; who had $100 to buy this car?
RIGHT: Western provided many soup kitchens to ease some pains of the needy.

LEFT: Ladies at work and at play, at work sorting through thousands of cable lines.
RIGHT: Ladies Volley Ball team at Albright Gym; both pixs circa 1930s.

LEFT: Spirit Of Communications awarded for humanitarian efforts in 1914.
RIGHT: Famous Hello Charley logo on poster recognized by all employees.

LEFT: When introduced, VITAPHONE changed silent movies forever in 1926.
RIGHT: Next generation "Sound System" that ruled Motion Pictures for fifty years.

LEFT: Nice pix of Albright Gym located at Cermak Rd and 52nd Court, Cicero.
RIGHT: Manufacturing Junction Railway Company ( MJRR ) at work in 1925.

LEFT: US Army flyers checking out our newly developed Radar, circa 1918.
RIGHT: Testing our night vision gear, do you recognize this young female aviator?

LEFT: Some items produced during Depression, a Chess/Checkerboard combo.
RIGHT: Two matching statues for the dog lovers interested buyers, circa 1930s.

LEFT: Beauty Contest being staged in the latest swimsuits of the day, 1940s.
RIGHT: Basketball cheerleaders boosting team's efforts on Albright Gym court.

LEFT: Charley entourage posing in boat on our cooling reservoir for Power Plant.
RIGHT: Some real cuties target practicing in case Homeland Security should call.

Western Electric was famous for its' three Dances per year for their employees'
enjoyment, of course for a nominal fee....here are two posters revealing data where
to obtain tickets and where event was being held at; circa 1950's.

This is a copy of my paycheck stub ( we never had direct deposit ) for week of
Nov. 9, 1986; what I want to point out is that we got paid every Wednesday and
I made 753 dollars for a 40 hr week without overtime being a factor! NICE, ha?

LEFT: Employee parking lots being plowed for snow for snow removal.
RIGHT: Closer look at some equipment used for ultimate effectiveness.

LEFT: Nice scene inside the circle road, circa 1960.
RIGHT: Power Plant building that serviced entire power needs to all facilities.