The USO Hospital Circuit provided entertainment for wounded troops in military hospitals, both stateside and overseas. Launched in 1944, the Hospital Circuit featured a range of performers, including lesser-known acts. In 1944 alone, the Hospital Circuit entertained 850,000 injured troops. This collection is that of the "Have Fun Company" that traveled from city to city across the United States via train in 1945-1946.
The Club Review dated August 12, 1915 was a publication "devoted to the interests of all reputable social organizations" in the City's southwest communities. The document includes several photos of the aftermath of the tragedy, including two from the funeral procession of William "Lil Feller" Novotny. The document also includes the stories of several survivors, and a list of people and businesses who donated money to the relief funds.
The Robert P. Jerich Collection contains dozens of unique historical documents from the Western Electric Company pertaining to the Eastland Disaster as well as the collection of Microphone newsletters. This parcel of the total Eastland Disaster Collection was named in honor of Bob Jerich. Read more about Bob here >>
The documents in the Robert P. Jerich Collection are archived at the Newberry Library while the Microphone newsletter collection is archived at the Chicago History Museum.
By the time of the last edition in 1985, the Hawthorne Works facility was moving closer to closing. The factory employed less than 1,000 people, making the cost of the continued publication of the newsletter impractical.
This collection includes nearly every edition of the 63.5 year publication. Note, however, that presently this is not a complete set: New editions are being added every week as the digital/searchable files are completed.
The Earl E. Gallas Collection contains the historical documents from the Cook County Coroner's Office as well as the undertaking establishments that serviced the victims of the Eastland Disaster. The Earl E. Gallas Collection is archived at the Newberry Library.
The William L. Braden Collection contains the historical documents from the American Red Cross that are related the Eastland Disaster. The William L. Braden Collection is archived at the Newberry Library.
The Russell L. Lewis Memorial Collection is archived at the Newberry Library and is available online in their Digital Collections.
