1960 – A Look Back Sixty Years: Part 1 – January to June Frank Vargo September 2020

If you were alive in 1960, you may remember some of the important events that were taking place in our country and especially in our Whiting and Robertsdale areas. If you are too young, you might be surprised to see what Whiting/Robertsdale was like sixty years ago.

The beginning of the decade of the 1960s was a time of peace and prosperity for most of America. There were of course exceptions to this statement. Not everyone shared equally in the American dream, but that is how it has always been over the centuries in every country on earth. No one could see the seeds that were deeply stirring beneath our homeland. Given time and the right circumstances, these seeds would lead to a revolution in personal freedom, government, music, protest, war and civil rights. But that was still a few years away. 1960 began with optimism and the hope that the good times of the 1950s would continue.

The following is a short list of the stories and events of the year 1960 for the first six months of the year as printed in the pages of the Times-Grafic, the hometown newspaper of the Whiting and Robertsdale area. The paper cost only 10 cents an issue and its business office was located at 1846 Indianapolis Blvd.

January

The New Year began with the administration of the oath of office to Mayor Mary Bercik and all city officials, both elected and appointed. This took place on January 1st at 1 pm.

Three Standard Oil Service Stations, Bercik’s at 1232 119th Street, Gold’s Auto Service at the corner of 121st Street and Indianapolis Blvd, and Dave Hajduch’s Station at 2300 Indianapolis Blvd. all advertised together the benefit of the new improved Standard Oil gasoline.

Miss Pauline Schlechty was named “Teacher of the Year” by the Whiting Women’s Club. Miss Schlechty is both the principal and a teacher at South Side School.

Indiana University was offering college classes at its East Chicago campus located at 3901 Indianapolis Blvd.

January 29 marked the grand opening of the “New Hoosier Theatre” and their giant cinemascope screen. Free flowers for the ladies and free cigars for the gents were given away.

February

Burger Chef, located at 1457 Indianapolis Boulevard, offered “Pure Beef Hamburgers with French Fries” - 5 for only $1.00.

Walter E. Schrage announced a major remodel of the Bank of Whiting. It will include a new fireproof roof on the 119th Street bank.

A special “Leap Year Party and Dance” will be held at Runick’s Lounge and Dining Room. Anyone who has a February 27th birthday will be admitted for no charge.

March

Dairy Queen, located at 1441 Indianapolis Boulevard, is offering a “Spring Re-Opening” special – 11 Dilly Bars for 89 cents.

The newly remodeled Newberry’s will open their luncheonette with a Thursday special – a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings for only 68 cents. Friday is even better – “All you can eat fish dinner with fries and cole slaw” for 63 cents.

The Hoosier Theater, on March 15, 16 and 17 will feature the showing of the first Slovak color film – Rodna’ Zem (Native Land), a tender love story.

Dino’s Pizza, formerly Baker Boy, is now open at 1932 Calumet Avenue. A small sausage pizza is $1.10 while a large sausage pizza is $2.40.

Another Grand opening – Park View Foods at 1836 Calumet Avenue.

April

Almost all Whiting stores will be closing on Good Friday from 12 noon to 3 pm. All of the banks in town will only be open until noon.

St. Adalbert’s Holy Name Society is sponsoring its annual smoker on April 14. Guests are Ted Kluszewski and “Jungle Jim” Rivera of the “Go Go White Sox” who won the American League pennant in 1959. Admission - $2.00.

Movie and television star Ronald Reagan was the guest speaker at the Whiting/Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on April 25. The dinner was held at the American Maize Products Company’s Daly Hall. Over 500 guests attended to hear future president Reagan speak on “Business, Ballots and Bureaus.”

May

Primary election day found Vice President Richard M. Nixon outpolling Senator John F. Kennedy statewide in Indiana by a 54% to 46% majority. In Lake County however, Kennedy tallied a 3 to 1 victory with 47,614 votes to Nixon’s 17,106.

St. Joseph’s College of Rensselaer announces the establishment of a four year degree granting institution to be called St. Joseph’s College Calumet Center. It will open in September on Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago.

The newest discount store in Northwest Indiana has its grand opening at 1703 Calumet Avenue. Star Sales is now in business with a wide variety of items for sale.

The Reverend John J. Lach, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church for thirty-four years, passed away on May 9 at Mercy Hospital in Chicago after a major operation ten days earlier. He was a leader of the Slovak people in the United States and was very active in preserving Slovak culture by way of his Slovak newspaper and books. His band, made up of young men from the Calumet Region, toured Europe in 1937 earning rave reviews. During World War II, he was a leader of the war bond drives raising millions of dollars, and was instrumental in having three naval ships named after heroes of Slovak origin. He was 65 years old.

June

Located on Center Street, Saints Peter and Paul Parish marked their 50th anniversary with a three day family friendly celebration. It began with a solemn high mass celebrated by Bishop Andrew Grutka. Food, games, raffles, music and dancing also took place every day.

All citizens are reminded and encouraged to take part in the United States Census. (Note: The population count for Whiting in 1960 was 8,137. This was down by 1,532 people from the 1950 count.)

Planning continues for Whiting’s 4th of July celebration. It will be held over a four day period from June 30 to July 4. It will include a carnival organized by the American Legion Post 80, as well as an air show over the parade route beginning at 9:30. The parade will travel down Indianapolis Boulevard to 119th Street through downtown into Whiting Park. A fireworks display in Whiting Park, sponsored by the American Legion, will take place on July 3rd with the regular city display on the 4th.

The Whiting Little League opens its season on Saturday, June 4.

Shop Whiting for Father’s Day. Aronberg Jewelers had men’s wallets for $5.00, Winsberg’s had Arrow summer shirts for $4.00 and Lewin-Wolf sold Van Heusen sport shirts for $5.00.