100 years and growing

Every year since 1985, the 103-year-old Illinois State Historical Society has honored century-old Illinois businesses and not-for-profit organizations through its Centennial Awards Program. Last October the Society hosted the Centennial Awards Banquet at Chicago's Palmer House hotel and gave out 37 awards, each winner receiving a plaque inscribed by Governor George Ryan and ISHS President Rand Burnette. For more information about the program or to receive a Centennial Award application, visit our web site at www.historyillinois.org, or call us at 217-525-2781.

The Eleanor Women's Foundation began operation on October 1, 1898, in Chicago's then-new Edwards Hotel, located in Dearborn Park. Established as a home for working women living away from their families, the foundation offered moderately priced, furnished, European-style accommodations for its numerous residents. Last September the Foundation closed its residents home but took a new step to ensure its future, becoming a granting agency and sponsor of programs for Chicago women and girls.

On March 21, 1900, the St. Paul Saints landed in Chicago. Two weeks later the team played its first baseball game as the Chicago White Stockings, shortening its name soon after to the Chicago White Sox. Since then the Sox has become one of the city's—and Illinois'—best ambassadors, at home in Comiskey Park and on the road. One of the four American League charter professional baseball teams, the White Sox is truly Illinois' "Team of the Century."

La Rabida Jackson Park Sanitarium opened its doors in 1896 on the shores of Lake Michigan. Founded by a group of women committed to helping the city's sick children, La Rabida established a permanent charity children's hospital in south Chicago. Today La Rabida Children's Hospital continues its century-long tradition of caring for children who have chronic illnesses or disabilities, or who have been abused or neglected.

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The first issue of Oak Leaves hit the streets on January 24, 1902, but its parents, the Oak Park Times and the Oak Park Vindicator, were well-established newspapers years before that. With such deep roots, Oak Leaves and its sister publication, Forest Leaves, covered the near west suburbs of Chicago for the next 60 years. In 1969, Oak Leaves was purchased by the newspaper group Pioneer Press, now owned by Hollinger International, Inc. Nevertheless, Oak Leaves today remains a strong, independent voice in its community.

Keil's Charles and Son Hardware, Gifts and Clocks has operated continuously as a hardware store in Belleville since 1858. The existing historic building, erected by Mr. Adam Keil in 1867, housed the original stove and hardware business. The interior design and exterior facade remain much as they did when they were built. Today the business is owned by Charles W. Freudenberg, great grandson of Adam Keil.

Since 1898, the Polish Women's Alliance of America has been a strong presence on the Illinois landscape. This Chicago-based not-for-profit has promoted, organized, and directed cultural, political, and artistic programs throughout the state. Today this forward-thinking group of women continues to bring aid and moral support to those less fortunate, while advancing Polish and Polish-American issues, heritage, and pride.

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