November 11, 1918, marked the official end of the fighting between the Allies and Germany.
Forest Park celebrated in 1918 as shown on this front page of the Forest Park Review. The headline “Forest Park in Victory Celebration,” reflects the jubilation of the day. The November 16, 1918 article indicates that the celebration started in the middle of the night, as Paris France, where the Armistice was signed on November 11, at 11 am, was early in the morning in Forest Park.
“The Forest Park fire whistle soon took up the businesses of pushing the good word on and were ably assisted by the ringing of church bells.
Several Northsiders held the record for being the first to awaken and the Review is pleased to state that it’s doors were open and widows ablaze with light as early as 2:00 a.m. Several loyal citizens gathered at this office and the shooting of sky rockets, cannon crackers and the sending up of tissue balloons fortified the first portion of the town’s celebrations. Commissioner H.C. Reich, Henry R. Heileman and Jos. Lamont acted as the masters of ceremonies.
The north side of Forest Park, usually considered “dead,” was forever whipped out of any stigma that might have rested upon it.”
The article goes on the describe the celebration and imprompt parade that ensued. The citizens all went to the Forest Park Ballroom (corner of Harlem and Madison) to celebrate.
The following year, 1919, Forest Parkers planned a huge celebration in the Forest Park Ballroom, to benefit the Memorial fund. Was said to be the largest event ever in the Ballroom, with over 1,500 guests. They had jazz music, donuts and bunco players.
The Forest Park Review listed all the service men enlisted on September 21, 1918. Visit the Forest Park Review historical blog on the our website to see the original list and the transcription of the more than 500 men who were serving our military from Forest Park during World War I.
