The town of Harlem, which was incorporated in 1884, included today’s Forest Park and parts of River Forest. The Harlem Post was a local German weekly newspaper for the local German population. According to the publisher, a German weekly was necessary because Harlem, based on its population at the time, “is considered one of the most German settlements in Illinois, because the large German papers do not reach this area, and because most residents are not able to understand the English weekly papers.” Its first edition was published on Sept. 12, 1895.
The May 21, 1896 edition included the following notice:
May Fest of the Gymnastic Club’s Ladies’ Section
The Ladies’ Section of the Harlem Gymnastics Club is planning a wonderful Maypole Party for next Sunday. The fest will take place in Gaden’s great hall. Those who are familiar with the industriousness of the ladies’ section will be fast to admit that they spare no effort to provide a delightful and enjoyable evening for guests at every one of their parties. That will also be the case this time. The planning committee has put together an extensive and interesting program, which includes, among other activities, a great performance of a dance around the Maypole by the ladies.
The festivities will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are 25 cents per person and available at John Gaden’s, D. Junker’s and Rob Gladrow’s in Harlem and D. Pages in Oak Park.
Translated by Uli Leib
