4-22-14 and 4-28-2018

Chicago Heights and South Chicago Heights

Both are explored here together as we jumped between the two several times while seeking out the points of interest.  Chicago Heights is a city of 30,000.  South Chicago Heights is a village of 4,139.

This is the intersection of historic Chicago Road and Lincoln Highway. On your left, you could just see the President Lincoln display on this corner.

 St. James Hospital, where I was born in 1966.  The hospital is slated to close in 2018 and be torn down.

A statue outside of the hospital.

Across the street is a Veteran’s Memorial. I was a patient in the hospital on Nov. 11, 1979.  My room had a view of this memorial.  I was actually there on Veteran’s Day and I saw the ceremony from my window.

On the other corner is the Alex Lopez Park with two interesting monuments.

 

Another monument in South Chicago Heights, marking the site of the home of one of the first settlers in the area, Adam Brown.

Our biggest attraction in South Chicago Heights is the Hi-Way Bakery, THE destination for great pastries and conversation since  1939.  My family got doughnuts from there on Sunday mornings during my childhood.  On April 3, 2004,  John Koester became the new owner.

They are located at:

In April 2016, their doughnuts were deemed Chicago’s Best. See video here!

The iconic sign is the original and is in need of repair.  With enough donations,  John hopes to get it restored to its former luster.  This is what it looked like in the past.

Interesting history about the sign,  the pastry chef is speculated to be the daughter of the original owner.  Back then having a woman on a sign portraying such a respected profession was just not done!  They did it though and the sign is a piece of important history in South Chicago Heights.

Inside was warm and welcoming, likewise with the staff. It smelled so good in there!

 

We bought a baker’s dozen of fine pastries to take with us.

It was just after Easter and they still had a few lamb cakes left. So cute!

Thanks for the great memories and treats John!

Our tour continues with a stop at Gaby Iron and Metal, where we brought our recyclables. They are located at 2611 East End Ave. My girl scout troop brought in glass and bottles to raise money for our many activities.

In 1984 they had a neat keychain I still have.

Our last stop was the South Suburban Humane Society. My Girl Scout troop used to volunteer there, often walking the dogs.

That concludes our visit to both of the Chicago Heights.  It was good to revisit places I have been, plus see new things as well.