Marlene Cook
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Marlene Cook is a Lansing resident who loves learning and writing about local history. A member of the Illinois Women's Press Association since 1973, she has won multiple IWPA awards. Her 2020 awards in the Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest included first place for columns and second place for nonfiction book in the history category.
Lansing history: The Lans Theater building
From movie theater to pizza parlor, a unique venue has overcome difficulties to serve the community
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (September 13, 2022) - It was in September 1945 that The Times first reported, “Plans and specifications have been completed for a $100,000 movie theater in Lansing. The land has...
Lansing history: Stories of Lansing street names
Fred, Ada, William, Henry, and others were people before they were streets
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (August 13, 2022) - Have you ever wondered how a street got its name? There are approximately 125 street names in Lansing — not counting the numbered streets — and more than seven square...
Lansing history: Rispens Seeds, a growing family business
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (July 2, 2022) - The year was 1918. A young and restless Martin Rispens, who would reach his 18th birthday on December 3, was dreaming of what opportunities he might have in America, “the land of milk and honey.”So he left his moder Antje, his...
Lansing history: Lan-Oak Park – 20 acres of community spirit
LANSING, Ill. (June 2, 2022) - Lansing families owe a debt of gratitude to Dorothy Olas and all who joined her in 1947 in a mission to create a place for children to play. Their work led to the development of Lansing’s first park — Lan-Oak Park.
From pinochle to...
Lansing history: Collected facts about the Lansing News Agency
LANSING, Ill. (April 22, 2022) - In days of yore, the newspaper business required a lot more than publishers, journalists, and editors. There were proofreaders, page layout crews, headline writers, typesetters, printers, distributors, truck drivers, and let’s not forget the young carriers, who at that time were called newsboys.The...
Lansing history: From a single typewriter, to rolls of newsprint, to a team of laptops
The Lansing Journal's story is one of necessity and community
LANSING, Ill. (April 22, 2022) - The original Lansing Journal newspaper was born out of necessity and survival. The year was 1931, and the Great Depression was changing lives. There were no jobs. Banks were closing. Families were forced to...
Lansing history: How Lansing got its own museum
LANSING, Ill. (April 4, 2022) - “Oh look at this — what is it? How does it work?” We hear a lot of those kinds of questions from youth who visit the Lansing Historical Museum. The museum houses a lot of hands-on items from days of yore just waiting...
Women’s History in Lansing: Agnes Smithgall and Rilla Zabel – They created a clothing store for kids
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (March 28, 2022) – Agnes Smithgall worked in the business office of Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Hammond. Rilla Zabel worked as a buyer and clerk in a Hammond department store. They didn’t know each other until one day Smithgall approached the counter as a...
Women’s History in Lansing: Julia Gault – She sued against a mandatory retirement age for teachers
TF South teacher Julia Gault didn't think a mandatory retirement at 65 was right — and a federal appeals court agreed
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (March 21, 2022) – TF South biology teacher Julia Gault made national history when she filed a lawsuit against mandatory retirement at age 65.
Julia Gault:...
Women’s History in Lansing: Winifred Edwards Gaetze – She led the library through changes and growth
Winifred Edwards Gaetze was Lansing’s head librarian for 20 years. (Photo courtesy of the Lansing Historical Society)