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Lansing history
In keeping a community informed about current issues, a local newspaper also creates a record for history. As The Lansing Journal reports on community milestones and unearths old documents, those articles will be posted in this category.
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
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (April 22, 2022) - The original Lansing Journal newspaper was born...
Lansing history: How Lansing got its own museum
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (April 4, 2022) - “Oh look at this — what is it? How does it work?” We hear a lot...
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...
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....
Women’s History in Lansing: Winifred Edwards Gaetze – She led the library through changes and growth
From flashlights and coal, to storm doors and oil, Winnie Edwards ensured the library could meet the needs of a growing community
Above: Winifred Edwards...
Women’s History in Lansing: Opal Dewalt – She imprinted a generation of Lansing students
Yet little is known about the woman who led two of Lansing's schools
Above: Opal Dewalt was the first principal of Lester Crawl School, which...
Women’s History in Lansing: Dorothy Wernicke – She brought administrative excellence to municipal service
Efficiency, honesty, organization, communication — Wernicke used her skills and experience to serve her community
Above: During the time that Dorothy Wernicke served as Village...
Video: Remembering the women of Lansing’s history
Old news about Lansing women becomes today's news thanks to Marlene Cook
by Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (March 11, 2022) – March is Women's History Month,...
Women’s History in Lansing: May Anderson Walker – She taught pilots to fly
Norwegian immigrant, Navy trainer, doll maker, and mom — Walker didn't consider herself special
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (March 9, 2022) – A tiny Norwegian...
Lansing history: Uncovering Lansing women’s stories
By Marlene Cook
LANSING, Ill. (March 8, 2022) - “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” That proverb was written by William Ross...
Former Lansing resident remembers decades of community involvement on her 90th birthday
Happy Birthday Delores Ryan!
By Josh Bootsma
LANSING, Ill. (February 12, 2022) – Milestone birthdays are a natural time to remember. For Delores Ryan, the celebration...
Lansing History: What’s that house behind Subway?
Lansing's Labahn House has ties to the Lansing Country Club, the Chicago Fire, and Al Capone
One of the services a newspaper provides is to...
55 years ago: Lansing remembers the record-setting 1967 blizzard
A look back at the Chicago area's worst snowstorm
By Carrie Steinweg
LANSING, Ill. (January 25, 2022) – January 26, 2022, marks the 55th anniversary of the...
Lansing history: The fire at First Reformed Church
Lansing's oldest church was reduced to ashes on Wednesday, January 24, 1945
One of the services a newspaper provides is to document history. And one...
Village of Lansing Flag is a nod to nation’s flag and Lansing’s history
Lansing's stars and stripes were unfurled in 2008, and point to national pride and local history
By Carrie Steinweg
LANSING, Ill. (July 3, 2021) – In...