Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Milan Mitrovic (Class of ’68), who also contributed the photo.
“One of the oddities I noticed as a “Freshie” at Roosevelt High School in 1964 was the Janitor’s Room. Two of the letters on the doors had been defaced so that it read “Janitops Poom.”
“At least one of the doors bearing “Janitops Poom” remains to this day. Mike W, a regular reader of this blog, commented that his cousin from the Class of 1956 remembers this:
This is a bit off the beaten path, but since we’re talking about “images”… I was asked by a fellow RHS alum about the wooden janitors room doors being “modified” to read “JANITOPS POOM”. Anyone know when that started? I remember that as far back as 1963. Maybe some grads from the 50s or 40s might know more about this burning question.
Mike W. (Class of ’67)
“So, having survived at least 62 years, I was wondering do any Rough Rider readers remember when it was created or how far back it goes and who was responsible?”
Editor’s note: My thanks to Milan for providing critical evidence that this mystery remains unsolved. Here’s our chance to collectively contribute to the annals of Chicago Public School history and ensure that future generations of Roosevelt High School students know the origins of “Janitops Poom.”
No doubt the statute of limitations regarding defacing school property has expired, but if you’re at all concerned, first names only is okay by me.
To read comments that inspired this post, check out an earlier post, Images of Roosevelt High School Part 4, and scroll down to the comments.
oops Ainslie lol.
Does anyone know what the name of an old hotel my grandparents managed in the late 60’s om Kedzie and Ainsley? I was 3 or 4 yrs old when I lived there.
Howard, one of my favorites columns ever has photos from the reunion game. Check out the post about Ned Singer.
I was wondering if anyone was at the
February 24,1996 1st Annual Basketball Game at Von Steuben between Roosevelt and Von Steuben with the majorty of the basketball players from the past, who played on the basketball teams at each school.
I did play for Roosevelt in this game, thanks to the Roosevelt coach, Manny Weincord. If you attended or played in the game please email me. I would love to hear from you, and hopefully have pictures or even video of the game.
By the way, Roosevelt won the game 51 to 50, and I did score two points faking out a 7 foot Von Steuben player. I am only 5 feet/5 inches.
Thank you very much.
Jerry’s comment regarding the police in our area triggered a comment I’ve been wanting to make for a while now… if anyone here remembers the Chicago police officer who directed traffic at the intersection of Lawrence and Kimball in the early 1960s, his name is Sam Ignoffo. He sells at Wolff’s indoor Flea Market on Rand north of Dundee on Saturday and Sunday. Still looks pretty much the same as he did back then. Stop in and say hi!
Mike
I remember the closet “Janitops Poom. I attended Roosevelt between 1957-1961. It’s still there?
You have great memories, Jerry!
Interesting. Lots of connections!
Hi Frances,
Normally I read the “Worked or Hung Out at Hollywood Kiddieland” string, but I have a contribution for your Albany Park/Roosevelt High School thread. Did you know that back in 1969, 70, and/Or 71 the malt shop many kids went to for lunch across Kimball Ave. was operated by Manuel “Manny” Blanco. This is the same Manny who was manager of Hollywood Kiddieland for the Acciari family “forever.” Anyone remember the malt shop?
Albany Park has always gone through a work in progress stage. In the late 1940’s, the indoor swimming pool was open week days and cost 12 cents to get in. The same price of a Cooper and Cooper hamburger across from the Rapid Transit el terminal at Kimball and Lawrence. It was a nice mixed of white neighborhood, white large pockets of working class Italian,Irish and Jews. The had a gym teacher Mr. Marks who was in charge. The smell of chlorine and echos of voices and kids having fun.
During the WWll era, The large gravel top campus were used for Civil Defense manuvers. They had mock battles with lots of fake smoke and sounds… that echoed off the surronding bricks. There was a lot of neon lights on landmark buildings like Scwartzes Bras,or rolling light bulbs of the Terminal and Metro. I remember those big wood street cars that made a lot of noise.
All you did was mentioned Roosevelt… and so many things that I remember. We were very fortunate… there was little if any crime. The Cops were mostly good… but always there are scandles. I seen it here and SUMMERDALE comes to mind. Orlando Wilson and the beat goes on. I can only think good thoughts when I think the old neighborhood. Inthe 11 years we lived there. I never hear a gun shot. Today,hardly an hour goes by that somewhere in Chicago it still happens.