Maywood / Broadview Neighborhood Organization

Remembering Maywood's Special Past!

Maywood Alumni Page....What's Up !

This page will be reserved for so many tid bits and memorable historical moments from Maywoodians who remain among us, yet they still retain an unremitting sense of what is was really like to live in Maywood...Circa 1949 - 1970.

Here's a website that I'm developing and I'd be interested in any constructive advice that lend itself to informing the readers...
http://syl109.tripod.com/rememberingmaywoodsspecialpast/

Conversations. From The Past.....Maywood Circa 1940' - 1970

It probably may come as a surprise to most Maywoodians, but I've written on, about, recorded one-on-one interviews with now deceased ( pioneers ), brain-stormed, taken photos of significent buildings, places and people ( at lease in my head!), and always have kept an eye on many of those plain, common folk whom never have been 'framed in proper reference to honestly, so to not only remember them properly, to truthfully illuminate the colorful, rich and important oral history of the African American legacy, that is Maywood circa 1940's - 1970.

The plain, everyday people who lived, worked and played in the Village of Maywood in those years, were some of the most extrodinary people that this country has ever produced. I know, because I have met and known many people from all walks of life, from around the world, in my life's travel's. And I am yet to realize, the level of daily wisdom, that existed in this community,in those years, to have existed anywhere else that I'm aware of.

Unfortunately, for the generations that have followed since, 1970 or so. Current Maywoodians, have not, even remotely understood, the historical significance of really delving in and documenting: What those former African American pioneers &( some are still here ) Maywoodians were really about.

Yes, old photos are real nice to look at. And momentos, are helpful, also. But, for those of you who bother to read, what I'' suggesting here. Let me say this.

This village as we speak, still has among it's citizen's some men and women who are the sons, daughters,etc, of some very intelligent, funny, inspiring, groundbreaking-acheivers and downright smart & wise Americans.

This was a community that could should have been, documented from a much more careful and overall perspective. Not just certain popular people. That will always happen any way.

But, as Stud's Terkel has demonstrated over the last half of the twentieth century. Te real history lies in what the average joe or jo ann, was doing.

Now, with the some of you Maywoodians who can or will call or email me. Sy Bounds. email sybounds@yahoo.com or maywoodforum@yahoo.com.

You are more than welcome to tell your stories right here. There are many stories to tell.

And we will interview and record them all.

Let the real oral history, telling of Maywood's Special Past precede>.....

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One More Thing, As We Continue On...........

'It is the voiceless people of the planet who really have in their memories the 90,000 years of human life and wisdom',

Alan Lomax,
American Folklorist
January 31, 1915 - July 19, 2002

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I'd like to start this week, to share with my first hand knowledge of a few really unique and very knowledgable folks whom are still in Maywood today.

(1) One of the brightest minds that you will ever come in contact with is that of Mr.Gibson of Bachall's hardware. Generations of west suburban folks who have shopped at Bachall hardware, are very grateful that Mr.Gibson was on hand when they had a hardware question or if he was the one to wait on them. You automatically knew that if there was anything special that you needed to know about your project or whatever you were there for. Mr.Gibson would locate the best possible information for you. You knew that you would wait until, he felt that he was done with you. To my knowledge Mr.Gibson has few peers, who have earned anything close to the respect & integrity that he given to this community. And in case the Maywood community officials and citizen's at large, can't bring themselves to say it, I will.

Thanks a million, Mr.Gibson. You certainly have been a great example for me!

Check back next week! Our history should always continue on in the minds of those who remain......

Email us
maywoodforum@yahoo.com