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Lockout, union demonstrations mark hosiery business labor dispute

Last week’s question: The building in the photo was the scene of the most violent labor dispute in Kenosha’s history. What was the name of the company that locked out union workers for more than a year?

Answer: The now-demolished building at 2323 60th St. later became part of the American Motors complex, but it was the home of the Allen-A Hosiery Co. when built.

The lockout of the union workers, the American Federation of Full Fashioned Hosiery Workers, began in early 1928 and lasted for more than a year, leaving the community divided.

History Mystery: Geographer documented visit to our area in 1820

Last week’s question: Nearly 15 years before the Western Emigration Co. settlers came to Pike Creek, a traveler wrote in his journal about coming to this place, 35 miles south of the Milwauky (Milwaukee) River. What was his name?

Answer: If you never heard of geographer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft in a history class when you were studying Wisconsin or Kenosha history, you probably should have.

History Mystery: Kenosha man was ‘Edison of Underwear’

Last week’s question: What did Horace G. Johnson invent in Kenosha?

Answer: Horace Greeley Johnson was known as Kenosha’s Edison of Underwear for his design of a union suit for his employer, Cooper Underwear Co. (later known as Jockey International).

History Mystery: Lamb School existed nearly 100 years

Last week’s question: Where was Lamb School located in Pleasant Prairie?

Answer: The school was located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Sheridan Road and 80th Street, where Mitchell Carpets is located today.

History Mystery: Vincent-McCall Co. had long history in Kenosha

Last week's question: What was manufactured at Kenosha's Vincent-McCall Co.?

Answer: Over the 60-plus years the company and its predecessors were in business, they manufactured bedsprings, furniture manufacturers’ supplies, automobile seats, steel cots, couches and even lawn furniture.

Mezzo-soprano thrilled Kenosha audience with songs from “Carmen”

Last week’s question: What Metropolitan Opera star performed at the high school (Reuther) auditorium in Kenosha on Oct. 29, 1949?

Answer: Her name was Risë Stevens. She arrived at the Northwestern train depot four days earlier on Oct. 25.

Plaques mark street paving milestones

Last week’s question: Where can you find a plaque commemorating the 2 millionth square yard of concrete street paving in Kenosha?

This week’s mystery: You can find the bronze plaque in the middle of 25th Street, just east of 17th Avenue.

First Christian Church marks 90th anniversary

Last week’s question: What local church held services in a tent in 1923 until the tent blew down?

Answer: First Christian Church held meetings in a borrowed tent set up on a lot where Reuther High School sits today. Last weekend the church celebrated its 90th anniversary.

History Mystery: Farmstead eventually became Willowbrook Sanatorium

Last week’s question was a photo quiz, asking the name of the Somers farm where the Eli G. Runal family built their homestead, including the home tagged “The House of the Seven Gables.”

Answer: It was the Willowbrook Farm. The name may have been lost forever in obscurity if not for the health-care facility that took its name in the early part of the 20th century: Willowbrook Sanatorium.

Daughter of reverend who helped slaves escape became well-respected teacher

Last week’s question: As a child, Mrs. Kate Wheeler was witness to a federal crime. What was the crime?

Answer: Aiding a fugitive slave, which was illegal after the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law was passed by Congress.

St. James Catholic Church originally was St. Mark Church

Last week’s question: What was the original name of St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Kenosha?

Answer: St. Mark Church was the name originally bestowed on the parish when it was founded in 1844 as the first Catholic church in Southport, later known as Kenosha.

Local beauty contest winner cherishes 1944 ad announcing competition

Last week’s question: Who was chosen Miss Kenosha 1944?

Answer: Kenosha native Constance “Connie” Pilligor, who was 15 at the time. But she never received a crown — or even a tiny tiara — when she was chosen Miss Kenosha on Aug. 24, 1944.

UPDATE: Police ID man who presumably drowned off pier

The search has been called off for a man who presumably drowned off Kenosha’s North Pier Monday evening.

Motorcyclist killed in crash

One motorcyclist was killed and another was injured in a pair of crashes that occurred within hours of each other on 52nd Street.

Brighton couple bring out their Ford collection

When Don and Dorothy Spease decide it’s a nice day to wash their cars, it becomes quite a chore.

Hillside Hardware closes up shop

A small hardware store in Kenosha is closing its doors.

Late but worth it: Strawberry season arrives with a bang

Recent sunny weather and higher temperatures have helped ripen Kenosha County’s strawberry crop.

News briefs

A vehicle stopped at a flashing red light was rear-ended by an alleged drunken driver on Sunday.

Event briefs

KENOSHA — A Medicare chat group will meet 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, 7730 Sheridan Road.

Dental Association to provide $1M in free dental care

The Wisconsin Dental Association’s fifth Mission of Mercy event, where an estimated $1 million in dental care will be donated by dentists and various other volunteers to those in need, is coming to Lake Geneva later this month.

Kenosha County home sales soar but prices dive

Kenosha County home sales surged in May, jumping more than 37 percent compared with the same month last year, according to data from the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

Man suspected of stealing ATM card charged with armed robbery

A man suspected of helping steal cash by watching a man enter his personal identification number at a convenience store, then following him home and robbing him of his ATM card, is in custody, two years after the incident happened.

Coho Classic comes to a close

Anglers woke up at the crack of dawn Sunday for the final fishing tournament at the Kenosha Coho Classic.

News briefs

A Kenosha man was arrested after he reportedly lied about driving a speeding truck.

Snapshot: Engine machinist not afraid of the tough jobs

Jason Holmes has been attracted to engines since he was young. Now at age 33, he’s a veteran engine machinist at Don’s Auto Parts and Machine Shop, 5515 60th St.

Local man’s homemade fish tank is largest in North America

Most Wisconsinites don’t scuba dive. They definitely don’t dive in their living rooms.

Event briefs

KENOSHA — “T-Shirt Transformation” begins at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave.

Operation Dry Water seeks to thwart intoxicated boating

Local law enforcement agencies are working together to establish a safer boating season this summer.

Hospitals brace for changes from Affordable Care Act

Kenosha health-care providers are adapting to the new the Affordable Care Act as it slowly phases into practice.

Planting the seeds for healthy eating

“It’s going to be a little bumpy because we’re disturbing our culture, what we’re used to. When I was young, we used to save the bacon grease in a can. The thing I say is, be easy with each other. Be gentle. Give yourself some room ... The gentler you are with yourself, the more likely you are to get the benefit.”