Is that a hint of chlorine in the air? You might think we’re near a swimming pool, but this is Schaefer Park. It used to be the site of the Henrotin Bath, a public bathhouse. It opened in 1907, one of fourteen established by the City of Chicago. Back then, many homes in crowded neighborhoods lacked running water. Public baths were a lifeline for hygiene and health. The city named the bathhouse for Dr. Fernand Henrotin, a prominent Chicago physician. He served as surgeon for both the fire and police departments. The Bureau of Parks and Recreation took over the baths around 1930. As living conditions improved, fewer people relied on public baths. Still, Henrotin Bath welcomed 24,000 patrons in 1945. By the mid-1950s, times had changed, and the bathhouse was aging. The focus shifted to creating a playground on the adjacent property. In 1957, the city transferred both Schaefer Park and the bathhouse to the Chicago Park District. The old bathhouse was demolished in 1971, making way for an expanded playground. Now, children’s laughter echoes where residents once enjoyed a soak. Schaefer Park stands as a testament to how times change, but the need for community spaces remains constant.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one