Shorefront Journal
Uncovering stories is a part of Shorefront’s DNA

Shorefront Journal

Shorefront Journal is the official online publication of Shorefront. Occasional postings explore local Black history, work within Shorefront and welcomes contributing articles from the general public. The original journal began in 1999 as a printed quarterly. In 2012, the journal transitioned online with an annual printed version. Several issues of the original journal can be found at issuu.com/shorefront.

For submissions: Send articles and supporting images for consideration to shorefront@me.com

Re-posting: Please cite “shorefrontlegacy.org” when reposting any Shorefront media and publications originating from Shorefront Journal

Publications: Visit lulu.com/spotlight/shorefrontpress for all of Shorefront’s active publications through Shorefront Press.

In 1999, Shorefront Journal, in its original printed form, was released to meet the need of sharing these significant stories to the general public. Published quarterly, this informal journal gave voice to the many historical moments throughout the Northern suburbs of Chicago.

The journal also gave exposure to more than 60 contributing writers — students, professors, historians alike — and became a venue for writers to share their stories and skills.

Shorefront welcomes the work of novice and professional writers and will make every effort to assure timely consideration of submissions. CLICK HERE to submit.

Juneteenth: Celebrating and Honoring a Heritage

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is a day of celebration or jubilation. A day filled with: Entertainment, recreation, reflection on education and self-improvement, guest speakers and prayer services. A time where we recognize and honor our elders. . .and our youth. But lets think...

Nathan Branch: Early Evanston Settler

— by Rhonda K. Craven After the Civil War, a number of blacks moved to Chicago and then to Evanston. Among them were men such as Daniel F. Garnett, Green A. Bell, Andrew Scott and William Ender. Some worked for prominent businessmen and politicians, while others started a variety of entrepreneurial endeavors. In 1870, many...

Products and the Entrepreneurial Spirit

—By Dino Robinson While William Twiggs was a locally, and historically well documented businessman and an active member of several organizations, little has been mentioned about his wife, Martha Twiggs. Family decedents mention that she had a home-based business, selling wigs for women made from natural hair first at Oak Avenue near Church Street in...
Laura Belle. Photo courtesy of Bruce Allen King

The Grandmothers. . .My Queens: Laura Belle

—By Bruce Allen King I have been blessed with having a very close and deep relationship with both of my grandmothers. Laura Eubanks Hadley, born January 9, 1907 in Charlottesville, Virginia, was the daughter of John Eubanks. She never knew her mother and her father was, from all observation, a white man, but legally classified...

Eloise Marguerite Florence: 50 years of Decorating Interiors

— By Keith A. Williams Prosperity has been characterized in many ways but seldom has the criteria been to be of service to others. The Apostle Peter wrote, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.” These words were the lifeline of Eloise Margaret Florence...

Shorefront Memories #004

Bonus Thompson, from Bcauedan (Greenville), South Carolina and his wife, Leithe, from Georgia, migrated from the south to Evanston and lived at 2242 Dewey Avenue from about 1909 to 1910. Mr. Thompson was employed as a “tinner” at that time. A tinner generally shaped and molded with tin. It was used in a variety of...
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