My father George Davis past away in 2020. He married Louise Schlick the daughter of Frank and Mae Schlick. George grew up in the Englewood area on Chicago’s southside from the mid nineteen thirties through the late nineteen fifties. Dad and I spent several days, weeks and months prior to his death on discussing his remembrances of growing up. Amongst some of the memories he shared was going to Chicago Vocational High School and the places he lived at while growing up.

Chicago Vocational High School (2100 E 87th St,) is a public 4–year vocational high school located in the Avalon Park neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. The school opened in 1941, the school is operated by Chicago Public Schools district. The school building was recently named in 2022 to the National List of Historic Places.

My father in his handwritten memoirs of his high school years at Chicago Vocational writes: “I was unhappy all 4 years, and my grades reflected that.” I own two high school year books my father had saved.

George lived with his parents George G. and Florence Marie Brose Adelsperger Davis. During these years that he was in high school in his junior and senior years the family lived at 62nd and Harper Ave in Chicago. The home was located next to the Sherwood School (now Hyde Park Academy High School) on Stony Island the street just to the east. Beyond their home and to the east was Jackson Park. According to my father this was “the worst place we ever had. It had one room a roll up bed and a closet converted with a two burner stove and oven. We had one large bath that was shared with two other families.”

Prior to the home they were rented at 62nd and Harper Ave they lived across the street from the Sherwood School at 6048 Sangamon in Chicago. They rented the second floor of the home and my dad noted that “there were no rats this time” at this home.

George began working at the Sears store at 63rd and Halsted while in high school. This area was considered Chicago’s “second downtown”.

My father’s favorite free time activity was going to the movies at one of the movie palaces then in business on Chicago’s south side. His favorite movie was Warner Brothers “God is my Co-Pilot“. They prayer (see below the movie poster image) recited in the movie was used during my father’s memorial services at Assumption Cemetery following his death.

“They who had scorned the thought of any strength except their own to
lean on,
Learned at length, how fear can sabotage the bravest heart.
And human weakness answering to the prod of terror calls, “Help us oh God”.
Then silence lets the silent voice be heard, bringing it’s message like
the spoken word.
Believe.
Believe in me.
Cast out your fear.
For I am not out there beyond the sky,
But here, right here in your heart.
I am the strength you seek.
Believe!

And they believed.”