Barney Stellar

Interview Date: July 12, 1988
Interview Location: Narrator’s home, 6022 South Park, Morton Grove
Interviewer: Yvonne Ryden
Duration: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Introduction

Barney Stellar was born on Georgiana Avenue in Morton Grove. His father was a horticulturist who emigrated to this country and found employment with the famous Poehlmann Brothers Greenhouses on Lincoln Avenue. Barney can remember the many flowers grown there and the hobos Poehlmann’s would often employ.

In this interview, Barney recalls his childhood in Morton Grove with the four-room schoolhouse, the old stores and watching planes take off at the airport in town. He later worked for Baumhardt Brothers Garage, Philippi’s Chocolate Shop, and N.W. Foster and Son until his enlistment in the army at the outbreak of World War II. The rest of the interview deals with Barney Stellar’s war years and service experience.