A Brief History of FitzGerald's

A Brief History of FitzGerald's. . , Special thanks to The Berwyn Public Library, Berwyn Historical Society, and our FitzGerald's fam for helping pull this together! , , 1919 . Sanborn Fire Insurance Map , First KNOWN appearance of the clubs. Still searching for the original title/construction date! Built as a "Hall". , , January 17, 1920-1933 , . Prohibition Era so like, who knows man , The identity of the "Hall" was somewhat lost during the 1920's, (or at least we can't seem to find any record of it yet) and was said to have been known as the "Oakwyn Athletic Club" (the name being a combination of Berwyn, and the city across the street from it, Oak Park, Il). , , October 25th, 1933 . Club Ritz , Near the end of the prohibition era, there is evidence of 6613 W. Roosevelt (the building that is currently Babygold Barbecue and part of the FitzGeralds property) being known as "Club Ritz". In an ad in Berwyn Life dated October 25, 1933, a Halloween party at the location can be seen along with live music provided by "Jack Lyon and his Club Ritz Orchestra". (See Figure A) There is also an ad in the August 16th, 1934 edition of the Oak Leaves, naming Club Ritz "Berwyn's Brightest Nite Club" featuring Johnny Martin's Orchestra. (See Figure B) , , March 11th, 1934 . Club Ritz acquires an unsavory reputation in a Senate Congressional Record on the repeal of Prohibition , Evidence of Club Ritz's unappealing reputation can be found in an article from The Chicago Herald and Examiner dated March 11, 1934 titled, "West Side Pupils Pack Dens; Children revel in Darkness; Brag of Liquor As They Fall" (ABOVE): , , "The Club Ritz is in Berwyn, but its dark booths and the sensual temptations they offer draw girls and boys from Austin and west suburban high schools. Gin fizzes and beer steins littered the tables. The reporters returned, guided by two Austin students, 16 and 15. The interior of this saloon is so dark that the reporters at first could not find their way to tables. It was late afternoon, and there were no other students in the place. But the waiter recognized the two girls as steady patrons. He carelessly pushed their school books aside and served them with gin bucks. Drinking at tables were eight unescorted young girls. This is how Chicago is heeding the solemn injunction to "safeguard our citizens everywhere from the return of the saloon and attendant abuses." , , August 16th, 1934 . Mob ties; well well, you don't say! , Not surprisingly, the negative attention and increase of eyes on Berwyn, and Club Ritz in particular, cast a negative light on the business. Furthermore, after being targeted by local authorities at the time as being connected with the mob, Club Ritz's doors were forcibly closed in 1934. An article from the Chicago Daily Tribune dated August 16th, 1934 titled, "Berwyn Mayor Aids to Block Old Capone Gang" details the closing of Club Ritz: , , "The club opened for a few days before a license had been applied for. Mayor Shay said when he learned "Machine Gun Jack" McGurn, Capone gunner, and Louis (Doc) Stacey, another well known hoodlum, were reported to be interested in it he closed the club immediately. Recently it was reopened under reputable management, he declared." , , [Text beneath photo of "Machine Gun Jack" McGurn:] , Also associated with planning the St. Valentine's Day Massacre! , , 1934-1935 . Club Ritz , Genre's: Jazz/Rag-time/Big-Band/Blues/Dixieland/Orchestra , A.) Jack Lyon and his Club Ritz Orchestra , B.) Johnny Martin's Orchestra , C.) Bill Jordan's Orchestra , D.) Jacquelyn Browne's Harlem Revue , , 1935 . Club Whitehall , 1930s: As the United States reeled from the Great Depression, big band music became increasingly popular. Led by bandleaders like Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Chick Webb, the big band era thrived throughout the 1930s, inspiring new popular swing dances like the jitterbug and the jive. , , 1944 . Ranucci's Night Spot , Fun Fact! , Nicolas and Marcus Ranucci (pictured left) are grandsons of the former Ranucci's Night Spot and currently play every month at FitzGerald's with their band, Groove Witness! , , 1948 . Hunt Club , In addition to music at Hunt Club, Psychic Reader Betty Turner and Hypnotist Edmund Andrew were regular acts., 1962 . Deer Lodge , , 1980 . FitzGerald's Nightclub , [Captions for photos:] , Sonny Landreth seen here playing on the stage pre-A League Of Their Own" stage background change , , people lined up! , , Buckwheat Zydeco in the greenroom , , 1982 . 1st Annual FitzGerald's American Music Festival , Clifton Chenier ("King of Zydeco") and his Red Hot Louisiana Band, the Famous Potatoes, the Salty Dogs, Jazz Members Big Band , , March 2020 , FitzGeralds family retires and property changes hands to new ownership