The Hydraulics was a vibrant neighborhood in 1962. The neighborhood had two schools, five bars, two churches, a bank, seven restaurants, a drug store, a liquor store, three groceries, a hardware store, a furniture store, a post office, a railroad watch store, a laundry, a bowling alley, two service stations, two beauty salons, a cigar store, and two barber shops. Seneca Street was a lively commercial district. People were on the streets. Things were active.
The photo above taken by photographer Edward L. Kasprzak (Eddie, are you still out there?) in 1962, and provided to TheHydraulics.com by renowned playwright Tom Dudzick, is a window into these better days. The photo shows some of the Dudzick clan on Emslie Street near Seneca, on their way to St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (demolished) for a mass celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of Joseph & Veronica Dudzick, Tom’s grandparents. Clad in Jackie Onassis and John F. Kennedy early 60s attire, the family is passing Tony Milosta’s grocery on Emslie and Seymour Streets. In the background are some Seneca Street commercial buildings, including the Kamman Building, and behind that the Larkin Terminal Warehouse.
The above photo shows the same view today, a view that communicates hope. The Larkin Terminal Warehouse is now repurposed as Class-A office space housing nearly 2,000 employees. The Kamman Building is being renovated by Chaintreuil Jensen Stark Architecture to house its national headquarters. Things are looking up, projects are happening, and it appears to be only the beginning. Perhaps the happy days will be here again, though there’s still a long road ahead to get there…
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