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Elfert, Christian

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Black and white photo of police officer Gunnar Swalgren and police chief Christian Elfert. Village president Dr. Victor Sleeter far left, on the right of Swalgren, with Elfert on Swalgren's right. The men are standing in front of a patrol car. Harriet and Gunnar Swalgren lived at 617 East Prospect Avenue, which they purchased in 1944 for $4,200. The Swalgren's were both born in Sweden and came to the Chicago area in the mid 1920s. Gunnar Swalgren joined the police department in 1946; he worked a 12 hour shift for $190 a month, seven days a week. In the early days, Swalgren patrolled the village on a motorcycle, the only vehicle the police had at the time. Gunnar left the police for in 1971 with a final salary of $10,000.
Gunnar Swalgren

Record Type: Photo
An audio tape interview with Christian Elfert - In 1983 Catherine Shively interviewed several longtime Lake Bluff residents using an audio tape recorder. This interview is with Christian Elfert. Elfert was on the police force and later became Police Chief.

Record Type: Archive
Bronson Gridley presenting an award to police chief Christian Elfert - A 5 x 7 black and white photo of Bronson Gridley presenting an award to police chief Christian Elfert while Lindsey Van Vlissingen looks on. Bronson is wearing an American Legion cap
Bronson Gridley presenting an award to police chief Christian Elfert

Record Type: Photo
Christian Elfert - Christian Elfert, known as "Chris," was an important figure in Lake Bluff's Police history. He first arrived in Lake Bluff in the 1940's when his first wife bought a home at 309 Scranton Ave. At the time, he worked at an iron and brass foundry in North Chicago. He left the foundry due to internal health issues as a result from his heavy lifting job, after surgery he was immediately offered a job at the police department. Soon, he became the Chief of Police. The Christian Elfert Distinguished Service Award was established when Elfert retired. The Village dedicated an award in his name because in 1949 Elfert displayed "outstanding heroism far beyond the call of duty" when he risked his life to save a drowning boy in the icy waters of Lake Michigan. Around his retirement, 1969, his first wife passed away and he eventually remarried to Arelene Burmeister. Christian Elfert passed away in 1986 at the age of 82. Typed copy of Christian Elfert's 1949 report he made about saving Albert Leach from drowning in Lake Michigan. 1949 resolution, declaring Elfert a reward from the Village for his actions saving Leach. Three 1952 newspaper clippings explaining the controversy started when Elfert referred to the Knollwood residents as "hillbillies." Because every time an arrested Knollwood resident gives a Lake Bluff P.O address, the News-Sun headlines them as a Lake Bluff resident. Ruining Lake Bluff's reputation according to Elfert. One of the clippings covers his apology to the Knollwood residents. Article of an unknown date written by Susan Dart about Elfert's life and retirement. Two pages copied from the 1950 Illinois Policeman and Police Journal about the 1949 Merit Awards. Including Elfert winning the 1st award. The Village rewarded him with a citation of merit and $100. Article copied from the Chiefly Chatter comparing small police forces and large police forces. Using Elfert's Lake Bluff force to acknowledge the time and effort his small police force puts in.
Christian Elfert's Police Report

Record Type: Archive
Christian Elfert's Obituary - Christian Elfert's obituary clipped from the February 10th, 1986 News-Sun. Elfert served as the Lake Bluff chief of police for 22 years and left behind a legacy of excellent civil service resulting in a yearly distinguish service award named in his honor.
Christian Elfert's Obituary

Record Type: Archive
Gunnar Swalgren - Two obituaries for police sergeant Gunnar Swalgren, who joined the department in 1946 where he worked a 12 hour shift for $190 a month, seven days a week. In the early days, Swalgren patrolled the village on a motorcycle, the only vehicle the police had at the time. Gunnar left the police for in 1971 with a final salary of $10,000. Numerous certificates, citations and awards as a police officer and as a member of the American Legion Post 510. Letters of thanks and praise for his work as a policeman, including a letter from Max Wildman whose car had been stolen by two escaped prisoners April 16, 1960. He said that Swalgren set out on foot after receiving the call and with the assistance of Lake Forest police, the two prisoners were apprehended within thirteen minutes. Also an official commendation from the village dated April 15, 1948 for removing a " Marine veteran from the path of a speeding North Shore train from which both persons narrowly escaped ". An article from the March 14, 1947 edition of the Lake Forester, says that as Swalgren approached the Marine on the tracks, the latter stated that he was waiting for the train so he could commit suicide. An article from the Illinois Policeman and Police Journal for March - April 1948 with a photo and caption showing Swalgren receiving the 1947 Distinguished Service Award, along with Police Chief Christian Elfert and Lake Bluff Village President Dr. Victor Sleeter. A write up by Ellie Swalgren Borders about her parents and their house. Harriet and Gunnar Swalgren lived at 617 East Prospect Avenue, which they purchased in 1944 for $4,200. The Swalgren's were both born in Sweden and came to the Chicago area in the mid 1920s.
Gunnar Swalgren

Record Type: Archive
Gunnar Swalgren Gets Award - A black and white photo from article from the Illinois Policeman and Police Journal for March - April 1948 showing Gunnar Swalgren receiving the 1947 Distinguished Service Award, along with Police Chief Christian Elfert (L) and Lake Bluff Village President Dr. Victor Sleeter (far R). Swalgren joined the police department in 1946; he worked a 12 hour shift for $190 a month, seven days a week. In the early days, Swalgren patrolled the village on a motorcycle, the only vehicle the police had at the time. Gunnar left the police for in 1971 with a final salary of $10,000. Harriet and Gunnar Swalgren lived at 617 East Prospect Avenue, which they purchased in 1944 for $4,200. The Swalgren's were both born in Sweden and came to the Chicago area in the mid 1920s.
Gunnar Swalgren Gets Award

Record Type: Photo
Lake County Star - Lake Bluff League of Women Voter to Discuss Child Welfare. Mrs. Byron Karzas, 244 West Sheridan Place, is the hostess. Another meeting held at 116 West Washington, by Mrs. Paul Frederick and the last meeting was held at Mrs. J. H. Peters, 215 Oak Terrace
Lake County Star

Record Type: Archive
Lake County Star - REACTION TO THE PRESIDENT'S DEATH IN LAKE BLUFF - Quotes citizens of Lake Bluff on President John F. Kennedy's death. Lake Bluff Grieves
Lake County Star

Record Type: Archive
Lake County Star: "A Look at Lake Bluff" - Voters Polled on Lake Forest High School Over 100 Colleges Take Par in Lake Forest High School College Night Lake Forest Gets Dialing System Lake Bluff South Ravine Bridge Opened (pg. 40) over Moffett Road A photo of LAKE BLUFF'S WELL KNOWN Trail Tree, taken in 1955 showing Elmer Vliet's grandchildren Katie Bailey and Barbara Bailey in front of the tree. The marker on the stone next to the tree was placed there in 1986 by the Daughters of the American Revolution DAR.
A Look at Lake Bluff

Record Type: Archive
Naval recruit found dead - An article about a Great Lakes Naval Training station recruit found dead at 666 Maple Avenue. No date is listed but probably occurred between 1949-1950.
Naval recruit found dead

Record Type: Archive
Notice to Automobile Owners from Chief of Police - Notice to Automobile Owners from Chief of Police regarding the fees for Vehicle Licenses
Doc 2410

Record Type: Archive
Notice to Dog Owners - Notice to Dog Owners informing owners that all dogs must be inoculated and licensed.
Doc 3117

Record Type: Archive
Oath of Office Documents - Oath of Office Documents for the following people in the following positions: - Christian Elfert as Chief of Police - Leopold H. Grost as Superintendent of Public Works - Margaret Mueller as Treasurer and Water Clerk of the Village of Lake Bluff - Thomas Evert as Fire Chief
Doc 2965

Record Type: Archive
Oath of Office Documents - Oath of Office Documents for the following people in the following positions: - Leopold H. Grost as Superintendent of Public Works - Ethel C. Bowen as Treasurer of the Village of Lake Bluff - Christian Elfert as Chief of Police - Gunnar Swalgren as a Police Officer - Thomas Evert as Fire Chief - Ethel Barnum as Water Clerk of the Village of Lake Bluff - David Kuhlman as Building Commissioner
Doc 2964

Record Type: Archive
Police Chief Christian Elfert - Copy of a photo of Police Chief Christian Elfert, served in the Lake Bluff Police department for 29 years.

Record Type: Photo
The Lake Forester and Lake Forest News - The Lake Forester and Lake Forest News - CANCEL ACTIVITIES AT LAKE BLUFF SCHOOL TO CONSERVE ELECTRICITY - meetings of the Lake Bluff Badminton club have been cancelled because of the electricity conservation program now in effect in the public elementary schools. ... at the request of the Illinois Commerce commission that electricity consumption be cut by 25 percent. The ruling will also limit the Boy Scout troop; the American Legion volleyball team meetings and others. Gene Hall of East Prospect Avenue, will present his first recital at the Union Church of Lake Bluff. He is the son of J. H. Hall and is a sophomore at Lake Forest college. GRACE CHURCH TO GIVE STYLE SHOW - Mrs. Gunts of Oak Terrace is chairman of the project. The models will be : Mrs. Edmond Kulp, Mrs.Paul Heerens, Mrs. Robert Patterson, Mrs. D. Huszag, Mrs. Joseph Harris, Joy Klinkman. Mrs. Mary Attridge 81, of Sheridan Place dies in Lake Forest, the wife of James Attridge and mother of Wilbur Attridge. Charles LaHue of Foss Court, is General Superintendent and chairman of the board of Grace Methodist church. Christian Elfert, Lake Bluff's chief of police shows his new citation for heroism from the Illinois Policeman and Police Journal to Lee Dole and Albert Leach, young Lake Bluffers involved in a Lake Michigan ice mishap in January, 1949. The accident occurred when Burt Leach fell through thin ice 50 yards from shore. Lee, after unsuccessfully trying to save his friend, called Chief Elfert who rescued the boy at the risk of his own life. Grade Five - II will present an original play entitled A New Star in Our Flag. The play will open with "Father" Tommie Wells hearing from his "Children" portrayed by Beverly Muller and Billy Muto and director by fifth grade teacher Pearl Merrell. NEW FIRM OFFERS SPECIAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS - Stiles and Horne, on Western Avenue in Lake Forest, opened Saturday. A new kind of service will be offered, among them kitchen and plumbing problems, They also plan to run cooking schools for women's clubs, Girl Scouts and young brides. The firm is run by James Stiles, III, of Waukegan, Gilbert Stiles of Libertyville, who are sons of James Stiles, Jr. of Lake Bluff.
The Lake Forester and Lake Forest News

Record Type: Archive
The Pointer - Local Lake Bluff newspaper which contains headlines such as: Lake Bluff Chamber-Commerce plans progress in 1957 New members appointed to Lake Bluff Mosquito Board Lake Bluff Park District Lake Bluff Police Chief Christian Elfert asks cooperation Mrs. Thomas Bailey appointed director of Lake Bluff Educational Association Lake Bluff Ice Carnival Lake Forest Legion Auxiliary meeting Educational Association membership almost doubles Teens about town Lake Forest Recreation Trading Corner Green Thumbs
The Pointer

Record Type: Archive
The Pointer - Local Lake Bluff newspaper which contains headlines such as: Lake Bluff Legion comments Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber Lake Forest High School Lake Bluff Post Office About the Christmas Seals Lake Bluff Legion Auxiliary A must for all Lake Bluff Police department new look Good advice police department Lake Forest players Welcome Neighbor Lake Bluff Union Church Grace Methodist First Presbyterian Church Lake Forest St. Mary's Catholic Church
The Pointer

Record Type: Archive
Welcome to Lake Bluff Brochure - Welcome to Lake Bluff Brochure welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood and listing some basic ordinances of the village, in addition to some basic information on the Police Department, Fire Department, and Village Government
Doc 2989

Record Type: Archive
Wouldn't Change a Thing - Smith, John G.
1996

Record Type: Library