Manufacturer: Scammell China
User: Dells, The
Distributor: American China and Glassware Co.
Date of example: Circa 1925 – 1934
Notes: What would become The Dells started out the Huscher family's private home. As early as 1918, it was operating as a roadhouse, which was a venue that catered to people who owned automobiles and liked to combine a drive in their car with an evening of food, drink, and entertainment. The Dells, with tasty cuisine and topnotch live entertainment, became the best known and most patronized of the roadhouses in Morton Grove, Illinois.
What many of these patrons may not have been aware of was the series of shady events and connections over the years involving the owners of The Dells. One part-owner was shot by his partner. Another owner, Sam Hare, was rumored to have strong ties to Al Capone's Chicago organized crime syndicate. A 1926 robbery of $12,500, with rumors of illegal gambling, added to the behind-the-scenes story. Then there was the bomb that exploded on the front porch in 1929. In August of that year, a fire that started in the basement did considerable damage to the restaurant, but the fire did not stop the Dells from being open that same evening.
During the late 20s and early 1930s, a series of big-name bands performed at The Dells, which operated from May to September.
In his 1931 book "Dining in Chicago," John Drury recounted the draw of The Dells, minus its prurient side:
"Another well-known dine-and-dance pavilion among the Cottonwood trees northwest of Chicago. Everybody seems to know Sam Hare and his New Dells; he's had this place here for over seven years. It is three miles west of Evanston and the North Shore and its clientele is made up of innumerable captains of industry and capitalists and their wives and guests, out for an evening's diversion. There is room for nine hundred on the large dance floor, and music is supplied by such popular orchestra leaders as Ben Bernie, Ted Lewis and George Olson. They appear at different periods during the season and their lively melodies are broadcast over Station WBBM. Four floor shows nightly, beginning at 8:30, with a cover of $1.00. On Saturday night the cover charge is $1.50. Steaks, chops, chicken, lobsters, and frogs' legs are especially delectable at the New Dells and add considerably to the fame of the place. You reach the Dells by driving north out of Chicago on Sheridan Road, as far as Evanston, then west on Dempster Road. Morton Grove 1717."
On June 16, 1932, there was a shootout between members of a rival gang and the Cook County Police. If that was not enough, there was the kidnapping of a gambler in the parking lot in July 1933.
In 1934, the State's Attorney prevented The Dells from receiving a liquor license, effectively shutting it down. Owners Sam Hare and Louis Silversmith stated in court that they had spent $40,000 fixing up the place, and now $10,000 of food was spoiling.
On October 7, 1934, four men, armed with submachine guns poured gasoline throughout the main floor of The Dells, and lit a match. And that was the end of The Dells.
Scammell produced Trenton body china crested with "Dells" above "Morton Grove, Ill." The decal border of blue panels with fruit bowl is a pattern used by a number of other customers.
Source:
Along the Gradyent – A complete history with all the sordid detail
Contributor:
Larry Paul: author