Today in Chicago History: Dick Portillo opens a hot dog stand in Villa Park

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 5, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 85 degrees (1988)
  • Low temperature: 18 degrees (1995)
  • Precipitation: 2.58 inches (1947)
  • Snowfall: 9.4 inches (1982)
The Chicago Blackhawks used minor-league goalie Alfie Moore for the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 5, 1938. The Hawks won 3-1. (Chicago Tribune)

1938: Alfie Moore — a minor league goalie — suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Maple Leafs in Toronto in the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals series after their goalie Mike Karakas suffered a broken toe.

Moore was found drinking in a Toronto pub then helped to sober up before the game. Moore only allowed one goal in the Hawks’ 3-1 win.

He was declared ineligible by the president of the NHL and didn’t play for the team again. After the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, however, he was reportedly given $300 and a gold watch for his efforts.

WGN-TV newsreel photographers Fred Giese, left, and Leonard Bartholomew, right, shoot pictures in front of Tribune Tower on March 22, 1948. This photo ran on April 9, 1948 with the announcement that WGN-TV had started its transmission. Both Giese and Bartholomew were the first cameramen appointed to the eight man WGN-TV Newsreel staff. Giese was WGN-TV's assignment editor. (William G. Loewe/Chicago Tribune)
WGN-TV newsreel photographers Fred Giese, left, and Leonard Bartholomew shoot pictures in front of Tribune Tower on March 22, 1948. This photo ran on April 9, 1948, with the announcement that WGN-TV had started its transmission. Both Giese and Bartholomew were the first cameramen appointed to the eight-man WGN-TV Newsreel staff. Giese was WGN’s assignment editor. (William G. Loewe/Chicago Tribune)

1948: WGN-TV Ch. 9 began broadcasting from Tribune Tower. The first program — “WGN-TV Salute  to Chicago” — was delivered “to screens as far away as 45 miles,” the Tribune reported.

Vintage: Early photos of WGN-TV in Chicago

Col. Robert R, McCormick, editor and publisher of the Tribune and president of the station, was not at the WGN dedication — he had a cold.

One month earlier, WGN-TV completed its first transmission: Golden Gloves boxing finals at Chicago Stadium.

On their way to the polls on Feb. 21, 1955, the family of Democratic candidate Richard J. Daley keep fingers crossed and wear smiles as bright as the sunny day itself. Youngsters proudly display campaign buttons as they accompany the mayoral candidate and wife Eleanor "Sis" Daley. Children, from left, are Eleanor, 14; Richard, 12; John, 8; Bill 6; Mike, 11 and Mary Carroll, 16. (Chicago Herald American)
On their way to the polls on Feb. 21, 1955, the family of Democratic candidate Richard J. Daley keep fingers crossed and wear smiles as bright as the sunny day itself. Youngsters proudly display campaign buttons as they accompany the mayoral candidate and wife Eleanor “Sis” Daley. Children, from left, are Eleanor, 14; Richard, 12; John, 8; Bill 6; Mike, 11 and Mary Carroll, 16. (Chicago Herald American)

1955: Richard J. Daley was elected Chicago mayor for the first of six terms.

According to this Tribune brief that was published in the Feb. 7, 1965 newspaper, Portillo's founder Richard (Dick) Portillo sold his original Dog House hot dog stand and his Great Dane by placing a Tribune want ad. (Chicago Tribune)
According to this Tribune brief published in the Feb. 7, 1965, newspaper, Portillo’s founder Richard (Dick) Portillo sold his original Dog House hot dog stand — and his Great Dane — by placing a Tribune want ad. (Chicago Tribune)

1963: Dick Portillo, then 23 years old, opened the Dog House hot dog stand in Villa Park.

The Portillo’s chain, which he sold in 2014 to private equity firm Berkshire Partners, was taken public in 2021, now has just under 100 restaurants in the United States.

Activist investor gets tough on Portillo’s amid national expansion

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