History Of Chicago Alcoholics Anonymous
Chicago AA, which was the first area to have its own central office, has a long history and extensive archives.
September 1939: First AA group starts in Chicago
History of Chicago AA
Big Book published
the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, was published.
September 1939 : AA Comes to Chicago
“Earl T. and the Earlytimers” first meet in Evanston, Illinois, forming the first AA meeting in Chicago.
November 1939: Meeting moves downtown
Earl T’s Evanston meeting moves downtown to the Medical and Dental Arts Building on North Wabash, between Lake and Wacker.
Bill W visits Chicago
Bill Wilson made his first visit to the Chicago group
April 1941: Chicago Group divides
The Chicago Group was divided into ten sectional groups
May 1941: First central office opens
Chicago opens the first central office in the world
December 1945: Grapevine Published
The first issue of the Grapevine was published and was adopted as the national medium for Alcoholics Anonymous.
January 1948: Grace Cultice Dies
Grace Cultice, Chicago’s longtime secretary, friend, confidante, and inspiration, passed away.
February 1950: Chicago Daily News articles published
The Chicago Daily News ran a series of seven articles about AA.
November 1950: Dr. Bob dies
The nurse in attendance stood by his bedside. Co-Founder of AA, Dr. Bob lifted his hand to the light, and with a final confirming glance he spoke, “you had better call the family, this is it.” Following Dr. Bob’s death, Earl T. was chosen to..
Read MoreFebruary 1951: First Chicago Delegate to GSO Elected
With Bill Wilson in attendance, Luke H. was elected as the first Chicago Delegate to the General Service Conference. The Alternate Delegate was George T. Both were elected unanimously, and without opposition
February 1955: Chicago AA Incorporates
Finance Committee announced the incorporation of two not-for-profit corporations, one called Alcoholics Anonymous and the other called A.A. of Chicago Inc.
May 1955: Central Office Moves
The Chicago Central Office moved to 250 W. Wacker. Although the office relocated several times within the building, the address remained unchanged until December of 1996
October 1962: Earl T dies
The Chicago group lost its first sober member, Earl T. His passing marked the beginning of the end of the era of the founders of the Chicago Alcoholics Anonymous Group. Earl had been sober for twenty-five years and five months.
August 1967: Dorothy Garland Retires
Dorothy Garland, having joined as the Assistant Secretary in August of 1946, and having succeeded our first secretary, retired. The entire MRC paid tribute to Dorothy for her service to Chicago Alcoholics Anonymous.
January 1971: Bill W dies
Following a long illness, Co-Founder of AA, Bill Wilson was laid to rest in East Dorset, Vermont.
Chicago AA Celebrates 80 years
