Block Party (1907)

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OED recently added "block party," but I thought I'd look at it.


(OED)
APPENDED FROM ADDITIONS 1997 block, n.     Add:    [V.] [23.] block party
U.S., a party, usu. one held outdoors, given by and for all the residents of a
block or neighbourhood.

  1919 Red Cross Mag. Oct. 79/2 The *block party idea had just struck
Waterbury in the middle of the summer but it seems to have struck hard. 1935 C. F.
WARE Greenwich Village 1920-1930 iv. 101 Such general forms of block
organization..as the block parties which the political organizations used to stage had
entirely disappeared by 1930. 1949 M. MEAD Male & Female xv. 307 The block-party
for the only family that got into the new housing project. 1967 Boston Sunday
Globe 21 May B60/7 (caption) An old fashion block party was held last week in
penthouse apartment of Tremont-on-the-Common. 1992 Buffalo (N.Y.) News 23
Aug. C1/1 Mrs. Gates and a dozen or so neighbours decided to throw a block party
on Saturday to thank the police and firefighters who serve them.


(NEWSPAPERARCHIVE.COM)
7 August 1907, RENO EVENING GAZETTE (NV), pg. 2?, col. 1:
PHILADELPHIA, August 6.--Two good-looking young men were the star attractions
at a block party for the North American Outing Fund a few night ago, in
Smedley street, between Westmoreland and Ontario streets. They announced that they
were prepared to sell kisses for 5 cents each.


14 August 1908, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, pg. 7, col. 2:
_"BLOCK PARTY" TONIGHT_
_AT ST. NICHOLAS RINK_
Those who have been wondering what a "Block Party" is like can find out
tonight by going to the St. Nicholas Auditorium; and, judging from the many
expressions of interest and curiousity heard for the past few days, there will be a
very large attendance.

A fine prize is to be awarded to the skating couple who are clever or
fortunate enough to evade the elimination rules until all other couples have been
retired from the floor.


22 September 1908, FREDERICK NEWS (MD), pg. 5
Skating and dancing at Lake View Casino, Wednesday night. Something new for
skaters, block party, very interesting. Prize to winners. Try for the prize.


(PROQUEST HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS)
ALL CLASSES G0 TO DRAKE RALLY; Collared and Collarless, White and Black, Dine
at First Ward Free Lunch. 'BLOCK PARTIES' STARTED Miss Harriet Vittum Invites
Every One of Fair Sex in Each Square.
Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963). Chicago, Ill.: Mar 11, 1914. p. 5 (1 page)

_Stars "Block Parties."_

Miss Harriet Vittum, independent candidate for alderman for the Seventeenth
ward, has started a series of "block parties." Every woman in the block is
urged to attend the party held in her block.

In the afternoon a Yiddish block party was held. Tomorow night there will be
a Scandinavian "block party" in the home of one of Miss Vittum's friends. From
two to four of them a day are planned for the next few weeks.


CITY WAVES FLAG AND CHEERS WILSON; Safe and Sane Celebrations of Independence
Day All Over Town. WAR, TOPIC OF ORATORS "We Want No Enervating Peace," Said
Job Hedges at Lewisohn Stadium, Where 25,000 Gathered.
New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: Jul 6, 1915. p. 18 (1
page):
"Block parties" and other neighborhood celebrations were held in many parts
of the borough.