Nearly a century ago, residents would stand along the Clark Street bridge awaiting the arrival of ships that would bring a cargo of Christmas trees. One of the most famous vessels was the Rouse Simmons.

Rochelle Pennington has written a number of books about the ship and its captain, Herman Scheunemann, including "The Christmas Tree Ship: the Story of Captain Santa."

In 2006, WBEZ’s Steve Edwards spoke with Pennington who says the Christmas ships that traveled Lake Michigan were a long-awaited tradition.