Joliet woman held Miss America crown for six years

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Lois Delander wears the crown she received when chosen the most beautiful girl in America in 1927. | Submitted photo

At A Glance

What: Lois Delander presentation

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet

Etc: A signing of the Smiths’ Gerlach Barklow book follows the hour-long presentation.

Contact: 815-723-5201

Article Extras

Updated: November 11, 2011 2:06PM

JOLIET — Tony Contos, executive director of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, has a photo of Joliet girl and 1927 Miss America Lois Delander. She is standing in front the West Acres house she had built with her earnings.

Although Contos did not know Delander had owned the house until he purchased it in 1985, that photograph is a treasured possession each owner of the house has passed down to the next.

“I like knowing I own a small piece of Joliet’s history,” Contos said.

Historical presentation

To celebrate Delander’s 100th birthday, authors and Gerlach Barklow calendar collectors Tim and Michelle Smith will offer a 75-page PowerPoint presentation Saturday at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The information pulls from the Smiths’ large collection of memorabilia and information regarding Delander.

The Smiths will also refer to a 50-photo brochure they created of Delander and rare video footage of Delander accepting the crown. They also have close to 100 photographs of advertisements Delander did for such items as dresses and Maytag washing machines.

“One of our ads says, ‘Even Lois Delander’s parents own a Maytag washer,’” Michelle said.

Although the Smiths have been collecting Delander material for 10 years, they first became aware of her through their fascination with the high-quality prints of Gerlach Barklow calendar art. After winning the Miss America crown, Delander became a popular subject for the Joliet calendar company.

Maurice Rubens, one of the brothers that built and owned the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, “discovered” Delander at the Castle Dancing School and encouraged her to enter the Miss Joliet contest. This led, after Delander won, to claiming the Miss Illinois title, which included a complete wardrobe for her trip to the Miss America contest in Atlantic City and a five-week vaudeville contract valued at $500.

Crowned queen

Nevertheless, Delander was so convinced she hadn’t a chance at winning the national title that, the night before the finals, she packed her suitcases for home. Her father, Albion Delander, a Will County clerk, changed his mind about attending and drove down to join the family, arriving just 15 minutes before Bob Hope crowned her. It was her parents’ 20th anniversary.

Delander received a scepter, four trophies, a Bulova watch, an Oldsmobile and a screen test. Her win was significant in another way. Because of the Great Depression, the pageant was not hosted again until 1933.

As Miss America, Delander had the honor of meeting President Calvin Coolidge, Charles Lindbergh, Red Grange, Fred Waring and Amelita Galli-Curci. Delander supposedly turned down $1,000 appearances to return home and complete her education.

She married Chicago stockbroker Ralph Lang, raised three daughters and became vice president of an Evanston bank. She died in 1985 at the age of 75.

“We always wondered what happened to her scepter,” Tim said, “but maybe she didn’t get to keep it.”