Mortgage Rates

Suburban Chicago, about 1957. Here are the rates the builder proposed for the subdivision in which my childhood home stood.

Thanks to my friend Mary for making this document available to us.

"Luxury Features Galore"

Suburban Chicago, about 1957. The developer of the subdivision in which I grew up lists the modern features of the split-level homes. That Roper wall oven (and those birch cabinets) served our family for 34 years.

Thanks to my friend Mary for making this document available to us.

A Brief Aspiration

 

Suburban Chicago, May 1960. I react upon Marshall Field's delivery of the mahogany piano.

(The sculpted rug was grey. It was not wall-to-wall carpeting.)

Evening Practice

Suburban Chicago, February 1969. Mom practices after she returns from work.

A Favorite for Father's Day

Suburban Chicago, April 1962. I revisit the image of Dad and me in the remodeled Rec Room.

Floor Plan

Suburban Chicago, about 1957. Here's the floor plan of my childhood home. I noted earlier that these homes usually housed families consisting of five or six members.

Thanks to my friend Mary for making this document available to me.

The Ashley

My Best Friend grew up in the "Ashley" model of homes in our subdivision.

My Best Friend and I once had a sale in that garage.

*     *     *     *     *

"[G]rease proof asphalt tile." The tile in our kitchen—and in my Best Friend's kitchen—was pink.

*     *     *     *     *

Hmm. I thought the upstairs bath had a double sink.

Thanks to my friend Mary for sending this document to me.

"Luxury living at its best"

My Parents bought their home in a new development. They had hoped to settle in nearby Elmhurst, but they couldn't afford houses in that suburb. Mom and Dad chose the middle of the three models offered for sale, the "Beverly." The house measured about 1,725 square feet. Most "Beverly" homes housed five- to six-person families.

Here are some images from the promotional brochure created for the development:

*     *     *     *     *

I think the definition of "walk-in closets" was a bit different in the 1950s.

Thanks to my friend Mary for sending this document to me. I'll post more from the piece later.

The party winds up.

Rockford, Illinois, November 1960. Our friends have finished hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

(I don't remember the lurking-Siamese-cat figurine.)

Mother's Day

Suburban Chicago, April 1961. I posted this photo earlier, but it's the image that comes to mind on Mother's Day.

Ziggy is in the picture.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1966. My friend Kris and her Parents—my Mom's Best Friend, Donna, and Vytenis—pose with Ziggy.

When will you teach me to knit ("second-hand" edition)?

Suburban Chicago, 1962. It's an image from a different time.

Tastes change.

When I finished my first year of grad school, I left Sherman Hall and moved into an apartment. The apartment was a few miles from campus, and I most often biked or walked to classes. I chose the unit primarily because it was furnished. Back then, I didn't think the furniture was nice.

 

*     *     *     *     *

Urbana, Illinois, June 1981. Now, I wouldn't mind having that dinette set.

Christmas Manners: Drop in for a visit.

Chicago, Illinois, about 1960. A lifelong friend of Mr. Irene's Mom and her husband pop in for some cheer.

Related by Marriage: Come over and see the tree.

Suburban Chicago, December 1960. Mr. Irene's maternal Aunt, Martha, and her husband, Wally, drive out to the suburbs to visit Mr. Irene's Parents. Do you remember when no one hung art at "eye level?" (Click on the "living room" label to see more examples of how people displayed art in the 1950s and 1960s.)

Gray

Suburban Chicago, 1959. Dad's in the living room, next to the bay window. This is the watercolor hanging behind the floor lamp.

Mouthy

Rockford, Illinois, June 1957. My Parents again visit their Rockford friends. Their German Shepherd mouths the hand of the hostess's mother. My Mom and my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, sit on the upper level of the entryway.

Lawn Party

Rockford, Illinois, June 1961. My Mom (the one in the dress) steps out with her Rockford friends.

Related by Marriage: Do you remember plastic slipcovers?

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, July 1959. Mr. Irene and his Parents pay a Sunday visit to Mr. Irene's maternal Grandparents, Stanley and Anna.

Although my Mom never covered our furniture with plastic slipcovers, I remember seeing those slipcovers in many homes.

Happy Mother's Day

Suburban Chicago, April 1961. I posted this photo earlier, but I add it again today because it's the one that best says "Happy Mother's Day."