Silver Creek

The home in which I grew up stood close to the intersection of Silver Creek and the Des Plaines River. When I was a little girl, this was a pristine area. Silver Creek froze in the winter, and we often walked down its banks to skate. The Des Plaines River, too, was clean, and on sunny days, we spent time enjoying the scenery in Thatcher Woods.

By the time I was a teenager, both Silver Creek and the Des Plaines River were badly polluted. Silver Creek ran through Melrose Park, "Corporate King of the Suburbs." The nearby industries likely contributed to the creek's dismal state in the 1970s. What once had been a place to ice skate became an oily waterway, slick with chemicals that would not freeze.

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1964. The Des Plaines River froze in the winter.

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Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1963. My Mom and I enjoy the winter view along the bank of the Des Plaines River.

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Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1963. My Dad and I walk through the snow.

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Melrose Park, Silver Creek, January 1964. Dad pulls me, in a sled, up from Silver Creek.

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Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1964. Thank you for watching our snow show!

December-Thaw Reunion

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, December 1975. Dad selected this image from Thatcher Woods for one of his Christmas cards.

Snowman

Dad and I visit Thatcher Woods, part of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Thatcher Woods (near intersection of 1st and Chicago Avenues), Illinois, January 1963. Our snowman has a branch broom.

In-the-Woods Reunion

Thatcher Woods, Cook County Forest Preserve, September 24, 2016. Mr. Irene headed back last weekend to the Chicago area for a high-school reunion. He stopped at Thatcher Woods to revisit some memories, and he was happy to find the place in great shape.

Sledding

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1963. Dad remembered to bring the sled.

Late Summer

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, September 1963. Things look thick just before Fall arrives.

Christmas Cards: Seventh Edition

December, 1975. The seventh in my Dad's series of photographic Christmas cards featured a view of the Des Plaines River, at Thatcher Woods.

Another use for the sled.

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1964. Mom borrows my sled.

It's too early to think about snow.

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, February 1964. Dad continued to wear hats long after men's hats became unfashionable.

There's still snow on the ground, but be careful because it's melting.

Suburban Chicago, January 1964. My Mom takes me sledding at Thatcher Woods.

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Suburban Chicago, January 1964. We are cautious, however, because the snow is melting, and the Des Plaines River rarely freezes over.

Autumn Paddle

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, October 1963. It was still warm enough for a ride along the Des Plaines River.

This looks a little risky.

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, February 1966. It looks like the Des Plaines River has frozen.

Winter Riverbank

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1965. Things start to freeze around the edges.

Related by Marriage: Bicycle Lesson

Thatcher Woods, Cook County Forest Preserve, May 1965. Mr. Irene learns to ride a bike in the Tatcher Woods parking lot. Supporting him are, left to right: Mr. Irene's maternal Grandfather, Stanley; Aunt Martha's husband, Wally, and; Mr. Irene's Dad.

Sunday Drive

Suburban Chicago, January 1965. Dad replaced his black, 1957 VW Beetle with a beige model.

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Suburban Chicago, January 1965. Dad enjoyed driving VW Beetles, even if the destination was as close as the Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve.

Don't expect a thaw.

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1965. The Des Plaines River rarely freezes, however.

Winter River

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, January 1962. The river rarely froze.

Bundle-up Reunion

Des Plaines River at Thatcher Woods, February 1965. Things are about to freeze.

The leaves will be gone soon.

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, October 1963. Have you collected all of the colorful specimens for your autumn scrapbook?

Fresh Dusting

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, February 1966. It's safe to walk along the edge.