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.

The resort has many attractions.

Palanga, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1957. The beach isn't the only spot.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 63)

Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, October 1957. A close friend of my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, sent this photo.

Landing

Near Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. Mom gets out of the dinghy before she explores the rock ledges.

In the Garden

Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, about 1957. The husband of my Mom's maternal Aunt, Dora, walks in the garden of my Mom's childhood home.

Perched

Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. Some positions my Toronto Cousin on that piece of driftwood.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Related by Marriage: Bridal Fashions

Nativity BVM Church, Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, about 1957 or 1958. Let's take another look at the bridal party.

Wading

Near Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. Mom joins friends at the dinghy dock.

Cooling

Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. My Toronto Cousin and her Dad, Kadis, choose another spot.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Summer Weekend

Probably near Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. My Toronto Cousin and her Dad, Kadis, enjoy a favorite spot.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

The Same Spot

Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, and her daughter Jonė pose on that piece of driftwood.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Fascination

Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. Family members staged a number of snapshots around that piece of driftwood.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making that photo available to us.

Related by Marriage: Posing

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, 1957. The photograph directs the bride and groom. The bride was a friend of Mr. Irene's Mom.

It's too cold to swim.

Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. My Toronto Cousin and her Dad, Kadis, stay out of the water.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

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.

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

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

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

Review the subject.

Rockford, Illinois, Summer 1957. My Dad considers the Rockford German Shepherd before he photographs the dog.

"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:

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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 View from the Dinghy

Near Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, July 1957. Set aside your knitting and look around.