Labor Day 1920something

From Mildred Lindborg's photo album.


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Image courtesy of N.B.

Mildred wrote, "Labor Day 1921" — I think, but the last digit is nearly illegible; it could also be "4" or "6." Judging by the clothing, I'm inclined to think it is 1921.


(1) Hulda Palm (wife of Peter). (2) Peter Palm (Anna Lindborg's brother). (3) Grandma Larson. (4) Anna Lindborg. (5) Mrs. Bowman. (6) Mabel Larson(?). (7) [first name unknown] Hanson(?). (8) Franklin Lindborg. (9) Gust Lindborg. (10) Helen Palm(?). (11) Gladys Lindborg. (12) Esther Palm(?). (13) Norma Lindborg. (14) June Bowman(?).

Location unknown.

Pennsy Ticket, 1913

Miss Minnie Rossow got a reduced fare on the Pennsy line because she was under 18 — 16 years old, to be exact. It was April 1913 and she was commuting between Hobart and Gary to attend Gary Business College. If the train stopped to pick her up near her parents' home, close by the crossing of the tracks over (present-day) Wisconsin Street, that was very convenient. The streetcar would have been likewise convenient — I don't know why she preferred the Pennsy.


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Images courtesy of E.H.



This little note identifies the ticket (there is only one) and the examination questions we've already seen, although, as I've said, it doesn't make the chronology clear. There was no little leather billfold, by the way: these items were loose in the steamer trunk.

Roads Excellent … Outside of Indiana

Elmer Bullock's road trip with Grandma came to an end, and the travelers' report appeared in the "Local and Personal" column of the Hobart News of July 22, 1920:


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(By the way, per the 1900 Census, J. Harmon and Ella Kipp had 11 children, Mary being the eldest.)

The Parsonage

This lovely little house is, according to a legend on the back of the postcard, "The Parsonage/Merrillville, Ind."


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While we have noticed a house on 73rd Avenue (south side of the road, west of Madison) that looks quite similar, I don't know for certain it's the same house and so I chose not to do a then-and-now.

The message on the back is from an old acquaintance, Silas E. Zuvers, who in the early years of the 20th century taught at the Ainsworth school.



His obituary, from the Hobart News of August 17, 1916:



Additional related items from the Lake County Star (courtesy of Alice Smedstad):

Merrillville Then and Now: West from the School

Circa early 20th century, and 2013.



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Top image courtesy of the Merrillville/Ross Township Historical Society.

We really do not know the date of the first photo. Unless the photographer climbed a tree, the view must be from the upper part of the building that now serves as the Merrillville/Ross Township Historical Society museum — originally a school. I believe it was built in 1896, but I could be mistaken. The road in front (73rd Avenue, aka the Lincoln Highway) appears unpaved; if only I knew when it was first paved, that might help me date it.

The church is still standing, now serving as the township trustee's office. I'm told that the white frame building in the left foreground of the 2013 picture (the insurance office) is in the original picture as well — I'm guessing it's the second house in the left foreground of the original. Several other houses look similar between the two pictures. I leave it to someone else to figure it all out.

Raschka News

This social column of the Hobart News of July 15, 1920, was just crammed with news of the Raschkas and their relatives.

Also, you can get that 100-lb. bag of sugar you needed at George Sauter's store.


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The Jolly Three

From Mildred Lindborg's photo album.

A couple more photos from the same Hegewisch yard as "The Kiddies."

Mildred called this trio the "Jolly Three."


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Images courtesy of N.B.

Left to right: Mabel Larson(?), Franklin Lindborg, Ollie(?) Larson.

What a contrast in attitudes between Mabel and Franklin!

She and Franklin are "Only Cousins," according to Mildred's caption of the next photo.