Opa - Where did you live growing up?
Times Past & Present
My mom, Marge, wrote “Times Past & Present – History of Houses” in which she tells about the houses she and dad have called home.
Here is her story in her words: (Dick refers to my dad, Richard and Ricky is the name I was called until I entered college)
“Times Past & Present – History of Houses” by Marge Cohrs
In February, 1947 we moved into our first house – 1725 W. Madison Avenue, Maywood, Illinois.
We paid rent of $30.00 per month including heat. Rent was raised to $32.50 per month. Formerly a funeral parlor, it was converted to 6 apartments. We had 2 rooms plus a dressing room (became Rick’s room – moved the crib into the kitchen, where we showered) plus a back porch with a swing. Dick commuted to college and work on the Blue Bird Bus 2 blocks away. Rick was born in 1948 at Westlake Hospital, Melrose Park, IL.
1951 – Rt. 59 A & Butterfield Road, Libertyville, ILL
We had 5 rooms on the first floor of an old farm house. House faced Butterfield Road. House was part of the salary. Lots of acreage around it. Dad worked as a bookkeeper for Hawthorn Melody Farms. Rick had a real room – we had our own bedroom and when Randy was born at Condell Hospital in Libertyville, ILL he had his own room. We all enjoyed the country and all the room.
1952 – Morningside and Turnbull, Round Lake Beach, ILL
Bought our first home for $12,500.00 - $200 down – a new Cape Cod with an unfinished attic. Dad still worked for Hawthorn Farms – then later got a job at Johns –Manville in Waukegan, ILL. Dan was born in 1955 at Condell Hospital in Libertyville, ILL.
September, 1956 – 209 Warren Street, Uniondale, NY
We moved to Long Island because dad was transferred to headquarters of Johns-Manville in New York. We gave the house in Round Lake Beach back to the builder and rented a house in New York on the island - $350.00 a month for a brick Cape Cod right across the field from Mitchell Air Base.
September, 1958 – 509 Bobby Lane, Mundelein, ILL
After 2 years in New York Dad was transferred back to Waukegan, ILL for Johns-Manville as Assistant Finance Manager in the pipe division. House was new in a new subdivision about 4 blocks from downtown Mundelein – a 3 bedroom ranch – no basement – no garage. Rick had his own room – Randy and Dan shared one – price $16,900. Kids could walk to school.
1966 – 957 NE Holcomb Drive, Mundelein, ILL
Moved to the other side of town – Mom worked at the Village Hall and we purchased the house from June Peterson (who also worked there) for $22,500 – a custom built redwood raised ranch complete with huge oak trees and wild flowers. We all loved the creek in the back yard and the many birds attracted there – and we had two bathrooms.
Personal Note: I was married in August, 1966 and moved out. Mom continues her story with the houses she and dad lived in after I moved out.
January 21, 1974 – 12175 W Belleview Avenue, Littleton, CO
Dad was transferred to World Headquarters and we moved to Colorado. Bought a split level house for $51,500 – with 2 ½ acres right on Belleview Avenue. Dad fulfilled his dream of a farm – got all kinds of animals. Randy moved to Denver with us. We (with help from Dan & Randy) converted the garage into a small antique shop called the Painted Pony. It was fun while it lasted.
May 15, 1985 – 12105 W Bowles Place, Littleton, CO
We moved into a new house approximately 1 mile south of our Belleville house. Mom could not cope with the stairs anymore – moved into a 3 bedroom with basement ranch. Dad had to start all over with the landscaping – even put in a fish pond. Hopefully this is our last move.
Personal Note: Mom’s wish was answered when God called her home on December 30, 2000. Now she has a Heavenly Mansion. Dad joined her June 7, 2001.
My mom, Marge, wrote “Times Past & Present – History of Houses” in which she tells about the houses she and dad have called home.
Here is her story in her words: (Dick refers to my dad, Richard and Ricky is the name I was called until I entered college)
“Times Past & Present – History of Houses” by Marge Cohrs
In February, 1947 we moved into our first house – 1725 W. Madison Avenue, Maywood, Illinois.
We paid rent of $30.00 per month including heat. Rent was raised to $32.50 per month. Formerly a funeral parlor, it was converted to 6 apartments. We had 2 rooms plus a dressing room (became Rick’s room – moved the crib into the kitchen, where we showered) plus a back porch with a swing. Dick commuted to college and work on the Blue Bird Bus 2 blocks away. Rick was born in 1948 at Westlake Hospital, Melrose Park, IL.
1951 – Rt. 59 A & Butterfield Road, Libertyville, ILL
We had 5 rooms on the first floor of an old farm house. House faced Butterfield Road. House was part of the salary. Lots of acreage around it. Dad worked as a bookkeeper for Hawthorn Melody Farms. Rick had a real room – we had our own bedroom and when Randy was born at Condell Hospital in Libertyville, ILL he had his own room. We all enjoyed the country and all the room.
1952 – Morningside and Turnbull, Round Lake Beach, ILL
Bought our first home for $12,500.00 - $200 down – a new Cape Cod with an unfinished attic. Dad still worked for Hawthorn Farms – then later got a job at Johns –Manville in Waukegan, ILL. Dan was born in 1955 at Condell Hospital in Libertyville, ILL.
September, 1956 – 209 Warren Street, Uniondale, NY
We moved to Long Island because dad was transferred to headquarters of Johns-Manville in New York. We gave the house in Round Lake Beach back to the builder and rented a house in New York on the island - $350.00 a month for a brick Cape Cod right across the field from Mitchell Air Base.
September, 1958 – 509 Bobby Lane, Mundelein, ILL
After 2 years in New York Dad was transferred back to Waukegan, ILL for Johns-Manville as Assistant Finance Manager in the pipe division. House was new in a new subdivision about 4 blocks from downtown Mundelein – a 3 bedroom ranch – no basement – no garage. Rick had his own room – Randy and Dan shared one – price $16,900. Kids could walk to school.
1966 – 957 NE Holcomb Drive, Mundelein, ILL
Moved to the other side of town – Mom worked at the Village Hall and we purchased the house from June Peterson (who also worked there) for $22,500 – a custom built redwood raised ranch complete with huge oak trees and wild flowers. We all loved the creek in the back yard and the many birds attracted there – and we had two bathrooms.
Personal Note: I was married in August, 1966 and moved out. Mom continues her story with the houses she and dad lived in after I moved out.
January 21, 1974 – 12175 W Belleview Avenue, Littleton, CO
Dad was transferred to World Headquarters and we moved to Colorado. Bought a split level house for $51,500 – with 2 ½ acres right on Belleview Avenue. Dad fulfilled his dream of a farm – got all kinds of animals. Randy moved to Denver with us. We (with help from Dan & Randy) converted the garage into a small antique shop called the Painted Pony. It was fun while it lasted.
May 15, 1985 – 12105 W Bowles Place, Littleton, CO
We moved into a new house approximately 1 mile south of our Belleville house. Mom could not cope with the stairs anymore – moved into a 3 bedroom with basement ranch. Dad had to start all over with the landscaping – even put in a fish pond. Hopefully this is our last move.
Personal Note: Mom’s wish was answered when God called her home on December 30, 2000. Now she has a Heavenly Mansion. Dad joined her June 7, 2001.
Houses - Then and Now
