I discovered this treasure while cleaning out my mother’s house in preparation for her move to a board and care home. It features my mother’s family on the steps of their house in South Chicago. If asked, I think I could still draw a floor plan of that house and locate the china cabinet that kept my grandmother’s blue glass dishes.
The year is probably 1946 or 1947, just after World War Two. My mother is on the right, her youngest sister in the middle with long hair, and the third sister on the left. They are all still alive, with my mother set to turn 99 in July (if she makes it.) Behind her is my father, recently back from the war, in a rare glimpse of them together. He died in a car crash when I was six. Here they are either just married or just about to tie the knot.
My grandmother stands in back wearing a dark dress and what might be pearls. She was nearing fifty in this photo. Her hair and glasses stayed much the same as she aged, at least in my memory, although she did get thicker around the waist. The older woman standing in front of her is my Aunt Evelyn’s (far left) mother in law. Her dress is much more exuberant, with a large print and perhaps a ruffle at the bottom. Note also her flowery hat, perhaps chosen just for that dress. She wears gloves, as does my aunt.
My mother is now bedridden and heading downhill. It’s a pleasure to see her young–younger than I am now, younger even than my daughter. What a life she had ahead of her.
This photo must evoke such fond memories! Do you know the address? My parents lived in South Shore, and I did, too, from birth to 18 months when we became suburbanites.
I love how your grandmother is peeking around the feathered hat!
A very nice photo. But I’m confused about the geography. Is South Chicago part of the South Side of Chicago? Is only part of the South Side dangerous, or was this picture taken before the South Side changed?