Spring 1918

From my Grandmother’s album. Durand Illinois. My mother Marian with her brothers Robert (4) and John (8). Her 6th birthday would be in the coming September.

Robert Marian and John

Found Chairs

The woven cord ones, the aluminum folding frames, are for sale, standing in front of a vintage store on High Street.

The other two? discards.

Maura found the white one on the way home, walking Charlie from school.

Swimming Attire c.1924

My grandfather Judd DeWitt VanSickle in the middle hugging his youngest son, my Uncle Robert. My grandmother Charlotte is sporting the sash, I believe. I calculate the date as Uncle Robert was born in 1914 and to me he looks about ten in this photo. Durand, Illinois or perhaps on vacation in the Wisconsin Dells.

From my grandmothers’s album

Looks like the women are wearing leather shoes.

Silhouette of my Mom 1939

My mother photographed at Starved Rock Park, Illinois in 1939.

see link for information on St.Peter sandstone

Marian VanSickle Hendricks the year my parents were married (1939)

Sounds like a horrific history as I read the explanation of the naming of this huge park in Illinois. “

Here’s the story “Starved Rock State Park derives its names from a Native American legend of injustice and retribution. In the 1760s, Pontiac (Chief of the Ottawa tribe) was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa) sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation—giving rise to its name Starved Rock.”

Thirteen miles of hiking trails.

Starved Rock State Park is a wilderness area on the Illinois River containing steep sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater. A few canyons: St. Louis, French and Wildcat canyons have waterfalls. Wooded trails lead to Lover’s Leap Overlook, with views of the river and the dam. Park wildlife includes white-tailed deer, bald eagles and migratory birds, and reptiles. You can spend all day hiking and have lunch or dinner at the lodge.” Trip Advisor

HS Yearbook Ads 1906

I thought these pages of ads at the back of my grandmother’s Rockford High School 1906 yearbook were interesting. Two digit phone numbers. Pork Packers, fountain pens, Milliners, maps. Carbon paper for your typewriter, fine pocket knives.

Rockford Illinois
Where do the pencil shavings go?
I think I’ll search the Internet- see if any of these businesses still exist