unexpected day

[40plyrod]

Ever had one of those days where someone you've never met before shows up out of the blue and gives you something that you never though you would ever see? That happened to me today. I live in an old house built in 1926 it is on a piece of property bought by my dad in 1965 and adjacent to our farm which my grandpa settled on 1905. I've often wished to see pictures of what it looked like in the old days but sadly my family was too poor to own a camera back then so there are few pictures of our farm let alone the neighbors (mine now) house. The oldest picture of my house is from the 70's. Today a fellow stopped by with his dad (now in his 80's) who lived in my house from 1934-37 with pictures! I was floored! None of the families that have lived in my house since my dad can remember (born 1939) are still around and to see pictures from 5 years before he was born was a treat for him too. The model t in the picture is the car that the family drove out from Saskatchewan in 1934 in to escape the dust storms of the prairies, but he would like to identify the make of the other car any ideas? it was such an unexpected and awesome day I just had to share   

[40plyrod]

Picture of the house today.

[Dan Hiebert]

That is cool!  When we were living in Port Huron, MI, we had an older couple come by the house one day while I happened to be washing the D24 in the driveway.  They had lived in the house next door.  Lincoln Elementary School was across the street, its a city park now (Lincoln Park, south side of Port Huron, those attending the POC event and going to the Wills-St. Claire Museum will pass through it on the way if they go via M25 / Electric Ave).  They had an album of photos, most of classes from the school, that showed an empty lot where our house was, then some construction, and finally the finished product.  (It was interesting that they didn't use the school as a backdrop.)  They were checking out the "old neighborhood", saw the D24 in the driveway and figured we liked old stuff (duh) and would be interested in their photos.  Spent the afternoon talking about the old neighborhood and invited them to dinner.  Even had some neighbors come over to chat.  That was an awesome day, I can imagine how you'uns felt.  Thanks for sharing!  (No clue about the other car, tho)   

[mrwrstory]

What a great experience!  To think you might have run to the hardware store and missed them.  But the stars aligned and you and your family made a rare connection to the past.

[Dave72dt]

I don't have many, if any photos of the old homestead where I grew up.  What I do have is a hand painted landscape done by my father, of the farmstead of what it looked like when he was growing up.

[Niel Hoback]

That looks to be about a 1931 Chevy.  I'm sure its a Chevy but the year,,,,,,  could be 32, but I don't think so. 

[TodFitch]

That looks to be about a 1931 Chevy.  I'm sure its a Chevy but the year,,,,,,  could be 32, but I don't think so. 

Looks like a Chevy to me too, and has styling typical of the very late 20s through early 30s, so I'm going with Niel on this one.

[40plyrod]

I think you're right, it is a 31 Chevrolet.

[40plyrod]

What a great experience!  To think you might have run to the hardware store and missed them.  But the stars aligned and you and your family made a rare connection to the past.

 

Not just that but taking the time to visit. On our farm there is always something that needs to be done and sometimes we get so "heads down" involved in getting something done that unfortunately visitors are sometimes brushed off as just another "lookie lou". I try to make a conscience effort to make time for people because of a past experience. About 10 years ago an old timer on the road stopped by to visit and we were fairly busy at the time (he always managed to stop by at our busy times) but this time I stopped to visit and he had brought with him a load of pictures from the 40's and 50's from the area and nearby towns. Really neat pictures and great stories to go with them. I ended up having to work late that night to get caught up with what had to be done but he was dead 1 week later. So glad I took the time to visit.