Little House Down the Lane

Dad and Mom's First Home

Back when Mom and Dad were engaged to be married, my dad (Vernon) and his dad (Claude) built a little house down the lane from his parents home. The house was small, but big enough for them and the two children that would follow.

Rather than dig a hole for a basement, Dad used a disc to break up the ground, then would scrape out the loose dirt (as above). Eventually, a trench would be created. Within the trench, the basement walls/floors would be created, then the dirt would be used to fill back in around the wall.

The house is beginning to take shape. On the right edge, you can see my grandparents house.

Early view of the house, looking to the northwest.

Working on the siding. Nice truck! View is looking to the north.

My mom (Eleonora) standing the porch of the house. Note the icicles on the eaves. Photo looking to the north.

Nearing completion. Note the pump to the left. There wasn't running water in the house... we did get the water from the pump.

Dad standing at the northeast corner of the home.

Electricity hooked up and ready for the newlyweds to move in. Final home was 18' x 18', with a basement (you had to go outside to get to the basement). There was a chemical toilet in the basement, but most months of the year, the outside outhouse was used.

Scene from inside the house. Looks rather cozy!

Photo of Vernon Hindman, March 1955.

My (Evan) first Christmas in the little house (1956)

Our car, sitting in front of the house 1958.

After 6 years in the house, my mom inherited a farm southwest of Rushville from Mrs Holzberger (the same farm that mom's father lost in 1944). My parents moved to that farm in the fall of 1958. Due to the need for a little extra cash, my parents sold the little house, which was moved off the place.

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