We never knew you guys were so curious about our house’s original owners until we started receiving quite a few emails and comments asking if we’ve ever heard from them. Of course we were also curious as well. Did they know their old house is up on the internet for all to see? How much of the house had been changed over their decades of home-ownership that we don’t even know about? Do they think we’re crazy for painting their old brick and paneling? So many question, so little time! Well guess what? A few short weeks ago we heard from them! The original owners who lived here for almost forty five years contacted us after coming across our blog through a friend. Oh the tales they told. The most amazing thing is that almost two years ago we posted about a few quirky vintage items that we found under our old cabinets when we redid our kitchen:
Well, the bottom piece of paper is none other than a childhood drawing made by the woman who contacted us from back when she was five years old! Amazing. Of course now she’s grown and married so we’re super excited that she took the time to drop us a line to fill us in on our beloved home’s unbelievable history. Here’s her first letter:
Hey youngsters! That’s the house I grew up in! My mother lived there from the mid 50’s when it was built until 2000 and sold it to come and live with my family. I love the things you have done with it, it is so much brighter and younger! That old dining room next to the kitchen was my bedroom at one time. I hope you are very happy in your new home. -Lisa
We had a feeling the room that we inherited as a dining room was once a third bedroom so it was amazing to hear Lisa confirm our suspicions (it somehow made us even happier that we turned it back into a third bedroom when we remodeled the kitchen early last year). It was just so surreal to be talking to someone who grew up in our house in the 50s and 60s! We also heard there had been a tennis court out back at one time so that was just one of the things we asked in hopes of getting to the bottom of Casa Petersik’s roots. Here’s Lisa’s second letter in response to our barrage of questions:
My parents moved from 29th Street in Richmond City when they had me. I was their second child. I had a brother who was three years older than me. They bought your house when I was born in 1957 for $13,000 dollars. All of the ranchers in that neighborhood had a carport on the end of the house. My father enclosed the carport and did all of the brickwork himself to create the room that you now call the den.
And yes, my mother actually picked that ugly green toilet you inherited in the half bathroom!
My father believes he was one of the original DIY-ers. The basement/sunroom was his most massive DIY project. My father would take me and my brother down to Canal Street every morning one summer and there we would pick up a day laborer. My father and his helper would dig with shovels everyday and we would drop them off at Southside Plaza in the afternoon. I remember being frightened by the men who would crowd around to be the first to be picked to come home with us each day. They dug that entire basement with shovels. He did all of the block work himself as well as the sunroom above it. It originally had screens all around it (it was much later that they bought some closeout patio doors and enclosed it all).
I think my mother misses that sunroom the most. Here are photos of my parents, Floyd and Mary with my brother, Bruce and me, Lisa. These are all taken around 1960.
The Christmas photo above is taken in what is now your dining area. The window behind the tree looked out onto the screened porch which was later bricked in to form the den (so there is no longer a window there and you have hung your white shelves on that wall).
Here is a photo of me and my brother in front of the living room fireplace…
that you have lightened up with paint…
And we actually did have a clay tennis court in the back between the house and the woods! It didn’t last long though as my brother and I didn’t have a true passion for tennis. My mother turned that whole area into her “park” afterwards. The garage has always touched me in a sad way. My father had that built around 1980, he had always wanted a garage. About the time it was finished, he became ill with a disease that would eventually take his life. I always wished he could have retired and enjoyed that garage. I actually loved the den with the fireplace the most. Although I really like the way you have transformed it with paint, I have to say that it was so cozy and comfortable in the winter when the fireplace was burning and it was snowing outside. And on the subject of snow, if you ever get any your street is the absolute best sledding hill around.– Lisa
Isn’t that amazing? Hearing from Lisa about our home’s history was the highlight of our month. No, year. Somehow our house feels even more special now that we know even more about its past. Can you believe it had a backyard tennis court? And that Lisa’s own dad built our den, sunroom and basement with his bare hands and the help of a day laborer? Unbelievable! So a huuuuge virtual bear hug goes out to Lisa and her family for beginning to mold our home into the dream house that we purchased back in 2006. And we can’t even express how much we appreciate that Lisa reached out to us and took the time to share all the unbelievable details about our home’s past life. It appears that Casa Petersik has enjoyed quite a few DIY adventures- even before we moved in with our paint brushes and hammers in hand.
Rose says
Sherry, this was a great post! We built a new house two years ago and are very lucky to be the first ever people to live here. I often think about life down the road and what if someday we don’t get to live here anymore? That is so neat you had contact with the girl who grew up there-it is a great house and I’m not surprised someone else enjoyed it as much as you guys are now! Keep up the good work!
LauraC says
So(ooooooo) Cool! I got choked up reading it and I don’t even know you or Lisa!
Audrey says
This is so great! We get bits and pieces on our house’s history from our neighbors that have lived there for a long time, but nothing like this! It must be so cool to really hear the history of your home – and see pictures!
Ana says
I love their picture in front of the fireplace! It’s great to know that someone else built another happy family in the same house at some point. I wish I could go back to my childhood house.
Shelley says
This is great. Just think…every house has its own story!
Shannon says
Such an awesome post! It’s great that you get to learn some of the history of your house and appreciate it that much more!
Kelly says
Very cool! We have been lucky enough to learn tons about our house’s old history (it’s from the 1880’s), because the daughter of it’s former owners lives 2 doors down from us and half the town took piano lessons in it at some point :) We learn new things all the time and it’s so much fun!
Sarah says
What a moving post! I started crying and, like the previous poster, I don’t even know you or the original owner!
Melissa says
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing the lovely story. :)
Mrslimestone says
Wow, this is awesome. I would just love some old photos taken inside my house. I’m told everything was thrown away long before I got here which makes me terribly sad. You’re so lucky to have this history.
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
That is truly amazing that you were able to talk with a member of the original family! Our house is almost a hundred years old, so no chance of talking to the original homeowners, I am afraid! This reminds me that I’ve been wanting to post about some research I did on our home a few months back. Thanks for the lovely story!
Jenny
http://www.wordsonwendhurst.blogspot.com
Jenni O says
So fun! We are the second owners of our vintage 60s house. We didn’t know a lot about the family (except that they had 4 kids, and the mother was a prolific sewer…my sewing machine is in the same place as hers was!). Until one day at Home Depot when ordering a new sink for our bathroom remodel. The woman helping us heard our address, and then burst out that she grew up in our house! She was excited to tell us about the darts she played with her siblings in the garage (now den), their big backyard (which we love) and the great sledding hill that is one of the neighborhood streets (of course!). Turns out she drives by our house every once and awhile and told us she likes what we’ve done so far to the outside. Score!
Yocelyn says
How awesome is that! It really just adds to the coolness of the house.
Nicole says
This is the BEST story ever! I love it… what amazing history!
Jeannine @ Small and Chic says
I was tearing up, too. What a fantastic connection to have made. Those old photos of that family in your house are so touching and wonderful. Hmm…they’d look great in white frames. :)
Gracia says
That’s so interesting! My grandparents live in a house from the 14th century, and I love that it’s part of lots of local tales and legends. In my case, I’m the first person to have ever lived in this apartment, so no interesting story for me!
Jessica M says
What a wonderful story! I love historic buildings as well as genealogy, and I would LOVE to know more about our ranch built in 1957. We’ve lived here 3 years, and I’m just starting to do a little research… I do know it was built in one of the first planned subdivisions in our city. It’s a large neighborhood of ranches – both contemporary and traditional – with several parks throughout. If you ever do research on the history of the ranch home in particular, that’s quite fascinating in itself!
Katie says
Awesome story! Did you end up mailing the drawing to her?
Kristina @ My Heart Behaves says
Wow. Sitting in my cube in Dallas, teary-eyed after reading this latest post! This is just about the coolest thing I’ve seen on a blog. Just fascinating and heart-warming!!!
Ashley says
This is just a wonderful story! That’s so awesome that she contacted you! Our home is from the 60’s – I would love to hear from the original owners. Thanks for sharing this!
Ken says
What a great opportunity for you to know some history of the house you own. Makes it more personal and special.
Tiki says
Loved reading this and seeing the old pictures. Amazing! It think you and this old house were really meant to be. :)
Maura says
Loved hearing more about the story of your house. Our new house that we are DIYing has a less “warm” past. We thought it had been a rental for a few years…then talked to a neighbor and found out it had been a rental for 40 years!
Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog says
What an interesting post! I love how the past owners cared about the home as much as you do today.
Kellie says
It really does make the house feel more special, huh? My house was built in 1924, and the family that owned it prior to me owned it since 1950. I researched previous owners and found that none of the owners before 1950 are alive, and neither are their descendants. I was disappointed because I’m sure there are old photos of my house floating around somewhere.
Luckily, the woman who lived in my house for 58 years is still alive and well at 96 years-old. Her daughter and granddaughter have been very kind, and have brought me all sorts of cool old photos of the garage being added onto, and the covered patio being built (weirdly similar to you guys), along with family pictures taken on the front porch.
I know that they drive by every now and then, and I post pictures of the things I do to the house on Facebook mostly for their benefit. I know that they’re all very happy that the house that so many generations grew up in is being well taken care of.
heather s. says
I loved reading this. Lisa’s father truly was a DIY-er! I don’t know anything about my house but my parents’ home was my great grandparents’ home so I love finding old family pictures to see how the house has changed.
Mary says
I’m glad to know I am not the only sappy one who shed a few tears from this post! It’s amazing that you guys have been fortunate enough to get in contact with this lady! How awesome!!!
Danielle says
Awww…that is too sweet that she wrote to you and told you this. Was this the person that you bought the house from or was there another home owner before you?
kim says
WOW! How NEAT is that!!
Would you mind sharing where your dining table/chairs is from? Pretty please?
YoungHouseLove says
Danielle- There was one owner for five years between the original owners and us- but it’s pretty cool to think after all those years our home has only had three owners!
Kim- The table and chairs in our dining area are from Target. We don’t believe the same exact ones are still being sold, but just look for clean lines when it comes to the legs for a similar look. Oh and you can find a source list that details where everything in our entire house is from by visiting our House Tour tab (under the header) and following the link in the first paragraph to our room by room source guide. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Tracy says
WOW! I love it!
As a history teacher, I live for these old stories!!! My home was built in 1953 and all of the neighbors tell me 7 kids grew up in my tiny ranch house that just I and two kitties & a doggy live in now!!! I would love to find out those types of stories!
So cool!
-Tracy
Victoria says
I so enjoyed this post. Love hearing the history of houses!
kitty says
Put the baby down long enough to catch up on the blog – what a great post!! xoxoxo
Lara Jane says
As a general “house voyeur,” my thanks goes out to Lisa for sharing some of your/her house’s history. I just love that!
Bree C. says
Like Jenni O, we are the second owners of our 1960’s house. The woman who lived here before we bought it had moved up north to be with her children, as she had grown too old to care for herself. We never met her, but a few months ago, her entire family showed up at our door. She had passed away, and they had flown her back to be buried with her husband, and they just wanted to see the house one last time.
We had redone EVERYTHING in the house, as we had bought it in its completely original 1960’s condition, and they were so excited to see it have a new life. Because of our experience, I’ve been waiting to hear about yours since you hinted about it a few weeks ago!
Tiki says
Totally random question, but how do I get a little picture to pop up next to my comment?
Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Tiki- Here’s an old post all about how to get those cute little comment photos to show up: https://www.younghouselove.com/bloggy-bonuses/
Kim- The storage bench is from Bed Bath & Beyond (they are a bit taller than the Target ones so they work better at a table since the height is right). The table is solid wood and we love how it has held up. For the money, you just can’t beat it. As for how long it is, the table is 52″ and the dining area is 12′ wide. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jen Z. says
What a great post! Great history. Love all the pictures. Some great stories to pass down when you have a family of your own. Good stuff!
jbhat says
Best. Post. Ever. Thank you, Lisa!
jbhat
Jennifer says
What an awesome story! You two are so lucky that Lisa contacted you and shared it. Great post!
Johnna says
OMG!!!! I heart this story!! How sweet!!!
I live in a 1950’s home as well and my husband and I are also only the third owners! It would be so cool to be in touch with the people who used to live in our place!
You guys are a little piece of inspiration everyday! Thank you
Hannah says
This is such an exciting and wonderful discovery for you two. My parents bought the house that I grew up in about 22 years ago. They bought it from the original owners who actually designed and built the house themselves. The original home owner was an architect and contractor. The man that built it, along with his wife and kids used to stop by about every other year and my parents would give them a full tour of the house so they could see all that we had done with it. They made their little visits all the way up until the man passed away about 5 years ago. The oldest daughter has stopped by a few times since then. She tells my parents every time she visits that if they ever decide to sell the house to call her first!
kim says
Thank you!! Okay, now.. is the bench also from Target? And is the table hardwood? Have you been happy with how it’s held up? Okay, okay – I’m done! Off to find that list..
kim says
Oh man, I totally lied. I’m not done. Can you tell me how long your table is in that space? OKAY, now I’m DONE, PROMISE!!
Beth-BTW says
Very, very cool. It’s great to have history – happy history, especially! I am glad that Lisa likes what you have done to the place. A friend asked the other day what I and others thought the previous owners of your house thought about all of the changes. I assumed that they would be happy that it was well-loved. Glad I was right!
- Sarah :-) says
Wow – that’s amazing! My husband and I just bought our first home (a townhome) from the original owner. It’s not as old as your home, but she’s owned it since it was built in 94 (I believe). She didn’t do much to update it, though, so we’re picking up the slack on that end.
But seriously – this is SI cool to have old pictures and history behind your home. Congrats in getting in touch with someone!
kim says
Thank you for putting up with me :O)
What finish is your table? Espresso? Ack, I said I was done!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kim,
Yup, it’s espresso!
xo,
s
kim says
I’m sorry for being a pain :O).. hopefully once I find the right table, I’ll be able to e-mail you pictures of why this was such an issue to begin with, hehe.
Tiki says
Thanks! I don’t know how I missed that post, I have you on my google reader feed. Let’s see if it works….
nat says
i cried, too! i love reading about these connections to the past.
Kevin M says
Very cool. We just moved into a new home (for us) 2 weeks ago and the previous owners left a bunch of manuals and other stuff for us. The real find though was the communication between the original owners and the subdivision building committee. There was some interesting back and forth before the home was built. Not nearly as interesting as your story, but pretty neat to read. They also left the home’s blueprints, which I thought might be a cool thing to hang on the wall at some point.
Sandra says
Floyd really does sound like the original DIYer. It must be karma or the balance of the universe that drew you guys to this house!
Super cool post.