Restoration

Restoration Begins

Restoration Begins

From somewhere that I cannot recall, I heard Paul and Barbara Crews were restoring the house at 5003 Tremont. I had never dreamed that would happen. I quickly gave them a call and soon met Paul at the house when he was working on it. I spent one day helping him pour the concrete banisters for the porch so I could say I had a part in it. I probably was more in the way than helpful but I wanted to be even a token part of the restoration. Paul had determined the only logical place for the stairway but asked me to confirm his decision anyway. I put together a booklet with pictures, descriptions and a short history of the house. Paul and Barbara said they would give the booklet to whomever bought the house. Fortunately, this was passed to Rob and Sharon Smith. The pictures of my sister’s wedding reception in 1948 that were enclosed later became instrumental in bringing national television coverage to the house.

Restoration on the West Side Notice the remaining side walk of 1954 to the west downstairs apartment

Restoration on the West Side
Notice the remaining side walk of 1954 to the west downstairs apartment

Paul and Barbara were interesting; if there was a suspicion of a crime Paul was off to offer help or warn the neighbors. At one time we discussed what Munger Boulevard had once been with the tree-lined esplanade, Paul said, “let’s bring it back.” I thought he was dreaming but when single member districts came to the city something like that happened. However, it was not the beautiful boulevard that existed for the first fifty or so years. A narrow divide was constructed with some trees that still exist at this writing but even though it falls far short, at least something was done.

When we discussed the streetcar line that once ran down Collett, Paul again said “Let’s bring it back!” That is rather ambitious and we are still waiting for it.