[PRCo] Re: 22 Crosstown

[Dennis Fred Cramer]

Matt,

Thanks.  My grandmother lived just north of here on North Taylor and I 
remember visiting this neighborhood before it went downhill.  I believe they 
are now rehabilitating the Garden Theater into something a little more 
positive than what it was during the years of degradation in this area.

Even the Widow's Home, where Grandma Cramer lived from the early '50's till 
the end of her life in 1972, has been renovated and turned into upscale 
apartments.  A far cry from the one-room apartment with coal heat (she had 
to carry the coal up from the basement in a bucket), cold running water and 
large outdoor pit toilet in the back.  The matron looked after all the 
widows.  The pit toilet lasted until the mid-'60's.

My brother & I spent a lot of time wandering West Park as kids.


Dennis F. Cramer
      Trombone