Exploring our Roots, Part 2: Finding the Nichols' Homes.

LaVern's grand-daughter, Ryanne Faye, is the third generation to carry the middle name of Fay and I have to say that at age 12 Ryanne was especially excited about the history of Mitchell,SD. Wes was also excited to see the homes his mother had grown up in--- the locals of stories of her life he'd heard about since his youth.

One of the first places we drove past in Mitchell was a park. The kids wanted to play! They wondered if Gramma had ever played at this park when she was a girl.

 Silliness!

  Melissa's Journal: July 2010 We had a great day in Mitchell South Dakota today. We spent the morning packing up camp and visiting the places where mom (LaVern) grew up. I really was excited to see these places. I thought I would be bored, but I came alive with the spirit of Elijah as we visited mom's homes. Wes was giddy with enthusiasm.





The view down Hanson Street. 





When we got to Hanson Street, we couldn't figure out which house it was.  We knew was that it was on the 700 or 800 block and had a covered-in porch. 



We drove back and forth several times along the street looking at houses.





LaVern didn't know the address of her home.  Despairing, we realized we would never know which home was LaVern's. So we took several pictures of candidates to show her when we returned.





There were a lot of cute old homes on the 700 and 800 blocks of Hanson Street.





Finally we parked and exited the car. Just as we did and old lady zoomed over in her car and hollered at us. She literally chased us down in her car! She lived on the street and suspected we were looking for our "roots". So she invited us into her home where she located a 1955 town directory so she could help us find out where Vern and Ruby Nichols had lived. Sure enough, she found the house address, and it just happened to be the house next door to hers! We chatted with her for a good half hour and loved it. Well, Wes and I loved it. The younger three kids grew restless and went outside to tumble around in the grass. Ryanne counted herself as an adult and stayed inside with us to visit. Our new friend, Jenette Baas, was a faithful, devoted Christian-- Presbyterian--and I believe the spirit worked through her to help us accomplish our mission. We are thankful for her kindness.



After we left her home, we went next door. The owner, another older lady named Gretta, wasn't home, but we took pictures of 709 East Hanson Street--

The home LaVern was raised in:








"Gramma really lived here when she was our ages?" 
"Cool!" 





Our next stop was South Duff Street.




This was the house LaVern lived in when she was a toddler.










The field across the street. 




Since we knew that address, it was easy to find!





We knocked on the door and were greeted by Melvin and Lureta Weber.






After explaining why we were there, they let us enter and take pictures.





They were excited to talk with us. They also had documents. The Title of the house had been handed down through the different owners.



We made copies! Melvin had been a farmer for many years and he wanted to show us his garden.



He bragged over his prize rhubarb and lauded his tomatoes.



I loved it. He and his wife gave me seeds they had meticulously collected from their own moss roses.  I will plant them and have a little of South Dakota right in my own yard!  The kids were ultimately bored by the time we were done but managed to be polite and obedient. We took pictures, thanked our new friends, and moved on to find the Davison County Courthouse.

 This is where Gramma attended church meetings when she was a girl. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 Enscribed on the courthouse:

"Righteousness Exalteth a Nation."

 "Where law ends, tyranny begins." 

I like the words enscripted on these walls.