Emma VanDuzer with Margaret and Claire Hansen 1943. Picture saved from the 1950 fire.
In 1950 The Hansen Family (Harold, Betty (Margaret), daughters Margaret and Claire) were living in a house on property owned by Emma VanDuzer (Nana) on South Auburn Street in Grass Valley. Nana's house was behind what is now A&A Sheet Metal. Where that building sits now is where the apple and pear orchard was, as well as a berry patch. Across the driveway from Nana's house was a very small cottage which she rented out and next to that house was the house that burned. Sometime ago someone bulldozed a parking area where the Hansen Family house was that is now level with South Auburn Street. Another house was never built where the Hansen house was. Nana's house eventually burned down; another one was built on the same spot and it also burned down. The third building is now Vela Massage Retreat.
The Hansen house burned down in 1950. Mom (Margaret) was 9 and in the third grade. Claire was 7. Grandma (Betty) and Claire were visiting over at Nana's house when their house caught on fire and they watched in horror as it burned. The GV Volunteer Fire Department came, but before they got there several neighbors went into the house and removed the piano, Grandma's cedar chest, some kitchen chairs and a few other things in the kitchen they could reach.
After the fire the Hansen family went to live with Nana in her house. Townspeople brought clothing and household goods to help and a collection was taken up by neighbors to purchase blankets. * Information provided by Margaret Hansen Boothby. *
This is where I have begun my digital archiving. I have a box of charred and blackened pictures and items that were rescued from the house before it burned. They are snapshots of family life pre-1950 and have a unique history all their own.
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| Margaret Hansen and Don Holman. Looks like a back to school picture! |
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| Harold Hansen with Claire Hansen. |
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| Christmas 1945-46? Margaret and Claire Hansen. |
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| Fran and Joe Holman probably with Jim as a baby. |
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| Margaret Hansen 1941 |
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| Claire and Margaret Hansen. Winter 1945-46? I'm so glad this one survived. A favorite! |
*Emma Lavinia King Hayes VanDuzer (Nana) m. Lester Franklin Hayes 1908 San Francisco, CA
*Dorothy Ross Hayes Arthur (Auntie Dot) b. 1910 d. 1989
*Francis Charlotte Hayes Holman (Auntie Fran) b. 1911 d. 2003
*Margaret Elizabeth Hayes Hansen (Betty/Grandma) b.1917 d.1991
Mom says that the cause of the house fire was never officially determined, but the suspected cause was the electrical wiring. It was a pretty flimsy house according to Mom.
ReplyDeleteMom remembers a clear picture of the Christmas scene with Claire and herself. There is a little ironing board and iron in the picture. The iron actually plugged in and heated up! She used to iron handkerchiefs on it. She says she still loves ironing as it it quite satisfying. She also said that the huge mirror behind the tree was used by Nana (Emma VanDuzer) when she had bridal clients who came for fittings with their gowns. They put the tree in front of it every year for dramatic effect. It was nearly as tall as the ceiling and was wired to the walls to make sure it would not fall down!
ReplyDeleteMom also has a memory about the picture of her in the snowsuit. She said it was red wool and smelled really funny when it got wet.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine!