What $10,990 bought in 1955.... [View all]

[PCIntern]

Remember when prices were so interesting that when asked what price was paid for a home, my mom and dad used to say the above number rather than 11000 dollars. The mortgage and taxes were 102 dollars monthly which was about a week's net for the family in those days. This is what the cinder-block house consisted of:

Three bedrooms
One bath
Living room
Kitchen with stainless steel countertops, garbage disposal (batch type), dishwasher, oven/range, refrigerator, and real wood cabinets with brass hinges.
Central Air Conditioner
Utility room with Bendix Washer/dryer, incinerator (!), instant hot water coil rather than water heater, thus infinite supply of hot water
shingled roof in any color desired
poured concrete window boxes
Large multi-pane bay window
ONE-THIRD of an acre of land
Mecatum driveway and carport (concrete reinforced)
Planted grass and proper grading
Sewer system (rather than septic tank or cesspool(!)

This price was level for years AND the schools systems in suburban Philly in this particular region, while not fantastic, were serviceable. The neighborhood was mixed-religious (although not racially integrated) and fairly tolerant of most folk. People enjoyed the air, the ground, and the conviviality. We were an evolving, striving, hopeful group for the most part, even though there was the usual marital/personal/family stuff going on.

Just a reflection on a quiet Sunday...