I was born many, many moons ago at Provident Hospital to the beloved union of Lemage Samuel Fambro Jr. (“L.S.”) and Lois DeRuth Davenport Fambro. My first home was in Bronzeville on what was then South Parkway Ave. – now Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Several months later, our small family of three (I’m an only child) was required to move because the apartment building where we lived and others around it were to be razed to make room for the massive Ida B. Wells housing development complex.
The Fambro clan moved temporarily to 433 E. 45th St., a huge brownstone owned my mom’s sister and her husband, Agnes and Ralph Thornton. About a year or so later, we moved again to West Woodlawn to a two-flat at 6627 S. Langley Ave., which my parents had purchased. All this was told to me, because I was an infant/toddler at the time and my memory does not go back that far.
I just loved Auntie and Uncle Ralph’s huge multi-roomed house and spent a lot of time there as I was growing up. There was a first and second parlor, a dining room, a walk-thru pantry and a large kitchen on the first floor. A front and a rear staircase led up to the second floor that had several bedrooms and baths. The master bedroom was across the front of the house, and it had a view of 45th St., looking left (or west) of South Parkway.
I had always envisioned having my sweet sixteen birthday party and a New Year’s Eve Party in the Thornton home (in my mind, it was a mansion). In my head I had planned both of these events down to the most minute of details. So just imagine my dismay when I learned that they had sold their home in Bronzeville and bought a two-flat in Park Manor.
How could I have these two big parties there? It was much too small to accommodate my guests. And why wasn’t I consulted? They both knew of my plans. I was so hurt, but later than sooner I got over it and never shared my sad feelings with anyone! By the way, I never had a sweet sixteen party nor did I ever host a New Year’s Eve gala. There were other parties I gave over the years, but not like the ones planned in my young mind.
Okay! Now, fast forward to May 15, 2009, the day the Chicago Defender moved from downtown on Michigan Ave. to Bronzeville at 4445 S. King Dr., the fifth home since its founding in 1905 by Robert S. Abbott.
It was quite a memorable day! There were cheers and tears as we came back home “to the community” – “to the hood.” I walked around the premises – both inside and out. At the back of the new Chicago Defender building (once the Metropolitan Funeral Home) I looked across and saw several houses on E. 45th St. On one door was the number “433.” There it was - my second home! I had lived there sooooo many years ago. I walked across the street but resisted going up to the door and knocking. At some point, I do want to go inside and walk through .
But not right now. One day in the not too distant future, I will send a note or mail this blog to “The Occupant” and request for a brief visit and walk-thru, but not now! On second thought, I may even forego the visit altogether. I am so afraid that the house has “shrunk” and it won’t seem as huge as I want to remember it.
Should I or shouldn’t I? Your comments, dear readers, are more than welcome! Please let me hear from you. I could really use your advice.
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