New Lenox (in progress updated 1-10-25)

The second house I remember was in New Lenox Illinois. The town was originally named Tracey in honor of the general superintendent of the Rock Island Railroad. Mr. Tracy later requested that the community be renamed New Lenox after the Township which was named after Lenox, New York. The Village of New Lenox wasn't officially created until October 4, 1946. New Lenox is known as "The Home of Proud Americans", which exemplifies the quality of life in the community.

329 Poplar Lane, New Lenox Illinois. It looks a lot different now than when it did when I left. When I left in 1869, the garage wasn't there nor was the connecting structure to the house. Dad built all that. The second garage (far right) wasn't there either. It looks great now.  

I went from 6th grade at Oster-Oakview school through Lincoln-Way High School (now called LW Central...there are 3 LWs now) in this house. I was baptized in the First Baptist Church of New Lenox just after I turned 18.  

I can't say that I did it because of my "beliefs". At that age and during that time I was interested in only 3 things; cars, girls and the Vietnam draft. I was 1A and could not get out of it. So, I enlisted in the Navy. Looking back, I really can't say that I was a "Christian" man, I was just "covering all the bases" with the baptism. 

I loved this house, at the end of a dead-end street. There was a lot of land with it. We grew just about all the fruit and vegetables we needed. Mom canned enough to get us through the winter. We also raised chickens for eggs and meat. At the far end there was a creek running through it. I could have an adventure every day.