Thanksgiving in Irvington in 1956

The Caldwell family, of 81 North Hawthorne Lane, had much to be thankful for in 1956. Both of their adult children had begun their careers and Howard Caldwell, Sr. still managed a thriving advertising firm. On Thanksgiving Day, the Gruenholz family drove over from Terre Haute, Indiana to celebrate the day with the Caldwells. Lynn Gruenholz had married Howard Caldwell, Jr. on March 16, 1955, so it was their second holiday season as a couple. The Indianapolis Star revealed that on the previous evening a winter storm raked the northern part of the state but left only a few slick spots in central Indiana. The temperatures that year barely climbed above freezing as Irvington families began to carve their turkeys.

Elsie Felt Caldwell lit the candles for the Thanksgiving meal at 81 North Hawthorne Lane in 1956 while Helen Gruenholz, the mother of Lynn Gruenholz Caldwell, poured the water. (photo courtesy of Ginny Hingst)

Howard Caldwell, Sr. snapped this Thanksgiving shot  in 1956 in the Caldwell home at 81 North Hawthorne Lane just before the prayer. Seated on the left: Lynn Gruenholz Caldwell and her husband Howard Caldwell, Jr. Elsie Felt Caldwell sat at the head of the table; Seated at the right: Albert Gruenholz, Herm Gruenholz, and Helen Gruenholz of Terre Haute, Indiana. Notice the turkey and all of the food on the tray next to Mr. Caldwell's chair.  (photo courtesy of Ginny Hingst)

81 North Hawthorne Lane in the winter of 1943  (photo courtesy of Ginny Hingst)

A special thanks to Ginny Hingst, the granddaughter of Howard and Elsie Felt Caldwell, for the use of the photos and the stories.