There is little that delights Bossy as much as history, but there is nothing that leaves her sadder than looking at historic photos of her neighborhood.
Like many neighborhoods on the outskirts of a major city, Bossy’s town dates back to the laying of the railroad in the 1850s — and its growth was supported by the construction of a college.
Bossy is lucky to live in a place where most of the original houses and general layout remain. But many things were lost to progress, where progress equals cars cars and also some cars.
Bossy always says she could never live in her village if she had seen it with its farms and spring houses and stone water towers. And space, space, space.
Bossy’s unique house was built on a cow pasture — along with eighteen houses exactly like it — in the 1950s. Bossy’s lot was defined by a quaint stream which used to run along the back and cut toward the front, but all that changed exactly never, and explains everything.
Bossy and her husband are only the third owners of their house, whose history could be summed up this way: Previous owners threw enormous parties. Purchased house based on this.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you share with Bossy and her council something you know about the history of the town or house where you are living?
And be sure to check back later today for the best historical brevity on the web.
And about that? Bossy has the best commenters in the world. If you missed yesterday’s autopsy comments, click here — it’s not too late!
Lorrie says
June 30, 2009 at 9:13 amthe original superman was born and lived in my town
carson says
June 30, 2009 at 9:19 amPrevious landowner parked truck on railroad tracks. Train came. Splat.
delilah says
June 30, 2009 at 9:21 amTheodore Roosevelt married in my mill town unburned by Sherman.
Lordy, but I love this little suburb. We’ve even got quaint ghosts.
Michele P says
June 30, 2009 at 9:21 am1880 farmhouse on 200 acres; sadly less than one left.
BOSSY says
June 30, 2009 at 9:22 amTwo cats shared basement litter box. Humid days? Smell lingers.
Michele P says
June 30, 2009 at 9:22 amThey raised pigs, then chicken. We just raise some hell.
BOSSY says
June 30, 2009 at 9:23 amBossy’s town has quaker roots. Good politics, no liquor. Boo!
BOSSY says
June 30, 2009 at 9:24 amWas friends with previous owners for years prior to purchase.
Hokie Deb (www.WebSavyMom.com) says
June 30, 2009 at 9:28 am–>Colonists landed first in Virginia Beach before settling in Jamestown.
http://www.WebSavyMom.com
krg says
June 30, 2009 at 9:31 amour town is home to the illinois stateville correctional center.
aj says
June 30, 2009 at 9:32 amHouston – history almost always torn down for “improvement.” Little left.
dgm says
June 30, 2009 at 9:32 amNixon bought his Western White House here, and no wonder.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
June 30, 2009 at 9:38 amWhere I grew up (Fall River MA) is more historical than where I am now.
Lizzie Borden took an axe. Gave her Mother forty whacks.
Bobbie says
June 30, 2009 at 9:40 amPrevious owner’s wife ran off with next door neighbor’s husband!
lora says
June 30, 2009 at 9:43 amI wonder what my 140+ year old house has seen
Chookooloonks says
June 30, 2009 at 9:44 amJewish family moved, left their mezuzah, touch it every day!
Melizzard says
June 30, 2009 at 9:50 amMy house was entirely pink inside every wall every room.
SueBoo says
June 30, 2009 at 9:53 amFort Wayne Indiana’s former mayor’s name was Harry Baals. Word.
JennC says
June 30, 2009 at 9:55 amHouse built in 1978. Creaks like it was built in 1878.
kd says
June 30, 2009 at 9:58 amCarol Channing once ate in my dining room. Previous owner.
Molly says
June 30, 2009 at 9:59 amNeighborhood built for Lockheed workers, complete with bus to work.
jp says
June 30, 2009 at 10:02 amShoddily built in 1973, everything crooked, been repairing since 1996!!!
Cathy D. says
June 30, 2009 at 10:02 amNamed after General ‘Mad’ Anthony Wayne. Ft. Wayne=Crazy town.
BossysMom says
June 30, 2009 at 10:04 ammoved to our town and brought our schtetle with us. spelling?
Golden says
June 30, 2009 at 10:04 amOld chicken pig farm. My town is an old shoe-making town.
Shelley says
June 30, 2009 at 10:06 amDinosaurs walked here, I saw the footprints on a hill.
BossysMom says
June 30, 2009 at 10:06 am10 children with parents in my house. Now complain of 3 people.
julie says
June 30, 2009 at 10:10 amBuilt 1880’s, briefly chiropracter’s office with spa in dining room.
BossysMom says
June 30, 2009 at 10:11 amFound hidden 100 yr old huge cigar, thought it was 100yr old discinegrated money!
sherry says
June 30, 2009 at 10:12 amNeighbor used to golf where subdivision is now. Progress?
LeahBear says
June 30, 2009 at 10:14 amFirst house on street, Gmaw has been its only owner.
p.j. says
June 30, 2009 at 10:19 am1896-brick- 2 staircases (1 with oak gingerbread) -1380 square feet- limestone foundation crumbling.
numbers don’t count for words, right?
Brava97 says
June 30, 2009 at 10:22 amPrevious owner loved pink and blue decor. Like a nursery!
Jamie says
June 30, 2009 at 10:23 amSouth of loop, printers printed in long warehouses. Now lofts.
Momo Fali says
June 30, 2009 at 10:26 amA lady used to raise birds on our back porch.
Jen Tucker says
June 30, 2009 at 10:28 amCity named after John Greenleaf Whittier. He’s never been here.
bdaiss says
June 30, 2009 at 10:29 amTown traces back to Native American Lakota, called Paha Sapa.
Oldest city still in existence in county. Much history abounds.
Only school district allowed to use Smoky Bear as mascot!
(Seriously…how cool is that?!?!)
For those from Chicago – Sue found here. Major controversy arises. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sue_(dinosaur).jpg)
Kait says
June 30, 2009 at 10:34 amSecond owners of ’50s house – first were Republican with guns
Michele P says
June 30, 2009 at 10:34 amPreviously family of 8. Had to add on for us 4.
Your Buddy Bob says
June 30, 2009 at 10:39 am1857 Quaker farm house built on what became a highway.
Originallly 2 rooms by threee stories; firepalces on either side of house in 1st two floors. Today, cut through the bathroom (previous sewing room) to third floor.
Is that ten?
heidig says
June 30, 2009 at 10:52 amprevious owner claimed she was interior designer. house never re-decorated since 1971 – including cobwebs!
Camille says
June 30, 2009 at 11:00 amFood room door stolen from a hotel somewhere. Room 26.
skip says
June 30, 2009 at 11:05 amBuilt 1895 by stonemason working on state capitol, midnight supply
Gail says
June 30, 2009 at 11:12 amOld Georgia house built 1854.Used as Confederate hospital. Haunted.
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
June 30, 2009 at 11:16 amScott Peterson (infamous pregnant wife killer) happy toddler next door.
Choosy says
June 30, 2009 at 11:20 amNone of the 5 kids wanted it. reasons quickly apparent.
K says
June 30, 2009 at 11:22 amI am confused… house or town – I shall do both.
House:
Original owner ran out of money, all finishing work shoddy.
Town:
Named for Lynch: expression from different time than you think.
vintage_schwinn says
June 30, 2009 at 11:28 amhouse: Built before people had a need for closets outside bedrooms.
town: Was an orchard; became housing for returning WWII vets.
Kris says
June 30, 2009 at 11:28 amPrevious owners were killed in tragic car accident. Got ghosts????????
Kris says
June 30, 2009 at 11:29 amHome next to old military fort used during Indian wars.
wicked-witch says
June 30, 2009 at 11:39 amGeneric townhouse, one of many, I’m one of “those” people.
Neighborhood called “Center of the Universe,” has statue of Lenin.
Lisa says
June 30, 2009 at 11:43 amHome–1927 english tudor, light airy and so not scary. 3rd owners too, Boss.
Town–Aberdeen, WA.. birthplace of one certain Cobain boy, and his bff Kris Novoselic..(my favorite)
Acher says
June 30, 2009 at 11:53 amgangsters, mafia, crooked politicians, great restaurants, neighborhood bars, LOVE IT!
David says
June 30, 2009 at 11:53 amApparently my town was bought from some Native Americans with beads by some wily Dutch traders.
Dr. Liz says
June 30, 2009 at 12:02 pmWorld ski jumping records set on neighborhood hill in 1930s.
Lisa Rae @ smacksy says
June 30, 2009 at 12:03 pmHouse built in 1912 – last owner was Lenny Bruce’s dad.
Dr. Liz says
June 30, 2009 at 12:07 pmHouse: Original owner’s wife ran off with contractor – husband hung himself (supposedly in the stairwell – and yes, we do have a ghost – not sure if it is the husband or someone else… and no, words in parentheses Do Not count towards the 10 *grin*.)
Tatiana says
June 30, 2009 at 12:07 pmStrange street names the norm. Blue February. Sun Circle Way.
Julie says
June 30, 2009 at 12:27 pmI can never do the 10 word thing so I won’t even try. We live in one of the oldest parts of our city but our house is only 2 years old. The house that was here burnt down about 3 years ago (we didn’t live here at the time)…if I go on the Net and type in my address, there are pics of the old house on fire…it was one of the worst house fires in the city…bizarre to see. The house has good karma though… old house burnt because car in garage caught fire…wasn’t the house’s fault, so no bad karma!lol
Jane says
June 30, 2009 at 12:33 pmUsed to be orange groves and oil wells-now dense population.
anne marie in philly says
June 30, 2009 at 12:36 pmthree houses on my block look exactly like mine. kewl!
(full disclosure – 4 houses built on former farmland for 4 siblings and their families. house built in 1941. spouse and I are owner #5.)
junebug says
June 30, 2009 at 12:38 pmRed brick house built in 1979. We’re the second owners.
Lori says
June 30, 2009 at 12:40 pmGhost hunters claim sleepy New England town’s Town Hall haunted.
junebug says
June 30, 2009 at 12:40 pmOur town is the home to the first Drummond home. Historical.
Cactus Petunia says
June 30, 2009 at 12:44 pmCamp Cactus was built in 1910…100th birthday next year!
Gette says
June 30, 2009 at 12:44 pmBoarding house built by a railroader with poor measuring skills.
Sarah Culpepper says
June 30, 2009 at 12:45 pmRich people came to live here and make richer babies.
Gette says
June 30, 2009 at 12:49 pmTown is “Goose Capitol of the USA,”- Canada goose flyway.
Catherine McP says
June 30, 2009 at 12:59 pmTown saloons: “The horny toad” & “The satisfied frog” Fun.
Maria says
June 30, 2009 at 1:01 pmLumber mills, lobster, art and Yankee ‘make-do’ mentality. Ayah.
Jen H says
June 30, 2009 at 1:01 pmNew house in 2003.No history.Wish we had ghosts.
Audubon Ron says
June 30, 2009 at 1:02 pmExplorers Iberrville/Bienville sailed into our bay on April 12, 1699
Jenny says
June 30, 2009 at 1:07 pmConcrete bunker, to withstand nuclear holocaust. Also great for toddlers.
DemMom says
June 30, 2009 at 1:10 pmHouse: Previous/only other owner security freak, windows sealed shut.
Town: Capital of the Confederacy, Monument Avenue, James River, Much History
Tasha says
June 30, 2009 at 1:11 pmFounded on sausage. Full of chubby midwesterners. Moving soon. Yay!
Audubon Ron says
June 30, 2009 at 1:14 pmAl Capone said the best moonshine came from my hood.
Franca Bollo says
June 30, 2009 at 1:14 pm1907. Built after 1906 San Francisco Earthquake destroyed the original.
Audubon Ron says
June 30, 2009 at 1:15 pmWhere I live was once named Chicapoula, meaning bad grass.
(Ga-head, I know what you’re thinking. The Choctaws weren’t smoking mutta).
rockle says
June 30, 2009 at 1:18 pmthey used to make mrs. smiths pies there. mmm, pie.
Audubon Ron says
June 30, 2009 at 1:19 pmThe FBI re-opens Mack Charles Parker lynching in my hood.
Sandy_Shoes says
June 30, 2009 at 1:20 pmThird oldest town in NC, celebrating 300 years in 2009!
Kelly H says
June 30, 2009 at 1:28 pm1906 SF earthquake killed 100s in my town 1hr north
Audubon Ron says
June 30, 2009 at 1:28 pmNASA tests shuttle rocket engines here, Wernher vonBraun slept here.
Kate says
June 30, 2009 at 1:38 pmTown founder beheaded by Indians. Head recovered two years later.
Colette says
June 30, 2009 at 1:39 pmUnder the city are tunnels from the river. They were used by pirates and rumrunners.
Michele P says
June 30, 2009 at 1:44 pmTown: First public library in country, books donated by Benjamin Franklin
Caroline says
June 30, 2009 at 1:46 pmHome of Kukaniloko Birthing Stones, where ancient queens gave birth.
Jess says
June 30, 2009 at 1:46 pmEdgar Allan Poe died in my neighborhood.
julie says
June 30, 2009 at 1:47 pmTown:
Raised in OH farmtown; CNY village namesake is now home.
kristin says
June 30, 2009 at 2:01 pmContinuous family ownership for 120 years. We live with history.
Amelia says
June 30, 2009 at 2:03 pmTown: Wal-mart Headquarters here. May be evil, but lots of jobs.
House: Nothing much. Weird bedroom has no windows. Technically a closet?
Heide says
June 30, 2009 at 2:06 pmMilk compartment built into kitchen wall: before refrigeration.
Surcie says
June 30, 2009 at 2:15 pmWhite supremacists staged coup and overtook local government in 1898.
or
Town is 3rd after Hollywood and NYC for movie production.
Laurellee says
June 30, 2009 at 2:29 pmTurns 100 this year, if these walls could talk, Oy!
Niki in Baltimore says
June 30, 2009 at 2:33 pmTiny village engulfed by city pretends to be a suburb.
Eliza says
June 30, 2009 at 2:44 pmVancouver USA’s first planned neighborhood; homes for WWII shipyard workers.
darla78 says
June 30, 2009 at 2:44 pmdate built unknown
last owner cheapstake
used USED material throughout
Sallie says
June 30, 2009 at 2:47 pmI travel fulltime in an RV. No history. No troubles!
mab says
June 30, 2009 at 2:53 pmNASA suburb–redecorating an “I Dream of Jeanie” interior design
ranchgirl says
June 30, 2009 at 3:04 pmGeronimo born in my bedroom, slaughtered dozens in back yard.
Meg at the Members Lounge says
June 30, 2009 at 3:05 pmBasketball legend Bill Russell – driven out of my town. Sad.
janene says
June 30, 2009 at 3:07 pmhouse built on dairy farm land, cemetary in back yard
ranchgirl says
June 30, 2009 at 3:09 pmOnce largest cattle ranch in Southwest. Now only 50,000 acres.
Once hideout for train robbers, villains. Now only for me.
Still no neighbors, phone, cellular, mail delivery or power grid.
Still 50 miles to nearest groceries. Better have good garden!
Shelia says
June 30, 2009 at 3:19 pmCharleston invented history: The “war of northern aggression” started here.
MommyTime says
June 30, 2009 at 3:24 pm1820s: Townsfolk narrowly chose Leroy over Podunk for official name.
It’s totally true! Of course, the Governor preferred a more British-sounding name, which is why neither Leroy nor Podunk won the day. Also, my house was built on a lot that just covered up an open spring. Hence, our backyard is also a small lake every spring, and so is our basement. Ah, the brilliance of builders!
wendy says
June 30, 2009 at 3:44 pmFamily originally homesteaded farmhouse which now has friendly ghosts occasionally.
JessicaP says
June 30, 2009 at 3:44 pmCow’s here first – family farmland.
First iron T-rail! Revolutionized railroads!
rory says
June 30, 2009 at 4:38 pmOurs is one of the original thirteen houses in Sandbridge.
Reeb says
June 30, 2009 at 4:39 pmCalifornian couldn’t stand Washington weather. Good! Great house for us.
Jenna says
June 30, 2009 at 5:04 pmApartment building, 97 years old, wood lice to prove it.
Liz in Virginia says
June 30, 2009 at 5:04 pmCouple invited priest for dinner — priest and wife now married.
Liz in Virginia says
June 30, 2009 at 5:05 pmRory! I’ll be in Sandbridge next week!
wendi says
June 30, 2009 at 5:08 pmnothing grows in garden. believe previous owners buried nuclear waste.
joeinvegas says
June 30, 2009 at 5:14 pmMormons came here, some stayed, not for them now – Partay!!!
Lizzie says
June 30, 2009 at 5:34 pmArthur Ransome, the author of Swallows and Amazons, used to live in my building. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, I have decided he lived in my apartment.
martha in mobile says
June 30, 2009 at 6:07 pmFormer owner frequently opines: home was much nicer when hers.
Dharmamama says
June 30, 2009 at 6:50 pmHouse was built in 1930; same builder constructed Grammy’s house.
I knew when I walked in, energy just like hers.
em says
June 30, 2009 at 6:54 pmLA too much? Like, head to the Valley, you know?
L says
June 30, 2009 at 7:35 pmJust found out the land my house was built on belonged to the Grandparents of a lady I know. It was a farm and she would go over to her Grandparents house to play as a child. This lady is 97 years old and still remembers alot about her childhood.
Reeb says
June 30, 2009 at 7:55 pm51/wicked witch: I know Fremont (center of universe as well as Seattle) when I read it!
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
June 30, 2009 at 8:15 pm1. Mathews was founded in 1791, the last time I cleaned.
2. The last royal governor of Virginia was driven from Mathews.
3. Sally Thompkins-the only female commissioned in the Confederate Army.
4. In the 1800’s Mathews’ six shipyards produced over 2,000 vessels.
Happily Employed Susan says
June 30, 2009 at 8:30 pmSummer community, plots sold with newspaper subscriptions in the thirties.
sugarpie says
June 30, 2009 at 8:51 pmUn-zoned, country’s best arts city, unbeatable foreign restaurants, gottahavea car.
1970’s apartment, two extra big rooms, smurf sized kitchen, trees.
kay says
June 30, 2009 at 8:54 pmIf walls could talk, they’d say, “Lord, you’re a slob!”
AND
Town used to be a lake, which explains my basement.
kay says
June 30, 2009 at 8:54 pmI love Bossy’s commenters. They truly do rock. Hard.
tree says
June 30, 2009 at 8:56 pmTown named after end of trail of tears. Never leaving.
NellyFrittata says
June 30, 2009 at 9:07 pmToilet faces full length window facing street. WTF?
kim ellis says
June 30, 2009 at 9:14 pmmy street was a turnpike eons ago. still no stopsigns.
The Domestic Goddess says
June 30, 2009 at 9:14 pmSummer retreat for shoe factory workers, since it’s near trains.
Catherine McP says
June 30, 2009 at 9:37 pm2nd Post:
Horse coral for 10 horses, owned none, never will, clueless,
Deborah Non Blogger says
June 30, 2009 at 9:44 pmMiners cottage, verandahs, 100 years old, lost argument on colour.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitequeenbc/3259148153/in/photostream/
Ree (The Other One) says
June 30, 2009 at 10:24 pmBuilt in seventy-two with six others. Bye-bye farm.
helenel says
June 30, 2009 at 10:50 pmMom left; Dad raised 3 kids here with one shower.
86/Michele P. – I’m up 495 from you on 117! You have a great library!
Meg says
June 30, 2009 at 10:54 pmThis house and I were both born in the sixties.
Auds at Barking Mad says
June 30, 2009 at 11:02 pmOur street is named for a water duck or mosquito?
Kelly says
July 1, 2009 at 12:07 am10 year old house; city incorporated in 1989. Foreclosures abound.
Mack says
July 1, 2009 at 1:43 amProhibition, no males in sorority houses, big tax exempt university!
Lisa says
July 1, 2009 at 8:05 amPreviuos bought, decorated for mom,girl,and baby,she suicided.
Bush Babe of Granite Glen says
July 1, 2009 at 8:12 amGrandparents arrived with dreams, parents survived with drive… now us.
bossy's friend martha's sister says
July 1, 2009 at 8:36 amLots of people died in this civil war town.
unbalanced libran says
July 1, 2009 at 8:39 ammagnificent trees honour war dead, new house on dry paddock
MariaV says
July 1, 2009 at 8:44 amBuilt in the 1930s as Bronx summer house, no insulation
Pruett says
July 1, 2009 at 8:54 amCaretaker for oldest house in town – dates from 1692. Drafty!
Avitable says
July 1, 2009 at 8:59 amMy arrival improved the quality of the town 300 percent.
TanyaK says
July 1, 2009 at 9:09 amTown was built around a slaughterhouse. Eeewwwwwwwwwwwww! Very pretty now.
amy says
July 1, 2009 at 2:50 pmEsther Forbes (wrote Johnny Tremain) grew up in our house.
Geeg says
July 1, 2009 at 4:03 pmNo 90 degree angles in 200+ year old house.
Beth says
July 1, 2009 at 5:55 pmRussian Christians ran up the hill after earthquake, built here.
Liz in Virginia says
July 1, 2009 at 8:48 pmCounty farmers took grain to George Washington’s mill circa 1780.
Cool fact: Washington also ran a distillery adjacent to his gristmill at Mount Vernon; at one point his distillery was the largest producer of whiskey on the continent. Go, George!!
Reeb says
July 2, 2009 at 11:01 amWish we’d had town names and states as bonus words.
Sven says
July 3, 2009 at 4:10 amWaterloo: 8,500 sydneysiders on what used to be one farm.
Sue says
July 7, 2009 at 7:50 pmBurma Shave signs, and church bells ring on the hour.