Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hilary Homer on October 20, 2009 at 6:38pm

We actually have wooden windows, including (get this) the wood-framed storm windows that go with them, through most of our house. They have to be either original to the house, or else were custom-made replacements. I'm going to guess original, because hello, expensive. And guess what? No mullions! So there may have been a big mullions/no mullions divide among the original 19th Ward windows.

Anyway, wtg for finding your newpanes!

ETA: Check out the hair on the newpanes lady in the photo. Is it prosthetic as well?

Permalink Reply by Anthony Fasolo on October 20, 2009 at 9:52pm

OMG I never noticed the hair! I think that must have been taken in 1989! LOL!

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 20, 2009 at 11:13pm

Yes, and notice the nice match between her shirt and pants in the first photo. Anyway, now I know a new word, mullions.

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 20, 2009 at 11:17pm

My house was built about 100 years ago by the Megiddo missionaries, and there are no mullions, but in the living room, the original glass is nice and wavy with original wood frames on the storm windows. I had original wood-framed storms for all the windows, but gradually replaced them, except for the living room, as they are so heavy and changing them became difficult as I got older. They are actually supposed to be the best for energy-efficiency, as they seal things up much better.

The facts about the Megiddo mission are very interesting, as it is still functioning very well on Thurston Rd. just north of the Post Office. The people were missionaries travelling up the canal from Pennsylvania, preaching along the way, and they decided to settle here. They owned the entire city block from Thurston to GPB. They built the houses on Sawyer and Enterprise.

Permalink Reply by Anthony Fasolo on October 20, 2009 at 11:23pm

We still have original wooden windows mostly on the first floor and they too have no mullions. I thought it was interesting in an old photo of our house that the attic windows did have them, but they were no were else but in the 4 decorative windows on the sides of the house. Sadly there isn't much to be done with the front windows without either having mullions built for them (expensive) or replacing them outright with vinyl which I am not to fond of doing as I like the wood better. Hmmmmmm what to do....

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 20, 2009 at 11:38pm

Only the small windows on the side of my house have mullions. The houses around here apparently only used them for decorative windows. I would do nothing. Better to let in the light anyway!

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 20, 2009 at 11:30pm

A continuation, since you only have a limited number of words ... On the Megiddos, each person way back when built two houses, one for them and one to sell for someone else to live in. Today most of the homes on West Sawyer St. have been sold. They have retained a huge amount of land they farm to the west of Thurston homes. An idyllic community. They also own businesses across the street, and maintain a church there. The property is always immaculate. You may see the women walking around on Thurston with long dresses and bonnets, and the men dressed in suits. The interesting question is how they get new members, or have continued this long, as they do not have children from what I understand. If anyone knows more about this than me, please share.

Permalink Reply by Hilary Homer on October 21, 2009 at 8:47am

Mark, my family lived on Inglewood until I was about six and my father told me a bit of what he knows about the Megiddos. My father said he does wonder that the they are still around, as they are celibate. Celibacy is usually a tough selling point for new recruits, and obviously there aren't any children being born to any of the Megiddos. Historically, religious communities that mandate chastity for all their members haven't had much luck sustaining themselves. My father said most of the Megiddos seemed to be on the older side when I was just a baby, and he had wondered then what would happen to them. They must have a fairly effective way of getting new members, though, considering their lengthy history and substantial enterprises in the neighborhood. Dad says that the farm there is a considerable agricultural undertaking. The zoning variance records alone must be fascinating.

I would absolutely love to visit the farm or meet some of the people there. I suspect that the group is fairly insular and happy not having much to do with the larger neighborhood beyond its business ventures, and I certainly can respect that, but their community is a truly unique 19th Ward story that's worth knowing.

Permalink Reply by Anthony Fasolo on October 21, 2009 at 12:52pm

I've walked by there often and was always curious as to what exactly it was. I have never seen anyone but thought how well kept up the grounds were in contrast to it's surroundings.