Bill Redden sent the pictures on this page. Here's what he said about them:

    Hi Dan,

    I want to share the attached pictures of the Bancroft Park area taken circa. 1900.  The Bancroft Park Draper development
    took place roughly between 1895-1905.  Whilst working in the Master Mechanics office during the 1960’s, I rescued these
    pictures from going to the trash.  They are B&W 11x 14 photos mounted on heavy cardboard.

    In order to preserve them and share them, I asked Morin Studios to shoot them and convert them to digital media.  I just
    received the project from Morin.

    You probably know that in addition to sewerage plumbing, the early duplexes were plumbed with gas piping to be used for
    home lighting. However, this method for lighting  was abandoned when electricity and knob & tubing wiring became
    available.

    I have used the current house numbering as file names for the pictures.

    If one looks closely, you can see the hitching posts on the sidewalks to tie the horses as well as horse “droppings” in the
    gravel streets..  Also, it is clear that only the inner circle of the Park was completed at the time the pictures were taken.  Note
    also that the appearance of the house lawns and gardens is immaculate which was a requirement of the Company during
    the employee rental period to continue as a tenant.  Any slackers would be reprimanded.

    I hope you find the pictures interesting and enjoyable.  Also, Morin Studios did a wonderful job with the reproduction and
    enhancement of the pictures.

    Bill

                   Bancroft Park memories of
Charles Merrill and Dot Stanas                             Now and Then - Bancroft Park   

                                                              
The Draper Duplexes                                           HOME   

    All deliveries and collections (some with large trucks) i.e. coal, ice, food, dairy, milk,
    trash collection, etc . took place in back of each house using the common (back)
    roadway with one entrance/exit near duplex #1 and the other near duplex #25.  One
    can see the rows of metal trash barrels in the picture.  This arrangement contributed
    to keeping the front of each home in pristine condition. Bill Redden.