The Peratt and Houchen Families
This little blank album has got to be one of the sweetest items that remains from Harold’s items. The first several pages are dedicated to some lines of scripture, poetry or wisdom from each of his family members. The poems are extremely cute and catchy as one, in particular, I have found myself often repeating…Read more
This is the only remaining page from a letter from Austin’s sister. She writes about Maxine’s wedding so this must have been some time in the last half of 1938, nearer to Christmas.
This was a partial letter with no date or signature. Currently, it is out of context and just stands alone as a cute poem on a cake. I will try to find more parts of it and put more context to it. Right now, based upon where it was found with the other letters, this…Read more
Austin and Lula’s niece, Maxine Pieratt, writes to them, a few short weeks before her wedding. It is interesting to read “everyday” things that were occurring while big news items, like WWII, were happening or were on the brink of beginning.
Below are just some of the many awards that Hoyt Houchen received during his time on the forensics speech team. He won many medals while at Chaffey High School in Ontario, California and went on to be recognized as he continued his education at George Pepperdine College, now Pepperdine University. Heirloom Disclaimer – I have…Read more
The optometrist office where this case came from is located at 282 N. 2nd Street in Upland, California. These are bifocals but I do not know if they were Laura’s or Lula’s. Heirloom Disclaimer – I have done my best to identify either the owner or purpose of an artifact based upon either direct knowledge,…Read more
Here is a beautiful gold pocket watch which dates to around 1910. Harold would have been 15 years and so this might have belonged to his father, Norris, prior to coming into his possession. Heirloom Disclaimer – I have done my best to identify either the owner or purpose of an artifact based upon either…Read more
I can’t be sure but I believe that the items pictured below are the contents of Norris Long Houchens’ pockets at the time of his death. These could also just be random items of his but I came to this conclusion based upon the fact that they were all contained together and the date of…Read more
This was within Harold and Laura’s items and tools. It could simply be a mirror that they liked and used or it could have belonged to one of their parents and held onto as a keepsake. There are no markings or indications of how old it could be. Heirloom Disclaimer – I have done my…Read more
This knife was in the same box as the previous knife but it came through Norris’ wife, Maggie’s, family, belonging to her mother, Anne Augusta “Gusta” (Hill) Beaty. The short-lived Barnsley Brothers company from Monett, Missouri was in existence from 1898-1906 and they made gorgeous knives which have held their value. This pocket knife pattern…Read more