2428 LOCUST STREET is a little green house in Terre Haute, Indiana - that to my knowledge, was built in 1928.
Many Overton's lived there at many given moments in time but I will always remember it, from my childhood in the 1980's, as my Great Grandma Violet Overton's house!
From 1980 to 1992, I spent many weekends here, with my Grandma Violet. I loved her dearly and we were pretty close.
I can still here Happy, her black poodle, barking when we'd knock on the metal screen door with the slanted "O".
I can still taste and smell her famous white bread cheese burgers, she used to make me!
I can still see the cookie jar, that was always full, on the kitchen table. The red wall tiles in the kitchen, the checkered floor and apple clock!
When I hear the sound of cicadas in the late summer, watch any episode of Little House On The Prairie or have those icy popsicles in the long clear plastic wrapper (like flavored ice)... it brings me right back to this green house!
As my great grandmother aged, she began to have trouble living alone and in 1992, she moved to southern Indiana to be close to her son, my grandfather, Robert Overton.
She actually ended up having her own small apartment later on but she passed away in 2004.
I believe she had lived at 2428 for 40+ years.
Her son, my Grandpa Bob, also passed away not too long ago.
It is the house where her husband, my great grandfather, Dave Overton passed away, as well as his mother.
Before I was born, 2428 had it's share of drama but when I would spend time there as a kid, in the 1980's... it was such a peaceful place to me!
I'd spend many o hour, in my little "back bedroom", making music tapes, eating kool-aid and sugar... just chillin'!
And when I wasn't back there, I'd be in the living room or kitchen with my Grandma Violet... her telling me stories about my great grandpa or us "just talking" - it was always so easy to talk to her.
I haven't been to - or in the house since 1992, on the last day she lived there, but we recently found out that it was sold and going to be torn down before the end of 2016
(which is for the best for many reasons)
So, on October 20th, we went to see it one last time.
It is in a severe dilapidated state! Truly heartbreaking it was, to see the condition this little house was in, that had held so many precious memories of Grandma and my childhood!
But, that's just how it goes in life. People and buildings get worn down and leave us.
I've said my goodbye to 2428 and I let the pain go but even though the house will no longer be there after about 90 years of existence, the memories always will be!
I have created a Facebook page, dedicated to this house and a photo album of 165-ish photographs.
Links to all of that are right after this narrative and at the very bottom of this website.
Feel free to download any photos from any of these pages and share photos or memories, if you'd like, on the 2428 Facebook page!
Farewell, my old green friend!
Love you and we will miss you!
Thanks for everything!
