The Bancrofts

Willis Bancroft Sr. His first car, near Bayonne, NJ. Front seat is Natalie as a baby, Willis at the wheel Katharine Bancroft Schuler next to him. In the back seat is Henrietta Bancroft author and teacher with Grandma Bancroft.

Katharine Bancroft Schuler

Willis Bancroft Jr. built this house from things stored in his construction junkyard after he lost his house during the depression. the address is 3211 Hazel St. Erie, Pa. One of the doors is an old car door. The second story is an old dance floor from a steamboat and there is a porthole for a window. Also, there is a whetstone built into the wall to sharpen knives. It is a custom home in every way and every brick and stone was paid for.

The porthole window

One window was made out of an old car door. you could roll down the window from the window seat inside.

Walls made of found objects have charm.

Willis Bancroft, Jr. built this elegant house with a slate roof in Erie. He lost it to the bank during the depression. It faces Lake Erie. Nat and Burt spent their honeymoon here in 1938.

Willis Bancroft, Jr. was a building contractor who worked in Florida. The land was owned by him before it was developed, so the story goes.

The Bancroft Family's Sanibel Island Camp after a twister. Natalie was sitting on the bed when it occurred. c. 1920. The family went to Florida to stay with Willis Bancroft, Jr. Natalie talked about this paradise all of her life. They swam all day and ate fruit right off of the trees.

Chelsea apartment now rents for $3500

Empire State Building

CaissasClock.blogspot.com

Top photo is the corner store where I went to buy a New York Times in the mornings when I stayed with Aunt Jane. By the second day the store owner knew me. The building across the street is the Episcopal Seminary.
Living room window at Aunt Jane's modest apartment at 433 West 21st Street. She paid $250 per month. It costs $3500 now. She taught nature study at the liberal progressive Waldon school and wrote two children's books that are still published.
Money can't buy a New York City experience like that.