When Gilbert and Viola purchased the Cherry Street farm in 1942, the house that came with it was only partially modernized. It had Creston city water, but only a single cold water tap in the kitchen. There was no hot water, no bathroom.

It had electricity, but the wiring ran on the surface, with a single bulb hanging in the center of each room. Viola, by herself, learned how to do electrical wiring and moved all of the wiring into the walls, adding sockets as necessary. The house never burned down, so she must have done alright.

Gilbert and Viola had planned to build a new house on the property within 10 years, but instead moved into Creston to the West Jefferson home. The Cherry Street house was used for a hired hand from that time forward.

In the photo, which was taken shortly after purchase of the farm, Leatrice and Deane are in the lawn chairs.