Monday, April 16, 2012

Morrill’s Corner in the 1940 Census


My grandfather (S. Ross Bustin) was fond of saying that he could stand in the middle of Morrill’s Corner in Portland, Maine, and see every place he ever lived.

When the 1940 census was taken he was 31, living at 1158 Forest Avenue, working as a truck driver for a food manufacturer (undoubtedly Cushman’s Bakery), right in the Corner, with my grandmother and my mother, age 8 (my grandmother, Harriet, and my mother (Marilyn Louise Bustin) are on the following page).




The apartment building now has a store front attached and is barely recognizable as a residence.





My great grandparents, Fred and Melvina Bustin, also lived at Morrill’s Corner in 1940, with their youngest son Marvin, at 827 Stevens Avenue. They appear on the same page of the Census, with my great grandfather working as a laborer for the steam railroad (He worked for the Maine Central Railroad for over 50 years).



In this fantastic picture, I believe that is my mother standing on the front porch,
 probably about 8 years old.


image

2 comments:

  1. I think it's wonderful that your grandfather could see every place he ever lived while standing in one spot. Not many people can say that!

    The last photo is a gem. I love the old car in front of the house.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like your grandfather's saying. It was a genius way to start this post.

    ReplyDelete