Brooks House of Christian Services -- First founded as the Hestenes Hall in 1919. The above photographs show the organizations second home built in 1926, it was designed by noted Hammond architect Addison Berry. This large three story structure was located at 1047 Conkey Street, in the Maywood Park section, of the city's east side. The building was abandoned in the mid 1980's and later demolished in the late 1980's. Brooks House got it's name from Dr. Charles Brooks, who was the secretary of the Home Mission Society.
Brooks House was the social center for the city's impoverished working class citizens during the 1920's and 1930's, helping those who were suffering from hard times. The pictures above show --- Top Photo is a 1927 view of Brooks House building itself --- Bottom Photos --- Left: a view of the Hammond Public Library, which which had a branch located there, photo dated October 1932. Right: A gathering in the gymnasium/auditorium also taken around October 1932.
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Above photos from the archives of the Hammond Historical Society -- Calumet Room of the Hammond Public Library.
Source information from the Hammond Historical Society.
Twentieth Century Time Capsule © 1999 HammondIndiana.com
