Mary Carol   Chicago, IL -- 2002-09-10

The two buildings on South Tenth Street, the old Sir Francis Drake Hotel and Adams Apartments, appear just as I remember them, so this photo brings back heartfelt memories. I lived at the Adams in the 1960s when it had maid service (I recall their names were Elsie, a German-speaking lady, and Harriet) and completely furnished apartments for working people and some retirees who lived there, also. Mr. and Mrs. Jones who were the managers of the Adams lived in back of the office on the first floor across from the lobby where there was a lounge and television. There was a restaurant called the Popular Cafe next to the Sir Francis Drake, family run by a Dutch chef who cooked wonderful home-cooked meals, where his daughters worked as waitresses. Of course, the Curtis and Leamington Hotels were up the street; and on Ninth Street, the Hampshire Arms Hotel and Zier Flats, beautiful old red brick buildings, completely furnished, where one could rent by the week or month. It was an interesting, safe, livable, and lively neighborhood and a quality era for people who lived downtown.
This is a good photo of the old (first in foreground) and the new (later in background).