Lane turns Going Steady into Marriage

Submitted by MyFunCloset March 14th, 2010

Most any girl graduating high school in the 1960s received a cedar wood mini hope chest box from Lane. Back then, the local furniture store was selling a full size cedar chest to the girl’s family, hoping she will get married and live happily ever after. It may have worked in the 50’s, but not by the mid 60s. Shortly after, Lane discontinued this practice. I find these collectible Lane boxes every once in awhile. Every box has a city imprinted on it. I bought this one because I lived in Monroe Michigan in the mid 50’s as a child. Imagine a funiture company today going after 17/18 year old girls, getting them prepared for marriage? It takes more than a “hope” chest.

7 Responses to “Lane turns Going Steady into Marriage”

  1. Allee Willis

    I never received one on of these although I never had any intent of getting married I never even heard of this so now I really feel left out. I got a big old steamer trunk to go off to college with.

    How long did you live in Munroe, Michigan? Did you ever come into Detroit? Probably more Toledo.

  2. MyFunCloset

    I guess this was before you started collecting. Who knew people would ever buy them on ebay. Actually the family spent lots of time in Detroit. Many relatives around 7mile Rd area. We lived in Monroe about ’55 to ’57 when I was 8-10. Been there?

    • Allee Willis

      I never made it to Munroe. However, I lived just a couple blocks east of 7 Mile. Do you know what streets your relatives lived on? Was it in Northwest Detroit? And if those relatives included cousins do you know what high school they went to?

  3. MyFunCloset

    Going back deep into my memory were 2 brothers Ed, our age and Fred 2 or 3 yrs. older. Not sure of school. Last name, Schneider? or that was another cousin. I was only 9 or 10 & too young for last names. My sister may know, I’ll check with her.

  4. MyFunCloset

    Ok Allee, try this. I just mentioned your Dad owned a scrap yard business. Well, Jack, “Babe” Schneider also was in the steel scrap business, selling to auto industry I think. He was our parents age. They lived in an older tudor style home, on a nice tree lined street. Ed and Fred were his nephews. I was too young to know any more details.