This is a photograph of Bertha Kramer and Grace Vanderkloot on the beach in their bathing suits and caps. Bertha is on the left, and Grace has her legs bent up in the air. Grace was born on August 7, 1894, and Bertha was born on July 16, 1896. Bertha’s father, William Kramer, worked at the Vanderkloot Iron Works, as did Grace’s father. Both families lived near each other, and Bertha and Grace became lifelong friends. The view of the sand and small dune in the photo appears more like the Indiana Dunes than Chicago beaches. Perhaps Bertha’s or Grace’s parents took them there for a day or a week via train. Years later, Bertha Kramer married Frank Moran in April 1918. There are other photos of them together in future years.

Bertha and Grace appear to be young teenagers. Bertha could be about 14 and Grace about 16, suggesting a photo date of the summer of 1910, though the summer of 1909 is possible. They both have the look of young teenage girls everywhere: fashionable, close proximity, whispered discussions, probably about boys, and happy to have their picture taken. It is a special photo with a certain amount of spontaneity, which is unusual for photos of the time.

Grace's face appears about the same as in “Grace Vanderkloot in the Corn Stalks (circa 1910)” and “Grace Vanderkloot in the Corn Stalks (circa 1910)”, suggesting all three photos were taken the same summer.

This photograph was in Grace Vanderkloot Filipek's Photo Collection. Dave Jordan is now the keeper of this collection. If you would like to add information about this photo, please contact Dave Jordan, a grandson of James and Grace Filipek. The Picture Reference Number is DJB56a and DJB56b.