I grew up on a corner lot across the side street from the Cady Marsh Ditch, a polluted creek that was still a fabulous place to cut trails and build forts.
See At Home in Indiana for places on one map.
My Childhood Home. 8946 Prairie Ave, Highland, Indiana. 41.5505144, -87.4762398
I had my own room with a west facing window large enough to crawl in and out of while stepping on the conveniently located hose bib. Two more high windows faced north. I would crack them open on winter nights to feel the cold air and sometimes snow blow in over my bed.
Highland High School a walkable distance from home traveling parallel to the ditch.
Nike Missile Base that we would visit during their open house once a year. I often woke to nightmares of mushroom clouds on the horizon.
Mention photographing the Tony Lema crash site for the Lansing Times. wikipedia 
After high school, I went to Purdue University, first as a student and later as an employee of the computing center. See At Home in Owen Hall