The blessed summer vacation — a favorite pastime of Americans today — wasn't such a staple during the 1800s. Like working families today, new immigrant families needed a safe and affordable place for children to stay while parents worked. In large cities, children of parents who worked in factories, shops or mills learned English and other subjects during an 11-month school year. A true vacation, including staying at a nice hotel or even owning a car to get you there, was something attained only by the wealthy.