Sunday, January 9, 2011

152 Downey Avenue--Then and Now



This interesting home at 152 Downey Avenue has had a variety of owners and renters over the years. The 1900 census lists 53-year-old Samuel H. Richey, a manufacturer, and his wife Louisa Richey, aged 45 as living in the house. Their three children, Verna , 19; Hunter, 18 (a stenographer), and Katherine, 10 also lived in the large home. By 1910, Bloomfield Moore, Sr, 38, a bridge draftsman and his wife Lillian B. Fuqua Moore dwelled here. Others listed in the census that year included Bloomfield Moore, Jr, aged two; Mrs. Sarah Fuqua, 63, Lillian's widowed mother, and Cora Nellie Fuqua 37, Lillian's single schoolmarm sister.

Due to its proximity to Butler University, it served as a sorority house for Delta Gamma by 1928. After World War II, the large home was carved up into apartments and remains in that state in 2011. The photos on this page depict the beautiful home in 1928, and the home in its present condition in 2011. Perhaps in the future, the house will be restored to its former grandeur.

3 comments:

  1. Hi I currently live in this home. We are wondering if you have ran across any pictures of the inside of the house before it was converted to apartments?

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  2. Hi I currently live in this home. We are wondering if you have ran across any pictures of the inside of the house before it was converted to apartments?

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  3. Hi Jake, I have not come across any interior shots yet, but you might call the Butler archives and see if they have any since it was a sorority house!

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