Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Butler Avenue 1943 and Now

While Fred Azbell was away serving the country during World War II, his father-in-law, T. Newton White, took over the family business located at 1115 North Butler Avenue.  Mr. Azbell ran his auto distribution company out of his garage and home office.  He eventually moved the company to 5019 East Michigan Street.  In this photo, snapped in 1943, little Barbara Azbell sat atop one of the company vehicles.  The home at the far left at 1115 North Butler Avenue belonged to the Azbells. The larger home at 1107 North Butler Avenue housed Ralph and Irene Johns.  Mr. Johns served as a department manager for the Indiana Credit Men's Service Association.  Next door at 1103 North Butler Avenue dwelled Edward and Laura Rees.  Mr. Rees was listed as a salesman in the 1943 Polk's City Directory.  The contemporary photo shows the same view in 2014.

Azbell Distribution Company trucks along the 1100 block of North Butler Avenue in 1943

1100 block of North Butler Avenue in 2014
The historic image is courtesy of Barbara Sanders.  

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