Scenes Along North Butler Avenue in the 1940s

The 1100 block of North Butler Avenue was at the far edge of the city in 1943. In fact, the people who canvased the area for the Polk's City Directory did not go north of East 12th Street as it was considered suburban.  Most of the homes north of 10th Street along the avenue were built in the 1920s. The following historic images were all taken between 1943 through 1945. The photos show several of the houses along the block and the rooflines of those in the distance.  Contemporary photos show the area in 2014.

Azbell Auto Distribution Trucks 1943:  Behind the vehicles, you can see the brick American Four Square at 1102 North Butler Avenue and the bungalow next door at 1110 North Butler Avenue. The Von Burgs and Keplers dwelled here in the mid-1940s.  

Family Portrait:  Fred Azbell posed with his daughter, Barbara, and the family dog in 1943. Behind them, you can see 1110 North Butler Avenue.

Family Shot:  Fred Azbell held onto both his daughter, Barbara, and the family dog in 1943.  Behind the family you can see 1110 North Butler Avenue and the smaller bungalow at 1114 North Butler Avenue.  Eleanor Hodde dwelled in the smaller house in 1943.  She was a bookkeeper for the Wm. Lynn Chemical Company.  

Cute Girl:  Barbara Azbell posed atop the bumper of the family vehicle in 1944. Behind her  you can see both 1102 and 1110 North Butler Avenue.  

Barbara Azbell posed in 1944 atop the family car.  Behind her you can see the residence Harry and Dorothy Von Burg at 1102 North Butler Avenue.  Mr. Von Burg was in management for a local insurance company. Note that the house used to have a balustrade railing on the porch roof.  

Good Neighbor:  Delores Surrey greeted Barbara Azbell in 1945.  Mrs. Surrey dwelled at 1107 North Butler Avenue. You can see the rear of her home as well as that of 1103 North Butler Avenue.  

1102 and 1110 North Butler Avenue in 2014

1102 and 1110 North Butler Avenue in 2014

The historic images are courtesy of Barbara Sanders.