Welcome to the Lollis Home--A Complete Tour (1937-1941)

Edward and Georgia May Lollis moved into 5919 Julian Avenue in 1937.  The American Four Square dwelling had been most associated with the Enyart family who moved into it in 1913.  The house was likely built around 1910.  Mr. and Mrs. Lollis purchased the house from Ora and Grace Enyart.  Typical of American Four Squares, the foyer, living room, dining room, and kitchen were on the first floor while all of the bedrooms and the bathroom were on the second floor.  These homes usually had large attic spaces which could be converted into bedrooms.  Four Squares also usually had large front porches and small back porches. The homes were generally painted in earthy colors popular during Arts and Crafts era although Mr. and Mrs. Lollis had the home painted white and they also added shutters to the second floor windows facing Julian Avenue.

Edward and Georgia May Lollis had acquired some beautiful furniture which they placed in their large four-bedroom home on Julian Avenue.  In 1938, Georgia May's family, the Campbells, shipped a dining room set complete with a table, chairs, and buffet from St. Louis to Irvington. If one were to drop by the Lollis home unannounced, they would have seen a typewriter on the dining room table as Mrs. Lollis frequently wrote essays and papers while seated at the beautiful table. If she knew guests were coming she removed the typewriter from the table. Mrs. Lollis took photos of the interior of the home after they first moved in and again on May 11, 1941, just as they were about to move out.

5919 Julian Avenue in 1937

5919 Julian Avenue on October 29, 1939

With light streaming in, you can see the beautiful furniture in the living room of the Lollis home at 5919 Julian Avenue in 1938. Note the secretary and the spindled chair. A lovely tapestry hung on the wall. A card table appears to be leaning on the wall below it. Mrs. Lollis placed flowers in a glass vase on smaller oval table.

In another view of the living room of the Lollis home at 5919 Julian Avenue in 1938, you can see an inviting chair and nearby a magazine stand that held both Time and Life magazines. Sliding doors separated the living and dining rooms. Notice the original light feature still hanging in the living room.  

His and her overstuffed chairs sat in front of the large windows in the living room in the home of the Lollis family at 5919 Julian Avenue.  (May 11, 1941)

By 1941, Mr. and Mrs. Lollis had moved the large secretary to another wall within their living room at 5919 Julian Avenue. Beyond you can see a chair and table in the foyer.  

In the corner of living room at 5919 Julian Avenue, the Lollis family added a bookshelf that came from her family, the Campbells.  Atop the piece, you can see both a photo of their beloved son, Ted, and a clock.  (May 11, 1941)

The dining room of the Lollis home at 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941.

The dining room of the Lollis home at 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941: Note the original light fixture still hanging from the ceiling. 

Ted Lollis opened a drawer in the built-in cabinet in the kitchen at 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941. Mrs. Lollis documented photos of the house so that he would know about his first childhood home.  Her Royal Doulton China collection can be seen just behind the glass.  

Ted Lollis sat at the kitchen table at his home at 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941. Although it may not have been her intention, Mrs. Lollis created an impressionistic image with this photograph with lovely light streaming in on the table and on her freshly cut peonies.  

Mrs. Lollis took a photo of the bedroom belonging to Ted Lollis on May 11, 1941.   

The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis.