Growing Up Along Downey Avenue

Anton and Ruth Fulton Sohn, who resided at 378 South Downey Avenue, had four children named  Annalouise, Anton Paul, William (Bill) Peter, and Robert Fulton Sohn. The family's modest bungalow became a gathering site for many of the neighboring children; however, the entire area served as their playground in the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s.

Kelly's Fish Pond c1940: Located behind 364 South Ritter Avenue, remnants of the fish pond still remain in 2019. Pictured in the photo (left to right): Bill Sohn, Joan Williams, Rita ?, Anton Sohn, Annalouise Sohn (photo courtesy of Bill Sohn)

Bill Sohn drove his first "car" in 1941 next to his home at 378 South Downey Avenue. He would later save up enough  money while working at the local Standard Grocery at the southwest corner of Washington and Audubon to buy his first real car while still in high school. Standing next to him donning a great hat is Anton Sohn.  (Photo courtesy Bill Sohn)

Children gathered in the back lot of 378 South Downey Avenue for this photo likely taken in 1939. Pictured (top row, left to right): Lyle Hanna, Dick Wickliff, unidentified adult, Ralph Williams, Leo Scheibelhut; (Front Fow, left to right): Joan Williams, Annalouise Sohn, Anton Sohn, Bill Sohn  (photo courtesy Bill Sohn)

Perfect for climbing, hanging down, or gymnastics, Anton and Ruth Fulton placed this playground piece into their backyard at 378 South Downey Avenue around 1940. If you look at the photo closely, you will see numerous kids on it! (photo courtesy of Bill Sohn)

As the children grew older, they were allowed to wander farther from their home. The Sohn brothers, Anton and Bill, loved to visit two nearby "woods." The first plot of nature was actually across the street from their home on the north west corner of Ritter and Downey Avenues. The forested lot belonged to the Stultz family at the time who lived next to the woods at 340 South Ritter Avenue. The second natural area stood east of Ritter Avenue, south of Burgess Avenue, and north of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Later this area would be developed into a small subdivision. The wooded plots served as the perfect place to explore nature. Both boys later joined the Boy Scouts.

Annalouise, Anton, and Bill Sohn posed for this photograph in 1941. Behind them, you can see the small woods that used to be across from their home at 378 South Downey Avenue. Next to the trees, you can see the side of the bungalow at 373 South Downey Avenue. 

Although forbidden, the grounds of the former Butler University also proved to be an enticing to visit. By the late 1930s, the campus had been abandoned and some of the empty structures proved to be perfect places to explore and have egg fights with other neighborhood boys. Dr. Anton Sohn described the abandoned college in his family memoir titled, The Straight and Narrow (1992):

     In the 40s the campus was in ruins: there were two buildings, twenty-five acres of hills and rouble, and a caved-in well. In one of the three story classroom buildings was a small apartment--the rest of the structure was in shambles--where a caretaker and his family lived. They shared the building with hundreds of pigeons. 

 The nearby Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and many of the local businesses associated with that line also proved intriguing for the neighborhood kids. During World War II, the children would run to the tracks to wave to troops who were passing through Irvington on their way to or from the war. A nearby apple orchard along Burgess Avenue also provided some delicious and healthy snacks.

In 1950, Mr. Sohn allowed the construction of a new basketball court towards the rear of their lot. The entire endeavor seemed to be a community event as even a nearby neighbor, George Harris, who resided at 364 South Downey Avenue and worked for the telephone company, provided the goal post. The court became so popular among the neighboring boys that occasionally the Sohns had to wait in line to get court time. Later, Bill wired up a light so that they could also play at night. Both the concrete pad and the telephone post still remain in 2019.

The Sohn brothers along with their cousin William Fulton were very active with the local Boy Scouts. (photo and names courtesy of Anton Sohn) 

Anton and Bill Sohn had a few basketball courts on their property at 378 South Downey Avenue. The early courts were gravel and could be painful for those who took a fall. Later, the family built a proper court towards the rear of the property. (photo courtesy of Anton Sohn)

In 1950, the Sohns added a brand new concrete basketball court. Anton worked as an intern for  the Glenroy Construction Company while he was in high school so the company provided the labor and Ready Mix Concrete donated the concrete for the pad. Behind the court, you can see the rear of several homes in the 300 block of South Ritter Avenue.

Their neighbors, the Wickliffs, Kirkhoffs, the Harrises, and the Masters and others are all gone now, but their memories recently came back to life as Bill Sohn and I strolled along Downey Avenue on a beautiful June morning in 2019. We stood in front of the former Sohn home and Bill told me of the giant willow, walnut, oak, silver maple, and catalpa trees that used to be on the lot. A medical facility now stands across the street where the small grove of trees used to be. The alley next to their home is still gravel just as it was over seventy years ago. We chuckled as we spoke of one former neighbor who had no patience for children as she constantly shooed them away from her yard. On this morning, Downey Avenue was quiet with the only noticeable sounds coming from the cardinals and robins who, like us, were out enjoying the morning.

Bill Sohn plays with his pet bunny in the spring of 1941. Unfortunately, the rabbit bit Mr. Sohn and later became dinner for the family.  (photo courtesy of Bill Sohn) 

I am indebted to Bill and Anton Sohn, who opened both their photo collections and memories to me.