Scenes Along East Washington Street--Part II

     John W. and Janice Kern resided in the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later numbered as 5128) from 1942 until 1948. Family snapshots show several East Washington Street scenes. Most of the shots were taken in 1947. The couple later moved north of Irvington to 3550 North Riley Avenue where they remained for decades. 

5136-38, 5140 (Muriel Apartments), 5148-50, and 5206-08 East Washington Street

     In the center of the photographs below, you will see the Muriel Apartments. First constructed in 1928, the two-story brick structure was at capacity in 1947. There was still a housing shortage in the US leftover from the Great Depression and World War II so the landlord of the Muriel or of the nearby duplexes had no trouble finding renters. 

Janice Wayman Kern (on the right) posed with an unidentified woman c1947 along East Washington Street. Behind the ladies, you can see the duplex at 5136-38 East Washington Street; the Muriel Apartments at 5140 East Washington; and the second story of the double located at 5148-50 East Washington Street. 

An unidentified woman posed with her 1941 Ford Super Deluxe c1947. Behind her you can see the properties located at 5136-38, 5140, 5148-50, and 5206-08 East Washington Street. 

5117 East Washington Street

     The beautiful American Four Square at 5117 East Washington Street first appeared in Irvington in 1918. A writer for the Indianapolis Star noted that Charles Edgar Bates designed the residence for John Larrison. Mr. Bates used "variegated" red brick on the outside and red tile for the roof. Inside, he designed a brick fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases. He added exposed wooden beams into the dining room ceiling for a "Flemish effect." Family members walked up and down an ornamental staircase. 

     By 1947, Francis and Anna Wilhelm resided at 5117 East Washington Street. Mr. Wilhelm, a builder, had already made a name for himself in the state of Indiana. He would later go on to build many iconic structures like the Expo Center in Indianapolis, the Music and Arts Center at Indiana University, the Chemistry building at Purdue University, and dozens of  Catholic schools. His firm was only nine years old when Mrs. Wayman posed for the photograph below. 

Floy Barnard Wayman, the manager of the Victoria Apartments on East Washington Street, stood along the sidewalk c1947. Behind her, you can see the residence at 5117 East Washington Street. The Wilhelms lived in the house at the time. 

5117 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

5129 East Washington Street: Texaco Service Station

     George B. Keller operated the Texaco Service Station on the southeast corner of East Washington Street and Spencer Avenues. He also owned another nearby gas station at Arlington Avenue and Washington Street. The business made the headlines in 1943 when burglars broke into the building at night and stole gas ration coupons, cash, and a cigarette vending machine.  Mr. Keller owned this particular station until 1972. 

Janice Wayman Kern stood in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments in 1947. Behind her, you can see the former Texaco Service Station at 5129 East Washington Street and the west side of the LaMae Apartments at 5143 Street. 

Three unidentified people stood on the sidewalk leading to the Victoria Apartments. Behind the group, you can see the service station located at 5129 East Washington Street. That building was later torn down for a restaurant. 

5129 and 5143 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

5143 East Washington Street: The LaMae Apartments

     The LaMae Apartments (now called Irvington Villas) located at 5143 East Washington Street opened in the fall of 1927. Builder and designer, John H. Larrison, held an open house on November 27, 1927, so that potential renters could tour the eight units. Twenty one years later, the building still looked much the same as it did in the roaring 20s. The LaMae appeared in several Wayman-Kern family photos from the late 1940s. 

Little James ("Jimmy") R. Kern rode his tricycle along East Washington Street in 1947. Behind him you can see the LaMae Apartments at 5143 East Washington. 

An unidentified girl held James R. Kern's hand on October 4, 1947. Behind the kids you can see the LaMae Apartments at 5143 East Washington Street. 

Janice, John, and James Kern sat on a bench at the Victoria Apartments while an unidentified young girl stood nearby on October 4, 1947. If you look closely, you can also see the duplexes located at 5201-03 and 5205-07 East Washington Street. 

Sources:  5117 E. Washington St.--"New Residence on the East Side Is a Model For Attractiveness," Indianapolis Star, February 2, 1919, p.32; Wilhelm family--"Francis Wilhelm of Building Firm Dies," Indianapolis News, December 6, 1976. p. 17; Texaco Gas Station--"George B. Keller" (obituary), Indianapolis News, April 18, 1989, p. 34; "Filling Station Robbed," Indianapolis Star, November 29, 1943, p. 18; LaMae Apartments--"Apartments Shown Today," Indianapolis Star, November 27, 1927, p. 35.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page.