Starting a Family on Bosart Avenue

When Leland Dickerson finally arrived home after honorably serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, he decided that he couldn't wait to get back to see his family in Irvington.  So, he began to hitchhike from Dayton, Ohio still dressed in his navy attire.  Much to his surprise, a limousine pulled over and a passenger dressed up in a suit and time called out, "Where are you going?"  "Indianapolis!" the veteran answered.  "Hop in!  I am going there too."  The passenger turned out to be the CEO of the Perfect Circle Corporation, a company that specialized in piston rings.  The young veteran told the millionaire that he could drop him off at Washington Street and Arlington Avenue and that he could walk the remainder of the way home to 818 North Arlington, but the executive would not hear of it and he ordered his chauffeur to drive eight blocks north.  Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson both happened to be outside when the giant limo pulled up and they reacted with surprise and joy upon seeing their son safely home from the war and in a limousine no less!

With so many veterans returning to Indianapolis, jobs were not easy to find.  Leland, a Butler University graduate, landed employment at East Side Chevrolet near the corner of Washington Street and Ritter Avenue.  It was not a dream job, but he did not mind being around Irvington because his buddies had reintroduced him to Anna Belle York (121 South Berry Avenue).  She lived with her parents and her young son Robert, and worked nearby at the Missions Building (222 Downey Avenue).  The couple began to date and by February of 1947 they were married.  Upon returning from their honeymoon in Washington D.C., a fellow worker at the East Side Chevrolet told Leland that Western Electric was hiring.  Sensing an opportunity, he drove out during his lunch hour for an interview and landed a job.  He would remain for the next thirty-five years eventually attaining the rank of supervisor.

Finding an adequate house after World War II, was nearly impossible for most veterans as there had been very little construction during the war. Many homeowners in Indianapolis divided their large homes and turned them into rentals.  Leland and Anna Belle spent the first months of their marriage in a "shack" in northern Warren Township. They had no indoor toilet.  Both had been raised in Irvington, so this was not a standard either really cared for although Leland reports that they were very happy.  Eventually, the couple found a lovely small home at 861 North Bosart Avenue in Emerson Heights just west of Irvington.  They also welcomed a daughter, Linda. (Jimmy would come later.) With a growing family and income, the Dickersons moved out of the small Bosart Avenue cottage and by the early 1950s they found a larger place along Ridgeview Drive.  Stay tuned as I will chronicle the Ridgeview years in the next installment!

Newlyweds:  Leland and Anna Belle York Dickerson at the York home at 121 South Berry Avenue (February, 1947)

Instant Family:  Leland and Anna Belle Dickerson and young Bobby, who also became a Dickerson standing in front of the York home at 121 South Berry Avenue in February, 1947

The Dickerson home at 861 North Bosart Avenue in 1948

Growing Family:  Anna Belle and Leland Dickerson posed with Linda and Bobby in front of 861 North Bosart Avenue in June of 1949

Birthday Party  (on January 7, 1951) inside 861 North Bosart Avenue.  Pictured: (beginning with the boy sitting closest to the photographer at the far left) Dick Abell, Linda Dickerson, Dennis Holmes, Bobby Dickerson, Sue Deering, Ronnie Holmes, Tommy Abell, and Jerry Abell

The historic images are courtesy of Leland Dickerson. You may see a contemporary image of 861 North Bosart Avenue by clicking on the Google Satellite image below.  You will note that the porch has now been enclosed and that the house is now sheathed in aluminum siding.

A Family Gathering on Berry Avenue--1949

Family was very important to Mary York of 121 South Berry Avenue.  During the holidays, two of her daughters, Maryetta York Abell and Anna Belle York Dickerson, would arrive at the York home to help prepare for big meals days in advance.  The York home became the center of life for several extended family members.  Maryetta just lived a few doors down on Berry Avenue so her three sons spent much time with their grandparents.  Anna Belle lived along Bosart and later on both Ridgeview Drive and Graham Avenue so her children also found time to feast and play in the home.  In this photo, taken on Thanksgiving Day in 1949, Mrs York had set out her finest china and cutlery. T. Edgar York, the patriarch of the family was not in the photo, nor was son-in-law Leland Dickerson as he was likely the photographer.  In the photo, Anna Belle York Dickerson looked upon her daughter Linda in a high chair while her son Robert chatted with his cousins across the table.  Maryetta York Abell sipped on some coffee or tea.  Next to her and in the center of the photo sat her son Jerry Abell.  Etta York (5721 Bonna Avenue), the mother-in-law to Mary York, looked upon two generations of her family.  Next to her, Richard, also known as Dickie, leaned in while his older brother Tommy pensively looked at the photographer. They were both sons of Maryetta and Hanley Abell.  The proud matriarch, Mary York, sat at the far right of the table with her apron on because more courses were likely on the way.  Note the beautiful side cupboard that graced the dining room for decades.  Mrs. York's favorite plates sat atop a rail along all of the dining room walls.

The York family gathers at 121 South Berry Avenue in 1949

This historic image is courtesy of Leland Dickerson. To see 121 South Berry Avenue in 2014 click on the Google link below.  A sizable addition has been placed onto the home since the Yorks lived there.

The Yorks of Berry Avenue

T. Edgar and Mary York dwelled at 121 South Berry Avenue for many years.  Their home was located on one of the shortest streets in Indianapolis.  With only ten houses on the block, the Yorks possessed the largest lot.  Mr. York owned a moving business and the couple previously dwelled at 5721 Bonna Avenue where all five of their children were born.  They always referred to the Bonna home as the big house and the Berry home as the little house.  At both locations, Mr. York sheathed the dwellings with asbestos tile siding, a popular material in the mid-twentieth century because homeowners thought they would never have to paint again.  Both homes predate the York family and had been covered in wood clapboard siding.  One of the attractions of the Berry Avenue property was the sizable plot where Mr. York could park his moving wagons and trucks.  Many east side families employed the Yorks as movers and they remained a fixture of the neighborhood for decades.  Mrs. York helped to raise the couple's five children.  When they moved into their modest Dutch Colonial home on Berry Avenue, Mrs. York suddenly became self conscious about hanging her laundry out to dry because of the number of passenger trains along the Pennsylvania Railroad that passed her home everyday.  She also disliked the coal soot that fell upon her clean sheets.  However, the couple had a large garden and remained in the home until their deaths.

T. Edgar and Mary York in 1960 at 121 South Berry Avenue

T. Edgar York in front of one of his moving trucks c1945

In-laws:  Mary York posed with her daughter Anna Belle and her new sister-in-law, Esther Dickerson along with little Bobby Dickerson in 1948 at 121 South Berry Avenue.  You will note that the original porch columns were still on the house.  

Mary York loved to sit out on her porch. She could watch the freight and passenger trains as they passed by on the Pennsylvania Railroad.  (1960)

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa York on Berry Avenue

J. Edgar and Mary York dwelled at 121 South Berry Avenue near the Pennsylvania Railroad.  The couple had a wide lot which was perfect for playful grandchildren who needed a place to run and have fun.  In these photographs, a very young Robert (Bobby) Dickerson stopped by to build a snowman in January of 1948 and four years later he decided to help Grandpa York with the yard.  Behind Robert, you can see homes in the 100 block of South Arlington Avenue, and the now defunct Pennsylvania Railroad.

Giant Snowman:  Bobby Dickerson stands next to a new friend in January of 1948 at the home of his grandparents, the Yorks,  at 121 South Berry Avenue.  

Flattening the grass:  Bobby Dickerson helps his Grandpa York with the yard in 1952 at 121 South Berry Avenue.  Behind him, you can see the rear of 136 South Arlington Avenue.  

These images are courtesy of Leland Dickerson.

Spring along Good Avenue--1950s

Peonies emerged on a beautiful spring day sometime in the 1950s on the side lot of 211 Good Avenue. On this site in 1890, used to stand the small McVey cottage. It burned in 1913 so the McVeys just expanded the yard so that they had a double lot for their second home next door at 211. By the 1950s, the Geren family lived on the property. In this photo, you can see the early twentieth century garage and the rear of two homes that face Berry Avenue. You can also see the Pennsylvania Railroad if you look closely. I also distinctly see two yard flamingos! This historic image is courtesy of Lori Malander and the Irvington Historical Society.