Thick Canopy of Trees Along University Avenue--1942

By the mid-twentieth century, trees planted in the late 1800s and early 1900s towered over the meandering pathways of Irvington.  Children who grew up in the neighborhood in the 1920s through the 1960s spoke of streets in deep shade.  In this photo, taken in 1942, Shirley Custer (5515 University Avenue) played with a neighboring dog who dwelled with the Moffat family at 5511 University.  With the sun radiating off her golden hair, she and the pooch seem to be the only subjects in sunlight.  Notice the allée of trees behind her.  Most of the houses are not easily seen this photo, but you can see the front porches of 5511 and 5515 University Avenue.  The facade of 5527 University Avenue, an American Four Square, is also visible.  I have included a photo of that home in 2013. The historic image is courtesy of Custer family.

Shirley Custer in the front yard of 5511 University Avenue in 1942

5527 University Avenue in 2013

Children Play Along University Avenue--1940

In these wonderful shots, taken in 1940, a very young Shirley Custer (5515 University Avenue) played with her friends. In the top photo, she posed with her beloved dog, Taffy. Behind her you can see a bricked University Avenue and part of 5514-16 University Avenue. In the middle photo, Shirley Custer and her friend Beverly Stevenson rode a new bike. Behind the girls, you can see nearly all of the very large Arts and Crafts double at 5514-16 University Avenue. In the bottom photo, likely taken in 1939, Shirley Custer posed with her friends and neighbors, Betty Carol and Beverly Stevenson. The photographer is facing west towards the intersection of University and Ritter Avenues. These historic images are courtesy of the Custer family.

Shirley Custer (5515 University Avenue) posed with her dog Taffy in 1940

Shirley Custer and Beverly Stevenson played along the 5500 block of University Avenue in 1940

Shirley Custer, Betty Carol, and Beverly Stevenson posed for this photo in the yard of 5515 University Avenue in 1939.

5514-16 University Avenue in the summer of 2012

The Custers of University Avenue

Walter and Katherine Custer and their children lived at 5515 University Avenue in the late 1930s and early 1940s.  Their modest bungalow was first built in 1912 and had served as a rental for many Irvington families.  It would not be until the second half of the twentieth century that the dwelling would become owner occupied. The Custers leased the house while Mr. Custer worked as a salesman for the National Biscuit Company.  Their three children, Lyle, Don, and Shirley, spent their formative years in the neighborhood riding their bikes, playing with friends, and attending nearby School 57.

In these candid photos, taken on Easter Day in 1942, the Custer children posed in the backyard in their Sunday finest.  Of course, no picture was complete without their beloved dog Taffy.  She appeared in many other photos as well.  The contemporary photo shows the home on an unusually warm winter morning in 2013.  Note the classic knee braces along the roofline.  More photos will be coming from this interesting family.

Shirley Custer and Taffy (1942) of 5515 University Avenue

Lyle, Don,  and Shirley Custer with Taffy at 5515 University Avenue (1942)

Do, Shirley, and Lyle Custer on Easter Sunday in 1942 at 5515 University Avenue

5515 University Avenue in 2013

The historic images are courtesy of the Custer family.