Ruhsenberger Family--East Washington St.

In this rare photo taken sometime between 1921 and 1924, you can get a glimpse of the northwest corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. Three homes occupied the site where a former filling station and parking lot now stands in 2011. The Ruhsenberger family dwelled at 5930 East Washington. Charles A. Ruhsenberger was a salesman and manager of Levinson's Store on Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis. His wife Hattie was a homemaker and active clubwoman in Irvington. The Ruhsenbergers lived on this corner for at least three decades.

In this photo Hattie Ruhsenberger poses with her two children Roger A. and Esterbelle. Roger had just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He would later have a long life in public service for the United States government including a stint as the Deputy Commander for NATO! A graduate of Harvard University, he also helped to build the first radio station at the Pensacola, Florida naval base. You can see a small section of the porch of 5930 East Washington, but the photo provides a wonderful view of 5934 East Washington Street. Charles and Helen Owen lived in this house for decades. This image and information is courtesy of Ann Stewart. More will be coming about this interesting corner in Irvington.