Bowman Family of Walnut Street

Deforrest and Marilois Meek Bowman grew up just a block apart in Irvington and settled down in the neighborhood.  They set up housekeeping at 5218 East Walnut Street after marrying in 1936.  Mr. Bowman was a  businessman and a talented athlete who used to exercise in nearby Ellenberger Park.  Mrs. Bowman was an interior designer.  The couple raised their two children, Michael and Susan, in the large duplex on Walnut Street.   The following photos, courtesy of the Bowman family, show the children in the late 1940s and images of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman.

Michael and Susan Bowman posed for this photo around 1949 in their front yard at 5218 East Walnut St.

Beautiful spirea served as a perfect scene for Michael an Susan Bowman around 1948. Their Mom likely took this photo in front of their home at 5218 East Walnut Street. Behind the children, you can see houses just east of the home.  

The Bowman children gather for Christmas around 1950 at 5218 East Walnut Street.  

Deforrest Bowman was a talented athlete who used to workout in Ellenberger Park.  He posed for  this photo with his young son Michael around 1939 on the front porch of 5218 East Walnut Street.

This beautiful photo shows Marilois Meek Bowman on her wedding day on June 13, 1936, at the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  

Michael Bowman boxes with his father at 5218 East Walnut Street in 1940.

5218 East Walnut Street in the autumn of 2012

Homes just east of 5218 East Walnut Street in 2012