Hess and Josephine Jones left their native Crawford County, Indiana for a better life in Indianapolis in the mid-1930s. Mr. Jones found work as a brakeman for a nearby railroad and later told his granddaughter that it was "the best job ever." He was likely grateful at having employment at the height of the Great Depression. The Jones family moved into 273 South Ritter Avenue in 1937 and paid $20 a month in rent. They definitely needed the space to house their five children--Barbara, Burrell, Robert, Betty, and Melanie. They would continue to dwell in the house for decades and would become a fixture in southern Irvington.
In this wonderful photograph, taken in 1937, Barbara, Betty, and Burrell Jones sat on the front porch at 273 South Ritter Avenue. Behind them, you can see Hess Jones standing in the doorway. A shadow of the ornamental porch detail (now gone) can be seen along the exterior of the home. Contemporary photographs show the home in 2014.
 |
| Barbara, Betty, and Burrell Jones on the front porch at 273 South Ritter Avenue in 1937 |
 |
| Front porch of 273 South Ritter Avenue in 2014 |
 |
| 273 South Ritter Avenue in 2014 |
No comments:
Post a Comment