Creighton Apartments--1947

Entrepreneur, Samuel H. Creighton hired architect Charles Edgar Bates in 1916 to design a beautiful Tudor-Revival structure for the northwest corner of Downey and Julian Avenues.  Built as four separate townhouses under one roof, the apartment building was sheathed in brick for the lower story and stucco for the upper. Beautiful terra cotta tiles graced the steep gables of the building. Mr. Creighton along with his wife, Nora, and their son, Samuel Taylor, Jr.,  moved into the western townhouse at 60 South Downey Avenue and rented out the remaining three along Julian Avenue. Various renters over the years could look out their windows and see the Butler mansion (demolished) and the original brick Downey Avenue Christian Church.

Time has not been kind to the elegant dwellings. Subsequent owners and landlords have removed much of the charm of the place, however, on a snowy day in 1947, the Creighton Apartments still looked lovely.  The historic photo was snapped by the Palmer family who happened to be going for a walk with their toddler, Janet, just after the snow ended.  To learn more about the these apartments check out Paul Diebold's research in Greater Irvington (1997).

The Creighton Apartments at the northwest corner of Downey and Julian Avenues in 1947

The Creighton Apartments in 2016

The historic photo is courtesy of Janet Chapman and Dick Palmer.  

Downey Avenue on a Snowy Day

Dick Palmer and Mildred Orr Palmer, moved into a walkup apartment at 55 South Downey Avenue in 1947. Mr. Palmer had just completed his stint with the Air Force and had a job at a filling station on Meridian Street. Mrs. Palmer stayed home to raise the couple's first child, Janet. Their tenure along Downey Avenue was brief as Mr. Palmer received a job with Western Adjustment and Inspection Company (later known as General Adjustment Bureau) in Muncie, Indiana.  Living in the downstairs apartment at the time was Lorin and Wilma Mae Eichhorn Sentiff.  Mr. Sentiff was an inspector while Mrs. Sentiff was an elementary school teacher.

Sometime in 1947 and just after a snowstorm, the Palmers grabbed their camera and their toddler, Janet, to take a walk.  They snapped several scenes including these lovely shots on Downey Avenue.

Mildred Orr Palmer and Janet Palmer enjoyed a snowy day in Irvington in 1947 in the front yard of 55 South Downey Avenue.  

Downey Avenue looking south towards East Washington Street: The house most visible in the photo is that of 23 South Downey Avenue. The Negley family dwelled there in 1947. You can also see the rear of the Moynahan Apartments at 5345 East Washington Street.

23 South Downey Avenue in 2016

Richard and Mildred Palmer rented the upper story of this home at 55 South Downey Avenue in 1947.  

The historic images and stories for this post are courtesy of Janet Chapman and Dick Palmer. 

Who Lived Here? The Palmer Family

Walter and Mary Fee Palmer dwelled at 333 North Audubon Road for five decades beginning in the 1920s. Dr. Palmer worked six days a week for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He retired from that agency in 1950. Mary Fee Palmer did not work but taught piano lessons from a small den in their home and was a member of various clubs including the Luncheon Club, the Irvington Coterie,  the Irvington Friendship Circle, and Alumnae Club of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. The couple also belonged to the Irvington Presbyterian Church and the Society of Indiana Pioneers.

The Palmers built beautiful gardens with rock walls in their backyard. Mr. Palmer had a workshop in the basement where he refinished furniture and rebuilt tools. He kept a bookshelf full of classics in his living room so that he would not lose his ability to read Greek and Latin. The couple raised one son, Dick, in the house and both would spend the majority of their lives along Audubon Road.

Mary Palmer sat in her living room at 333 North Audubon Road in 1943. 

Walter and Mary Fee Palmer grew beautiful flowers and many vegetables on their lot at 333 North Audubon Road. The couple also hauled rocks from around the Irvington area to build these beautiful walls. (photo--1947)

Mary and Walter Palmer enjoyed a warm day in 1947 in their backyard at 333 North Audubon Road. 

The dining room at the home of Walter and Mary Palmer at 333 North Audubon Road in 1943.  

Dr. Walter Palmer relaxed next to his fireplace at 333 North Audubon Road in 1943.  

Mary Palmer posed for this photograph in her living room at 333 North Audubon Road in 1943.  

A lovely corner in the dining room at 333 North Audubon Road in 1943...note the tea kettle hanging over an oil burning warmer on the antique table.  

333 North Audubon Road in 2016

Images and information for this post were courtesy of Janet Chapman and Dick Palmer.  

Friends Pay a Visit Along Audubon Road in 1943

Dick Palmer, who grew up at 333 North Audubon Road, graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1939 and later at Miami University in Ohio in 1943. Sometime in 1943, Dick returned home just before going off to flight school to learn how to fly B-25 aircraft. Many of his buddies stopped by for a visit in Irvington including John and Bernard Korbly, who lived up the street at 425 North Audubon Road and another friend named Jim Boyd, who dwelled with a widowed aunt at 346 North Audubon Road.  All of the young men were likely thinking about their futures as World War II raged overseas, but at least for the time being they shared a few light-hearted moments in front of Dick's home.

Bernard (driving) and John Korbly of 425 North Audubon Road stopped by the Palmer home in their 1935 Ford Roadster convertible to visit Dick Palmer in 1943. Behind the young men, you can see the Ostrander home at 323 North Audubon Road and the Buck home at 311 North Audubon Road.  

Jim Boyd in his "gas saver" had fun trying to push the Buick parked in front of 336 North Audubon Road in 1943. Jim lived with his widowed Aunt Edith Edwards at 346 North Audubon Road. A pianist, he frequently played the blues on his Aunt's piano.

Jim Boyd drove his "gas saver" along Audubon Road. Behind him, you can see the homes at 326 and 336 North Audubon Road in 1943.  

One of the Korbly brothers jumped into the photo while Jim Boyd attempted to drive a homemade contraption in 1943. Behind the young men you can best see 344  and 346 North Audubon Road. 

Dick Palmer posed in his Pontiac in the summer of 1943. Behind him, you can see the Ostrander residence at 323 North Audubon Road. 

Dick Palmer during his senior year at Arsenal Technical High School in 1939.  

Images and stories for this post are courtesy of Janet Chapman and Dick Palmer.