Mary Pulver Stevenson in the late 1930s

Mary Pulver eloped with Robert Stevenson in 1909. The couple eventually settled in Irvington and dwelled in three separate houses together. In 1915, they adopted Robert's ten-year-old nephew, Edward Lollis. The family dwelled at 275 South Audubon Road, 5698 East Washington Street (demolished), and in their final home together at 56 South Irvington Avenue. Mr. Stevenson died in 1939. We do not know the occasion for this photo, but Mrs. Stevenson posed for the snapshot sometime in the late 1930s. Behind her, you can see Julian Avenue when it was a brick street and also the rear of IPS #57.  If you look closely, you can also see some residences along South Ritter Avenue in the distance.  After her husband's passing, Mrs. Stevenson moved to 112 Johnson Avenue where she remained for many years. She taught Sunday school at the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  You may read more about the Stevenson or Lollis family by clicking on the links below.  

Mary Pulver Stevenson (1884-1969) posed for  this image sometime in the late 1930s in her front yard at 56 South Irvington Avenue. Behind her, you can see School #57 and homes along South Ritter Avenue.  

This photo is courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

Winter Fun in 1943 Along Julian Avenue

Ted Lollis, the only child of Edward and Georgia May Lollis, dwelled at 5866 Julian Avenue in 1943. His parents owned the doubles at 5866-68 and at 5872-74 Julian Avenue. After a snowfall in the winter of 1943, young Ted grabbed his sled and enjoyed a ride down the small hill in his front yard. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5854 and 5848 Julian Avenue.

James and Ruby Baker lived in the two-story white house at 5854 Julian Avenue in 1943 along with their two sons, David and John. Mr. Baker was a switchman for the Indiana Bell Telephone Company. He must have been doing well enough in 1940 for the family to afford a live-in maid named Mary Phelps. Next door, in the smaller bungalow, dwelled Miss Clara Steele, a second grade teacher at IPS #78. She frequently housed a lodger and in the early 1940s, her cousin, Edna Dryson, also lived with her.  Had any of these folks looked outside on this wintry day, they would have seen Ted Lollis enjoying the fresh snowfall.

Ted Lollis enjoyed playing in the snow during the winter of 1943. Behind him, you can see his neighbor's dwellings at 5854 and 5848 Julian Avenue.  

Ted Lollis posed for this image in the winter of 1943 in his front yard at 5866 Julian Avenue. Behind him, you can see residences west of his home.  

The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis. Additional information for this post came from the 1940 Federal Census and the obituary of Miss Clara Steele published in the Indianapolis Star in 1991.