War Rationing Comes to Graham Avenue

The modest bungalow at 335 North Graham Avenue served as the home for the Richardson family as American troops fought during World War II.

George and Edythe Richardson married on December 11, 1938, and first resided in a small apartment at 4414 East New York Street. Later, they moved into 351 North Audubon Road with George's family. By 1943, they were ready to strike out on their own and relocated into the Graham Avenue home along with their children, Donn and Elizabeth. Arthur L. Chesterfield, the father of Edythe Richardson and owner of the Aluminum Finishing Company, lived with them as well. George worked at Allison's Engine at the time, but he would later work for his father-in-law. During the war, Mr. Richardson had to get up at three in the morning to go into work to assist with building military devices called bombsights. Edythe Richardson likely worried about all four of her brothers who all fought in the war. Her brother, Ed Chesterfield, helped to liberate the concentration camp known as Dachau. Her brother, Art Chesterfield, served as a guard during the Nuremberg Trials after the war was over. Her sisters also aided in the war effort at home.

As World War II raged on, Americans like the Richardsons received war ration booklets containing stamps. Every member of the family received a booklet including the very youngest who might need canned milk. Sugar, coffee, rubber, and gasoline were hard to get as the war dragged on so folks like the Richardsons had to use their rations to obtain certain products. The booklets pictured below, were issued by the government in 1943. Like many Americans, the family also planted a victory garden to raise their own produce. The Richardson family garden was actually located southeast of Washington Street and Arlington Avenue.

While the Richardson family really outgrew their bungalow almost as soon as they moved into it, they waited until the end of the war to move into a much larger residence at 477 North Audubon Road.

Edythe and George Richardson met at Butler University. They married in 1938 and moved into this bungalow at 335 North Graham Avenue in 1943. 

George Richardson stood along the walk in his front yard at 335 North Graham Avenue in 1943. 

George Richardson posed for a photograph in his front yard at 335 North Graham Avenue in 1943. Behind him, you can see the bungalow located at 333 North Graham Avenue. The Ratz family, neighbors to the Richardsons, lived in that residence for years. 

The Richardsons of 335 North Graham Avenue were issued ration booklets for each member of the family in 1943. Arthur Chesterfield, listed on one of the booklets, was the father of Edythe Richardson. 

I wish to thank Donn and Carolyn Richardson for making this post possible. 

Johnson and Julian Avenue Scenes Mid-1950s

Shortly after starting his new job with the Selective Service Administration in 1952, George H. Warner purchased the beautiful home at 66 Johnson Avenue. Mr. Warner, a veteran of World War II, had been employed with the Illinois Central Railroad from 1935 until 1952. One of his earliest tasks in his new position with the Selective Service System was to find jobs for conscientious objectors. Around 800 young men in Indiana needed placement and it was Captain Warner's job to find them positions in various hospitals or churches throughout the state. While he was at work, Louise Warner stayed at home and raised the couple's two children, Stephen and Anne. The Warners could easily get to church as the Irvington Presbyterian Church was just across the street. They remained in the home for about eleven years. Mr. Warner passed away in 1962 and the family continued to dwell in the house for another year before Mrs. Warner listed it with Charles B. Campbell, a local realtor.

Images from the Warner family collection show snowy and summer scenes in the 1950s at the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues.

An unusual fall snowstorm hit Irvington on November 1, 1954. A member of the Warner family at 66 Johnson Avenue documented the moment. 

Christmas 1955 at 66 Johnson Avenue--Pictured:  (Back row left to right) George H. Warner, Harlan Haworth; (Middle Row left to right) Louise Warner, Ethel Haworth, Ellen Sommerville; (front row) Anne Warner 

Anne Warner posed in her front yard at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1954. Other homes visible in the photo include both 58 and 54 Johnson Avenue.

Anne Warner stood in her front yard at 66 Johnson Avenue during a snowstorm in 1954. Behind her, you can see the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues. 5603 Julian Avenue is the most visible home in the image. 

George H. Warner built a snowman with his children, Anne and Stephen, in the side yard of their home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1955. Behind the family, you can see some of the homes in the 5500 block of Julian Avenue. 

Little Anne Warner posed with a neighborhood cat in the summer of 1955 next to her home at 66 Johnson Avenue. 

On a hot summer day in 1955, Steve Warner, Anne Warner, Dorothy Reasoner, and Larry Reasoner jumped into a kiddie pool in the side yard at 66 Johnson Avenue 

Steve Warner (front and lower left) posed with his many buddies at his home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1958. If you recognize any of these children, drop me a note at the e-mail listed on the side of the page and I will add their names!

Anne and Steve Warner posed next to their home at 66 Johnson Avenue in the summer of 1955. 

Wintry Scene 1954: A member of the Warner family snapped this snowy scene from the family home at 66 Johnson Avenue. In the photo, you can see the Irvington Presbyterian Church and the residences located in the 5600 block of Julian Avenue. 

66 Johnson Avenue in the waning days of 2019. 

I wish to thank Steve Warner for his generosity for the use of the photos. I also wish to thank Paul Diebold.

Sources: "Job Assignment for Objectors Begins," Indianapolis News, August 21, 1952, 29; Sale of home: "Sold the House," Indianapolis Star, October 20, 1963, 37.