Christian Park Heights Developer Resumed Construction as Great Depression Ebbed

      Developers first began construction for housing in the Christian Park Heights subdivision on the former Moore-Christian farm in 1924.  After the stock market crash of 1929 development in the area ceased.  The huge venture encompassed several blocks. Boundaries for the subdivision included the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to the north,  English Avenue on the south, Worcester Avenue on the east, and Denny Street on the west. Other streets included Young, Farrington, Stratford, Bosart, Drexel, Gladstone, and Grant Avenues, along with Chester Street, and Brookville Road. The crown jewel of the neighborhood was the beautiful Margaret Christian Park. Eventually, the city added IPS #82 at the corner of Worcester and English Avenues to accommodate all of the new families who had moved into the area. 

Grinslade Co. constructed several homes along Young Avenue in late 1941. This view shows the 4600 block in the winter of 1942. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Faustina and Art Dudley stood in their backyard at 4605 Young Avenue in 1942. The photographer is facing west. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

A Baist map shows the Christian Park Heights subdivision to the city of Indianapolis. Construction halted during the Great Depression and resumed in the early 1940s. (IUPUI Digital Collections)

     In the early 1940s, the Grinslade Company began construction on smaller two and three-bedroom homes in Christian Park Heights. Buyers had about five options for floor plans. In 1941, two-bedroom homes cost $3500 and three bedrooms started at $4400. The new construction represented the future of housing developments in its conformity, mass production, and speculation. Those who could afford a house in Christian Park Heights had an opportunity to obtain the American dream. Although there appeared to be no racist covenants in the charter, the first residents of the community were overwhelmingly white. A previous Grinslade development, Millerdale, just east of Christian Park Heights did have a racist covenant. Diversity among the population would not come until much later. 

     In the winter of 1942, the Grinslade Company placed ads in the local newspapers announcing the newest homes available for purchase. One of those residences included a modest two-bedroom house complete with a living room, dinette (smaller than a dining room), kitchen, bathroom, basement, and a one-car garage at 4613 Young Avenue. None of the houses had front porches, but some had covered stoops. All of the houses, including 4613, had been whitewashed. Some had shutters. John H. and Helen Huggler toured the house shortly after it was advertised and placed an offer. They moved into the pretty bungalow in March of 1942 with their young son, Ron. 

The Huggler home at 4613 Young Avenue in 1942. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

An ad for 4613 Young Avenue appeared in the Indianapolis Star, January 25, 1942. 

John and Helen Huggler lived the rest of their lives at 4613 Young Avenue. They posed for this photograph on Christmas Day c1950. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

John and Helen Huggler in their home at 4613 Young Avenue, Christmas Day, c1950. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Linda and Bethany Teeguarden posed with Ron Huggler along the front walk of the Huggler home at 4613 Young Avenue. The Teeguardens resided at 4621 Young Avenue c1942. Behind the kids, you can see 4610, 4614, and 4618 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

     The Hugglers had been renting since their marriage. Like most new residents, they took out a mortgage in order to be able to pay for the house. Their son Ron reports that at first they were worried about the monthly mortgage payment at $19.46. Mr. Huggler earned a living first as a truck driver and later as an employee of what would become US Naval Avionics on North Arlington Avenue and East 21st Street. Mrs. Huggler, a talented musician, stayed at home and raised their son. The family inherited a 1929 Hupmobile, which they used for years as the family car. 

John Huggler stood next to the front door of his home in the living room of 4613 Young Avenue in 1943. The Hugglers later painted the woodwork and removed the wallpaper. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Patrick, the beloved family pet, posed in front of Helen Huggler c1950 in the living room at 4613 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

Cathy Dudley of 4605 Young Avenue posed for a photo with Ron Huggler along the entry sidewalk at 4613 Young Avenue in 1942. Behind the kids you can see 4622, 4626, 4630, and 4634 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Ron Huggler (left) played Monopoly with his buddies Wayne Bruness and Dale May in the living room at 4613 Young Avenue c1953. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Ron Huggler placed a pole in the ground for a badminton tournament in his front yard at 4613 Young Avenue along with his friends, Alan Miller and Wayne Bruness c1951. Behind the boys you can see 4614 and 4618 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

John Huggler proudly posed with his son, Ron, who was preparing to leave for basic training for the National Guard, in the front yard of 4613 Young Avenue in 1963.  (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Helen Huggler, a devoted Mom, posed next to her son, Ron Huggler in the front yard of 4613 Young Avenue in 1963 for the same occasion as in the photo above. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

In late 1942, John Huggler inherited a 1929 Hupmobile from his Aunt Dessie Ault. The huge automobile became the Huggler family car for years. In this photo, snapped in 1950 on a road trip to Florida, Ron and Helen Huggler posed next to the car at a roadside motor court in Georgia. The car had window blinds and a foot rest in the backseat. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

    For young "Ronnie" Huggler, the new neighborhood seemed like paradise as there were many young families with children living in most of the houses. 

Next:  Neighbors Along Young Avenue

     This post would not have been possible without Ron Huggler, the historian for Christian Park Heights. He has been documenting the history of the area for years. Every neighborhood needs someone like him! 

Sources: Interviews with Ron Huggler, January 23 and 26, 2023; McCords-Dirks Mortgage Company document, 1942, courtesy of Ron Huggler; "Christian Park Heights 'Where the Boulevards Meet," Indianapolis News, May 17, 1924, 36: Abstract for Lot 41 in Millerdale Addition courtesy of Mike Widner.