Scouts, School #82, and a Long Lost House

      Ron Huggler, who grew up at 4613 Young Avenue, participated in both Cub and Boy Scouts. Many of his friends in the neighborhood joined the same pack. They met in numerous places including at the American Legion Lodge located in the former Scot Butler home at 124 South Downey Avenue. The shots below are the first known interior images of that home which was demolished in the late 1950s. On Memorial Days, the boys marched in honor of the veterans at places like Washington Park Cemetery. They went on field trips as well. During one spring vacation from school, Cub Scout Pack #29 visited U.S. Naval Ordnance plant at Arlington Avenue and 21st. Many of the Dads who worked at the plant proudly posed for a photo with their sons. 

Cub Scout Pack #29

This photo turned out to be a remarkable find as it is the first known interior shot of the former Scot Butler home at 124 South Downey Avenue. The home later became the Irvington American Legion Post #38 before it was torn down in the 1950s. In 1949, members of Cub Scout Pack #29 gathered in the former parlor of the home for a group photograph with their "den" parents and perhaps members of the American Legion. We know some of the names of the people in the photo, but we need your help. Let us know if you recognize anyone! Front Row (l to r) Unknown Man, Possibly Mrs. Proctor, Jerry Hatcher, Unknown scout, Robert Butler, Dale May, Unknown man;  First Row on stage (l to r) Unknown man, Unknown scout, Ron Huggler, Walter Bowles, Bruce Proctor, Unknown scout, Brad Lane, Unknown scout, Unknown scout, Unknown scout, Unknown woman, Unknown woman; Top Row on stage (l to r): Unknown scout, Unknown scout, Possibly Alan Miller, Unknown scout, Unknown scout, Royce Bourne, Robert Horton (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Members of Cub Scout Pack #29 performed a skit c1949 at the Irvington American Legion Post #38 at 124 South Downey Avenue (former home of Scot Butler) Scouts pictured (l to r): Unknown scout, Dale May, Robert Horton, Ron Huggler, Brad Lane, Jerry Hatcher, and Unknown Scout (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

Scot Butler, the son of Ovid Butler, moved to 124 South Downey Avenue. This photo was likely snapped around 1902. The home later became the American Legion Post for Irvington. It was torn down in the late 1950s to make room for the mid-century round office structure for the Disciples of Christ. The boys in the image above were photographed in the front parlor on the first floor. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society) 

On Memorial Day 1949, members of Cub Scout Pack #29 marched in the Washington Park Cemetery to honor veterans of both World War I and World War II. (photos courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Members of a local marching band joined the cub scouts at Washington Park Cemetery in 1949 to honor veterans. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

On April 11, 1949, members of Cub Scout Pack #29 toured the US Naval Ordnance plant at Arlington Avenue and 21st Street. Let us know if you recognize some of the people in this photograph. Front row (l to r): Ron Huggler, Brad Lane, Robert Lanham, Unknown scout, Robert Butler; Second row (l to r): Unknown scout, Unknown scout, Dale May, Jerry Hatcher, Unknown Scout, Alan Miller, Ronald Lisby, Unknown Scout; Third row (l to r): Bruce Proctor, Walter Bowles, Unknown Scout, Unknown Scout, Unknown Scout; Fourth row (l to r): Scoutmaster Walter Proctor, Marjorie Bourne, Unknown woman, Unknown woman, Unknown woman, Unknown woman; Top Row: Ed Harwood, John Huggler, Unknown Man, Cleo Bourne, Unknown woman, Martha Lanham, Nathan Brinson

IPS #82 (Christian Park School)

     Most children from the Christian Park Heights neighborhood attended IPS #82. They could easily walk from their homes north and south of Brookville Road. The school had a very active parent organization and even sponsored a Mother's Chorus. Helen Huggler and other Moms sang at events around the city of Indianapolis and even participated in a competition in South Bend. Throughout the 1940s, a representative from the Christian family would welcome the kids to school. Ron Huggler remembered learning about the family's history near the school's beautiful fireplace in the children's activity room. 

IPS #82 on a snowy day c1951(photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

A classroom scene inside IPS #82 c1951 (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

In December of 1951 students at IPS #82 performed a Christmas pageant. The art class created the "stained glass" behind the kids. Standing (left to right): Jimmy Christian, Katherine Kollman, Ronald Nichols, Unknown, Ron Huggler; Seated (left to right); Walter Bowles, Mark Bottema, Cheenu Rassman, Judy Bechtel, Dale May (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Members of the Class of 1953 from IPS #82 posed for this formal photograph. Standing (left to right): James Christian, James Simmons, Ronald Corya, Walter Hill, Charles Karr, Karl Hedges, Ronald Chappell, Jerry Hensley, Tom Barber; Seated (left to right): Bill Wheeling, Dave Stafford, Sharon Means, Judy Proctor, Janet Redman, David Probst, Ron Huggler (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

We do not know the occasion, but several members of the class of 1953 from IPS #82 gathered for this photograph c1953. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Judy Bechtel and Cathy Dudley posed next to the Christian Park School "float" c1952.  Behind the girls you can see 4702 Wentworth Boulevard. Drop me an e-mail if you know what this float was used for as we are still searching for that reason!  (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

John Pogue posed next to the Christian Park School "float" c1952 along Wentworth Boulevard. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Sources:  Ron Huggler, "The Best of Times: Random Thoughts on My Journey to Now," Unpublished memoir, 2006; Interviews with Ron Huggler, January 23, 26, February 1, 15, 20, 2023. A special thanks to Don Flick and Steve Barnett at the Irvington Historical Society.