The Longs Celebrate an Anniversary--1954

     On September 14, 1954, Robert Bryant Long and Daisy Lee Long sat in their living room at 222 South Ritter Avenue on the day of their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple had lived in the bungalow for at least forty years. Mr. Long had earned a comfortable living as a salesman for the Bemis Bag Company located on Barth Avenue. He sold bags used for salt, rice, flour, potatoes, and feed for 53 years. Mrs. Long stayed at home and raised their two sons, Arthur and Robert, Jr. She was also involved in numerous clubs including the Irvington Woman's Club. The couple belonged to the Irvington Dramatic Club and they frequently starred in various productions often put on in Moore's Hall, formerly located on the northwest corner of South Audubon Road and Bonna Avenue. For example, on December 2, 1921, they both acted in a one-act play by A.A. Milne titled "Wurzel-Flummery." Mr. Long played the leading man named Robert Crenshaw, while Mrs. Long portrayed Violet Crenshaw, his daughter! 

     In the spring of 1922, the Longs took out a sizable building permit and remodeled the home. It is possible that they added the garage and sun porch at that time. During the Great Depression, the couple took in lodgers. We don't know the exact origin of the photograph below but it belonged to the Davis family, who lived across the street in the double at 217 South Ritter Avenue. The Davis family knew the Longs quite well as they leased their double from them. 

     Five years after this photo was snapped, Mr. Long died as he prepared to depart Florida for the trip back to Irvington. He was 76 years old. Mrs. Long lived on until 1970 and died at the age of 87.        

Daisy Lee Long and Robert Bryant Long sat in their living room at 222 South Ritter Avenue on September 14, 1954. (courtesy of Deedee Davis)

222 South Ritter Avenue, 2022 (Google Streetview)

     Thank you to Deedee and Dodie Davis for the photograph and information for this post. 

Sources:  Interview with Deedee Davis, July 27, 2023; Obituary for Robert B. Long--Indianapolis News, April 7, 1959, 7: Obituary for Daisy Long--Indianapolis News, November 17, 1970, 29; Irvington Dramatic Club--"Calendar," Indiana Daily Times, December 2, 1921; Federal Census Records for 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950; Building permit--Indiana Daily Times, May 10, 1922.