University Avenue Home in 1949

Many families have called 5543 University Avenue home over the decades.  This stately home has been an important part of the fabric of Irvington since the early twentieth century.   Several prominent families have lived here including the Barnards and Shadingers.  The subject of this photo, however, was the not the home, but rather that of Librain Collins, who lived with the Holloways (his inlaws), next door at 5531 University Avenue.  The Collins family and the Holloways hailed from the Knightstown, Indiana area before moving to Irvington.  Mr. Collins was 67 years at the time of this photo.  He would live another eight years before passing away in 1957.

Librain Collins stood in front of 5531 University Avenue in 1949. Behind him you can see 5543 University Avenue

5543 University Avenue in 2012

The pictured home at 5543 University Avenue has changed over the years.  Sometime after this photo was taken, the homeowners added aluminum siding and removed the classical cornices (corners).  The front porch was also slightly changed.  A large picture window was added on the west side of the house. In the early 2000s, homeowners at that time removed the aluminum siding and put on concrete fiberboard.  They also removed all of the historic windows, but restored the balustrade railing above the porch.

Edw. and Doris Holloway lived at 5531 University Avenue throughout the 1940s.

The historic photo is courtesy of Carolyn Reed via Ancestry.com.  The contemporary photos were taken on a gorgeous fall day on October 16, 2012.  To learn more about 5543 University Avenue click on the Barnard or Shadinger link below.      

Fashionable Ritter Avenue--1905

Beautiful homes graced Ritter Avenue in the early 20th century.  The home in the foreground is that of Charles and Grace Hackleman at 34 North Ritter Avenue.  Their home had just been standing for one year when the historic photograph was taken.  Mr. Hackleman earned a comfortable living as an engraver. He later wrote a textbook on engraving and printing for vocational schools around the nation.  The second home at 40 North Ritter Avenue belonged to salesman, Harry Dwyer.  It was also fairly new in 1905.  The third house visible in the photo belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hunt at 46 North Ritter Avenue.  They had only recently purchased the late-nineteenth-century dwelling from Margaret Cummings, a widow.  Mr. Hunt was listed in the directories as a reporter, salesman, and a businessman involved in at least two separate companies.  The last home seen in this image is that of Elwood and Ethel Barnard at 52 North Ritter.  The Barnards were musicians and had their own orchestra.  Other family members who participated in the Barnard Orchestra included Olive and Helen.

Charles and Helen Hackleman and several neighborhood children at 34 North Ritter Avenue in 1905.

  Charles and Helen Hackleman (she is standing on the sidewalk) were the real subjects of this photograph.  Unidentified neighborhood children have joined the pair.  Perhaps they lived in one of the nearby Ritter Avenue homes.

The block looks very different in 2012.  The Works Progress Administration widened the street in the late 1930s and removed the green space and all of the trees next to the avenue.  Unfortunately, 40 North Ritter was greatly altered in the early 1990s when the owners at that time added an entire story and vinyl sided over the wood shake and clapboards.  A more historic alteration took place at 46 North Ritter perhaps as early as 1915 when it was converted into four apartments.  The other two homes at 34 and 52 North Ritter have changed little in the 107 years since this photo was taken.

40 North Ritter was drastically altered in the early 1990s.

46 North Ritter was converted to apartments in 1915. You can still see the late nineteenth-century fish scale shakes on the side of the home. 

The historic image is courtesy of Karen Bastian Clark.  The contemporary images were shot on October 5, 2012.  

Irvington Dancing Club--1963

2014 marks the centennial anniversary of the Irvington Dancing Club. Founded in 1914, members have continuously kicked up their heels for nearly one hundred years. The original charter forbade any drinking of alcohol at the meetings and dancers always began with the "grand march." The club has met in a variety of locations over the years including Moore's Hall (demolished) on South Audubon Road, the Masonic Building on East Washington Street, and in some of the schools. Alan Kleman is currently compiling a history of the club and needs your help. If you have any information about the Dancing Club or any of its members please drop Alan or myself an e-mail. You may reach Alan at the-klemans@sbcglobal.net. Happy Dancing!!

Mr. Kleman sent the following newspaper article that appeared in the Indianapolis Star in 1963. Some of the people mentioned in the article include Mr. and Mrs. Deane E. Pinney (731 N. Audubon Rd.), Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Husted (727 N. Audubon Rd.), Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Glass (5748 E. Michigan Street), Mrs. Harry E. Barnard (5050 Pleasant Run Pkwy), and Mrs. Robert B. Long (222 S. Ritter Avenue)

Barnard Home Then and Now

Harry and Marion Barnard moved into 5543 University Avenue about 1908. Mr. Barnard was the food and drug commissioner for the state of Indiana and he frequently made the news for closing down bakeries or other unsanitary food establishments. Mrs. Barnard was an active suffragette and clubwoman in Irvington. She corresponded with her sister, a dentist, in New Hampshire regularly. These letters are now on file in the Indiana Historical Society. Numerous other families and individuals have lived in this home including Guy Shadinger. Dr. Shadinger was a chemistry professor at Butler University and in 1925 he was named the most handsome professor on campus. (See next post)

The older photo of the home was taken in 1925. The newer photo of 5543 was shot in 2010.