Irving Circle Park in 1941

Over the decades, the small Irving Circle Park has served as a lovely spot for taking photos of friends and family. As a nearby resident, I can assure you that in 2016 it happens weekly. In the spring of 1941, Donna Garland and Barbara Jones brought their camera and a beloved pet to document their friendship. In the photos, you will see that the girls are mainly in the western part of the park with their camera pointing east. Behind the young ladies, you can see the doubles at 237-39 and 245-47 South Audubon Road as well as 251 South Audubon Road.  Dr. Walter Kelly owned the large double at 237-39. In 1941, he rented the other half of his residence to the DeHaven family.  Next door the Bowmans and Myers resided in the large American Four Square double. The Johnston family lived in the beautiful arts and crafts home located at 251 South Audubon Road. You will also note that there was not much of a fountain in the park during those years. You can see a small concrete base that contained a pipe that shot out water during the warmer months.

Donna Garland posed for Barbara Jones in the spring of 1941 in the Irving Circle Park. Behind her, you can see the double at 245-47 South Audubon Road and the house at 251 South Audubon Road. 

Barbara Jones posed with a beloved pet in the Irving Circle Park in the spring of 1941. Behind her you can see Dr. Walter Kelly's darkly stained double at 237-39 South Audubon Road and the large green American Four Square double at 245-47 South Audubon Road.

Donna Garland posed in the Irving Circle Park in the spring of 1941. Behind her, you can see the small concrete base that housed a water spout. Barbara Jones, the photographer, aimed her camera east towards University Avenue.  

Reunion at New York Street Double c1943

Orville and Alice Bowman dwelled in their duplex located at 5755 East New York Street for many years. The couple hailed from Ohio and raised their three sons, Gerald, Deforrest (Forry), and Albert in the house. Mr. Bowman was an insurance salesman.  The Bowman double was valued at $10,000 in the 1930 Federal Census.

In 1943, the Bowman sons gathered for a reunion with their parents.  In the top photo, Deforrest and his wife Marilois and his son, Michael, posed with his brother, Gerald, sister-in-law, Maxine, and his nephew, Richard in the family home on East New York Street.  The families gathered in the dining room for this photo.  Note the wonderful light fixture above the men.

In the second photo, Michael and Richard Bowman, posed for their grandparents in the same home. The contemporary photo, shows 5755 East New York Street in 2012.  The home still retains its original wood clapboard siding and rafter beams.  The historic photos are courtesy of the Bowman family.

Grandkids visit the Meek Family

Homer G. and Ruth Bonner Meek dwelled at 5809 Lowell Avenue for many years. The 1930 Census reveals that their home was valued at $7500. The Meeks hailed from Greensburg and moved to Indianapolis in the 1920s. Mr. Meek worked for the London Assurances Corporation as an insurance salesman. They raised their daughters Ruth and Marilois in the two-story stuccoed home. Marilois eventually married the boy next door or at least a block away. The Bowman and Meek families joined together in 1936 when Marilois married Deforrest Bowman.

The Bowmans had two children, Michael and Susan, who frequently visited both sets of grandparents. In these photos taken in the late 1930s and 1940s in the backyard of 5809 Lowell Avenue, the Bowman children played with each other or with their parents. I have also included photos of Homer and Ruth Meek when they were young and still living in Greensburg, Indiana.

Michael and Susan Bowman play in the backyard of 5809 Lowell Avenue in August of 1949

Deforrest Bowman plays with his son Michael in the backyard of 5809 Lowell Avenue in 1938

Marilois Bowman proudly poses with her son Michael in the backyard of 5809 Lowell Avenue in 1938

Michael plays in the beautiful backyard belonging to the Meek family at 5809 Lowell Avenue in 1938. Note that Mrs. Meek has planted nasturtium, gladiolus, and zinnias next to her stylish birdbath.  

Homer Meek c.1905

Ruth Bonner in 1905

5809 E. Lowell Avenue in 2012

The historic images are courtesy of the Bowman family.  The contemporary image shows the front of 5809 Lowell Avenue in 2012.

Lowell Avenue Scenes c.1948

Michael and Susan Bowman loved to visit their grandparents, the Meeks, who lived on Lowell Avenue and the Bowmans, who lived on East New York Street.  In these two photos, the Bowmans gathered on the front yard of the Meek home at 5809 Lowell Avenue.  The home behind the family in the photo is actually 5816 Lowell Avenue.  You can also see the rear of the Dutch Colonial homes along North Bolton Avenue.  Today that view is not possible because a small house has been built obscuring the views of 1948.  In the top photo, Marilois Bowman posed with her two children.   Little Susie Bowman stood upon a landscaping rock.  In the second photo, Michael Bowman showed off his new bike while a neighbor girl (in the scarf) and his sister admired the gift.  The contemporary images, taken in 2012, shows the same views sans the cute children.

Marilois Bowman and her two children, Susan and Michael, c1948 in the front yard of 5809 Lowell Avenue

Susan and Michael Bowman (left) and a neighbor girl standing in the front yard of 5809 Lowell Avenue c1948

5816 Lowell Avenue in October of 2012

Lowell Avenue looking towards North Bolton in 2012 

The historic images are courtesy of the Bowman family.

Bowman Family of Walnut Street

Deforrest and Marilois Meek Bowman grew up just a block apart in Irvington and settled down in the neighborhood.  They set up housekeeping at 5218 East Walnut Street after marrying in 1936.  Mr. Bowman was a  businessman and a talented athlete who used to exercise in nearby Ellenberger Park.  Mrs. Bowman was an interior designer.  The couple raised their two children, Michael and Susan, in the large duplex on Walnut Street.   The following photos, courtesy of the Bowman family, show the children in the late 1940s and images of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman.

Michael and Susan Bowman posed for this photo around 1949 in their front yard at 5218 East Walnut St.

Beautiful spirea served as a perfect scene for Michael an Susan Bowman around 1948. Their Mom likely took this photo in front of their home at 5218 East Walnut Street. Behind the children, you can see houses just east of the home.  

The Bowman children gather for Christmas around 1950 at 5218 East Walnut Street.  

Deforrest Bowman was a talented athlete who used to workout in Ellenberger Park.  He posed for  this photo with his young son Michael around 1939 on the front porch of 5218 East Walnut Street.

This beautiful photo shows Marilois Meek Bowman on her wedding day on June 13, 1936, at the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  

Michael Bowman boxes with his father at 5218 East Walnut Street in 1940.

5218 East Walnut Street in the autumn of 2012

Homes just east of 5218 East Walnut Street in 2012

A Walk on North Ritter Avenue c1948

Mike and Susan Bowman, who lived on Walnut Street, walked along North Ritter Avenue around 1948. Perhaps they were going to school or just out visiting friends or family. They are bundled up and the leaves are gone from the trees. Behind them, you can see 71 and 75-77 North Ritter Avenue and beyond. More wonderful photos will be forthcoming from this interesting Irvington family. The contemporary image of the same view was taken in the autumn of 2012.

Mike and Susan Bowman on North Ritter Avenue c.1948

North Ritter Avenue 2012

The historic image is courtesy of the Bowman family.