Milroy Family Moved to Irvington

      For the first twenty-five years of their marriage, Russell and Leona Harton resided in the village of Milroy in southern Rush County. They also raised their two children, James (Jim) and Marilyn there. Mr. Harton worked for the highway department. During World War II, International Harvester, a factory located on Brookville Road in Indianapolis, desperately needed workers as many young men were off fighting in the war. The plant likely paid much better than the Rush County Highway Department where Mr. Harton had been employed. While he likely started working at the factory in 1943, the family did not permanently relocate to Indianapolis until three years later. 

     On March 23, 1946, the middle-aged couple and their seventeen-year-old daughter Marilyn moved to a double at 132 Good Avenue in Irvington. Their son James was away at Indiana University, but came home and stayed with them whenever he was on break. Mr. Harton now had a very easy commute to the factory. He also lived near other neighbors who worked at International Harvester.  Ralph Law, who resided on the other side of the double at 130 Good Avenue worked at the plant as did James Lowery, who dwelled across the street in a double at 123 Good Avenue. 

     Most of the homes along the 100 block of Good Avenue were built between 1921 and 1925. By 1947, only one couple, Edwin F.  and Sarah M. Lay still remained from the 1920s. There was a housing shortage in the United States and in Indianapolis following World War II so the Hartons might have received a tip about the available double from either Ralph Law or James Lowery. It would not have been a quiet street as the Pennsylvania Rail line, a double track, was only one house away. Just across the tracks at 203 Good Avenue, the Hartons could view the Bruckman Ice and Fuel Company from their front porch. It had a coal yard. Their new life in Indianapolis would be very different from the old one in Milroy. They didn't stay in the small duplex for long however as the Hartons soon rented a nineteenth-century cottage located at 220 South Ritter Avenue in 1948. 

Ralph Law (left) chatted with his new neighbor and co-worker, Russell Harton.  Mr. Law and his wife, Mildred lived at 130 Good Avenue in 1946. Behind the men, you can see the bungalows located at 109 (far left), 115 and 117 Good Avenue. The Moorman, Green, and Agnew families resided in those homes in 1946. (photo courtesy of Tom Harton)

The Harton family moved from Milroy, Indiana to 132 Good Avenue on March 23, 1946. Russell Harton worked for International Harvester. Behind him, you can see the bungalow at 117 Good Avenue (left) and part of the double located at 123-25 Good Avenue. (photo courtesy of Tom Harton)

Marilyn Harton of 132 Good Avenue stood near the family automobile in 1946. The seventeen-year-old youth transferred from Milroy High School to Howe High School during her junior year and graduated from Howe in 1947. Behind her, you can see the Agnew home located 117 Good Avenue. 

James (Jim) Harton stood on the front porch of his family's new home at the double located at 130-32 Good Avenue in March of 1946. He was away at Indiana University when his parents made the decision to move from Milroy, Indiana to Irvington. (photo courtesy of Tom Harton)

Shortly after the Hartons moved to Good Avenue, their cousins, the Foysts of New Castle, Indiana came for a visit in 1946. The most visible home in the photo is 117 Good Avenue. Pictured; Joe Foyst, Jim Harton, Marilyn Harton, Mary Ann Foyst, and Martha Lee Foyst (photo courtesy of Tom Harton)

Marilyn Harton of 132 Good Avenue chats with Maria Keller, whose family lived at 136 Good Avenue in May of 1946. Mickey, the Harton family dog, was still getting used to his new home in Irvington as he started life in Milroy, Indiana. Behind the young women, you can see part of 117 Good Avenue and most of the double located at 123-125 Good Avenue. (photo courtesy of Tom Harton)

Butch, the Harton family cat, examines his new home at 132 Good Avenue in Irvington in 1946. The Hartons of Milroy, Indiana had recently moved into the double and brought their pets with them. (photo courtesy of Tom Harton)

     I wish to thank Tom Harton and Marilyn Clarkson for both the photos and stories about the Hartons. I also wish to thank Anne Hardwick. 

Irvington Historical Society

Sources: Good Avenue families:  Polk's Indianapolis City Directories for 1924 and 1947; Move from Milroy to Irvington--Harton family e-mails and "Milroy," Rushville Republican, March 26, 1946; The Rushville Republican documented many events in the lives of the Harton and Thomas families. 

IPS #57 Grade Eight School Photo--1934

Although it would be highly unlikely today, teachers of the graduating class of 1934 from IPS #57 directed the students down Johnson Avenue from East Washington and Ritter to the Irvington Presbyterian Church for a class photo.  The church was only six years old in 1934 so perhaps the photographer, W. Frank Jones, thought that the site made for a better setting that the older school.  Most of the students are dressed in their finest despite the fact that the Great Depression likely took a toll on many Irvington households. The girls are wearing dresses and at least two of the boys are wearing ties.  One young man in the top row has his hand over his heart.  Another young man is still donning his beret.  Sadly, most of the names are the lost to the ages now so if you recognize anyone in this photo then drop me a line at sleeth28@rock.com.  This wonderful image is courtesy of Don Rouse.  His mother, Christine Bruckman, is in the front row.

Members of the grade eight class from IPS #57 pose for their graduation photo in front of the Irvington Presbyterian Church in 1934.

Our Gang--South Hawthorne Lane (1929)

The cycle of life is very evident along streets in neighborhoods.  For decades, blocks can be noisy and filled with the voices of children.  Then, they grow quiet as the avenues are inhabited with the middle aged and the elderly--and then noisy again with the arrival of younger families.  I can only imagine how lively South Hawthorne Lane must have been in 1929 when this photo was taken.  Several Irvington families including the McKeands (136 South Hawthorne Lane), the Bruckmans (141 South Hawthorne Lane), the Shermans, the Moores, and the Heffernans were represented in this picture.  The children were standing in front of the Duff home at 135 South Hawthorne Lane.  Three children have been positively identified thus far.  Christine Bruckman can be seen standing in the top row, the fourth child from the left. Her brother, George Bruckman, is the second child from the right in the middle row.  Joan Bruckman can be seen standing next to the little boy with the dog in the front row.   The historic image is courtesy of Don Rouse.  His mother, Christine Bruckman, is in the photo.  The contemporary photo shows that the area around 135 South Hawthorne Lane is quiet today although the voices of children could be heard further up the block.

The gang is all here!  Children stand in front of 135 South Hawthorne Lane in 1929.

135 South Hawthorne in 2013

Ellenberger Park 1943 and Today

I love it when readers respond to posts.  After reading my most recent blurb on Ellenberger Park, Don Rouse, a frequent contributor to this blog sent in some wonderful images of the park from 1943.  His mother, Christine Bruckman, worked at the Missions Building at 222 Downey Avenue.  She along with two of her coworkers trekked to Ellenberger Park in April of 1943 to take a few photos.  Mr. Rouse also included a few Bruckman family shots from 1943. The park has changed significantly since those days.  You will note that there are more trees along the stream today and that the old wooden bridge has been replaced.  Thank you, Don Rouse for your timeliness!

Christine Bruckman (center) and two of her  unidentified colleagues from the Missions Building pose along the pathways of Ellenberger Park, April 1943

Bruckman family and friends:  Top Left--Christine Bruckman, Lower Right--Joan Bruckman, Front--John Bruckman c1943 in Ellenberger Park with two unidentified ladies.  

Christine Bruckman (left) with two colleagues in Ellenberger Park (April, 1943)

Elsie Cook Liverette stands on the old wooden bridge at Ellenberger Park in 1943

Pleasant Run Creek in Ellenberger Park in 1943

The bridge in Ellenberger Park in 2013

Pleasant Run Creek in 2013

Downey Avenue Christian Church Youth Group--1930

Many of the local churches had active Sunday schools and youth groups.  Downey Avenue Christian Church's location one block north of the international headquarters for the the Disciples of Christ, made it a frequent subject in church newsletters sent all over the world.

In this photo, taken in 1930, local youth complete their exhibits for "Parent's Day." Pictured in this photo:   unknown girl, Christine Bruckman, Russell Barnett, Anna Vert, unknown boy, Betty Flay

How do some photos survive through time and others are lost forever?  In the case of this image, the provenance is quite interesting.  After the photo was taken, it was used in a church promotional.  Many years later, Florence Carmichael (an aunt to musician Hoagy Carmichael), decided to go through her files since she had made the decision to retire from the Disciples of Christ Education Division.  She came upon the photo and saw Christine Bruckman in the picture.  Miss Bruckman had become Mrs. Rouse and worked on the third floor of the Missions building so Mrs. Carmichael sent the photo downstairs. Mrs. Rouse kept the photo and later shared it with her son, Don Rouse, who lent it to me for this blog.  Mrs. Carmichael could have have easily thrown the photo away or it could have become lost over the years.  You will note that the children are standing in a building that was torn down to make way for the current church in the early 1950s.  One other any interesting note is that Russell Barnett was the father of Steve Barnett, who has been the Director of the Irvington Historical Society for many years.

This image is courtesy of Don Rouse.

The Big Reveal! Bruckman Coal Building

As I type this note, workmen have begun to peal away the layers aluminum and vinyl siding at the former Bruckman Coal building at 203 Good Avenue. The current owners were delighted to find that the wood siding on the south side of the building was in good shape and completely salvageable. The removal also found ghost windows and doors. Twentieth century Irvingtonians were practical and thought that if they sheathed their homes and businesses in various sidings they could save money. Thankfully, many residents in the twenty-first century have begun to strip away those layers and are restoring the original footprints. Vintage Irvington has learned of another big reveal coming soon! Stay tuned. You may discover more about this interesting structure by clicking on "Bruckman Family" below.

Irvington Train Wreck--1960

On June 1, 1960, a passenger train bound for St. Louis, Missouri and originating in New York City derailed in Irvington along the Pennsylvania Line. The sixteen-car train crossed Arlington Avenue and as it headed towards Audubon Road, it ran over a faulty rail at Good Avenue. The four rear railcars slipped off the tracks, but did not overturn. Twenty passengers were tossed about, but suffered no injuries. Sixteen-year-old Bill Ferling, an Irvington resident, learned of the crash, grabbed his camera, and raced to the scene. He took these four images of the derailment. In the top photo, you can see the Bruckman Coal building at 203 Good Avenue. The remaining three images show the accident scene. It took several hours to clean up. Passengers from the rear cars were moved to the front twelve cars and went on to St. Louis. The Pennsylvania Line is no longer in operation, but the city of Indianapolis has plans for a bike trail to replace it sometime in 2013 or 2014. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Source: "4 of 16 Pennsy Passenger Cars Leaves Tracks in City; None Hurt," Indianapolis Star, June 2, 1960, 4.

Bruckman Ice & Coal Company--203 Good Avenue

Bruckman Ice & Coal Company served the east side of Indianapolis for 35 years. Housed at 203 Good Avenue, John D. Bruckman, Sr. bought an existing coal delivery company from the Coons Family in 1928 and operated on the site until 1963. Strategically situated along the Pennsylvania Railroad, Mr. Bruckman paid $100 for a spur so that the coal and ice could be delivered and the empty containers picked up via rail.

It was a family business as Mrs. Bruckman kept the books in the office and one son, John R. Bruckman, Jr. took over the business and added oil as part of the delivery service. Most homes in Irvington were fired by coal so business remained steady until many residents started to install natural gas furnaces.

The top photo shows Edward Leak, John D. Bruckman, Sr., and John R. Bruckman, Jr. taken around 1950. Mr. Leak was the only non-family member to receive a salary from the company. The contemporary photos show the site in 2011. The historic image is courtesy of Don Rouse.

The Bruckman Sisters Go For A Drive--1942

In this wonderful photo, Christine and Joan Bruckman pose next to their brother's car. George Bruckman was serving in the navy at the time as World War II had begun. The sisters are decked out in their traveling coats and hats and are deliberately standing in front of the fender of the car. Apparently, they had a slight mishap and scratched George's beautiful automobile. They confessed to this minor accident to their brother nearly sixty years later!

Behind the young ladies you will note 136-138 (a double) and 132 South Hawthorne Lane. Russell Whiteman, an engineer, and his wife Beatrice lived on one side of the duplex in 1942 while Carl Fenley, a machine operator, and his wife Esther lived on the other side. John and Beatrice Risch lived in the Dutch Colonial Revival home at 132 South Hawthorne. He was a florist.

The contemporary photo, taken in 2011, reveals that the homes have been slightly altered since 1942, but retain many of the features known to the Bruckmans, who lived across the street. You may read more about the Bruckmans by clicking on the link below. The historic image and Bruckman Family lore are courtesy of Don Rouse.

The Big House and the Little House: A Tale of Two Families

Hawthorne Lane used to be called Dillon Avenue. In 1892, Cora Huber purchased a lot from Harry Milligan along the Pennsylvania Railroad on Dillon. The home was likely completed in December of that year. Cora worked as a seamstress at the Indianapolis Shirt Factory and invited her parents to go in on the nine room home with her. Within two years, John Huber passed away in the new home leaving his wife, Mary and daughter, Cora as the primary bread winners for the family. Mr. Huber had been well known in Irvington as he served as the town marshall for several terms. After his death, the women pulled themselves together and set up housekeeping of what would become 145 South Hawthorne Lane. By 1899, all of the Huber children had grown up and moved away.

Around 1899, it was decided that Mary needed a smaller dwelling so the family purchased the lot to the north of the home and built the "small" house at 141 South Hawthorne Lane. The Hubers rented the "large" house for years to Butler students. Mary also kept boarders in her own small cottage as well. Eventually, each room in the house had a door leading outside so that Butler students could come and go without disturbing anyone. One resident of the home, Julia Florence Huber Van Cleave, the granddaughter of John and Mary Huber, remembered that as a child they waited for the lamplighter to come around each night to light the street lights. She and other children would gather the discarded wicks and use them to draw hopscotch squares on the sidewalk.

The Bruckmans, who were related to the Hubers, acquired 141 South Hawthorne Lane in 1926. Surprisingly, the house had no indoor plumbing and only a Franklin Stove for central heating. Needless to say, the Bruckmans had their work cut out for them as they also dug out a basement. The home used to have a large barn in the rear of the yard but it burned in 1927.

The Bruckmans became a fixture in the neighborhood and dwelled in the home for decades. 145 passed to other families including the Twymans, who the Indianapolis Star featured because of their lush Victory Garden planted during World War II.

Two houses side by side with a story that could have been forgotten or lost to the ages, but thankfully has been brought to our attention by Don Rouse. His great aunt, Charlotte Huber Timmerman, compiled much of this information for a family history project she completed in 1979.

About the photos:

The top photo shows the big house (145 S. Hawthorne Lane) and little house (141 South Hawthorne Lane) in 2011. You will note that 145 has been restored.

The second photo shows the small house (141 South Hawthorne Lane) in 1951. Note the fish scale shingles in the upper gable! Pictured in this image: (left to right) John R. Bruckman, Mildred Bruckman, Joan Bennett, Gene Bennett, John D. Bruckman, Christine Bruckman, Virginia Bruckman, and George R. Bruckman

The third photo shows John and Mary Huber. Mr. Huber passed away in 1894 leaving Mary a widow and fending for herself. She moved into 145 South Hawthorne Lane first and then into 141.

The bottom photo is a photograph of John Huber's town marshall badge.

These historic images are courtesy of Don Rouse. More on the Bruckmans will be forthcoming.

Bruckmann Farm--1893

Many people in the neighborhood know of the Ellenberger Family, who farmed north of Irvington, but how many know of the Bruckmanns who farmed just to the east of the Ellenbergers at the northwest corner of East 10th and Arlington? Their land stretched all of the way to East 16th Street.

The Bruckmanns traveled from Darmstadt, Germany and lived in both Ohio and Illinois before moving to the 10th and Arlington area in the mid-1860s. They lived in a log cabin and eventually built this fine home for their twelve children. (nine lived to adulthood) The dwelling remained in the family until the 1950s when they sold it to Mr Guidone. The house was demolished and developers put in a commercial area. Some of the farm remains undeveloped in 2011.

This remarkable photo shows the Bruckmann Family in 1893. The younger generation dropped the second "n" from the name. Only three married and had children. Some of those descendants lived in and operated businesses in the Irvington area. Notice the lushness of the front yard. The matriarch of the family, Elizabeth Rush Bruckmann, a Virginian, whose parents immigrated from Prussia, maintained a beautiful garden.

Featured in this photo are: (Standing from left to right) John Buckmann, Jr., Barbara Huber Bruckmann, Phil Bruckmann (also known as Shorty), Leana Bruckmann, Carey Bruckman (sadly, she died three weeks after this photo), Joseph Bruckmann, Kate Bruckmann, William Bruckmann, and Mary Bruckmann

(Seated from left to right) George Washington Bruckman holding Albert Bruckman, Bessie Helen Bruckman, John Daniel Bruckman, John Bruckmann, Sr., Elizabeth Rush Bruckmann

Today, it is difficult to imagine this beautiful Eden as this area along East 10th Street is now filled with concrete block commercial buildings and asphalt, but at one time it must have been one of the loveliest places to ride by on a leisurely outing either in a carriage or Model T. I am indebted to Don Rouse for the stories and this amazing photo.