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. 

Christian Park Heights Developer Resumed Construction as Great Depression Ebbed

      Developers first began construction for housing in the Christian Park Heights subdivision on the former Moore-Christian farm in 1924.  After the stock market crash of 1929 development in the area ceased.  The huge venture encompassed several blocks. Boundaries for the subdivision included the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to the north,  English Avenue on the south, Worcester Avenue on the east, and Denny Street on the west. Other streets included Young, Farrington, Stratford, Bosart, Drexel, Gladstone, and Grant Avenues, along with Chester Street, and Brookville Road. The crown jewel of the neighborhood was the beautiful Margaret Christian Park. Eventually, the city added IPS #82 at the corner of Worcester and English Avenues to accommodate all of the new families who had moved into the area. 

Grinslade Co. constructed several homes along Young Avenue in late 1941. This view shows the 4600 block in the winter of 1942. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Faustina and Art Dudley stood in their backyard at 4605 Young Avenue in 1942. The photographer is facing west. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

A Baist map shows the Christian Park Heights subdivision to the city of Indianapolis. Construction halted during the Great Depression and resumed in the early 1940s. (IUPUI Digital Collections)

     In the early 1940s, the Grinslade Company began construction on smaller two and three-bedroom homes in Christian Park Heights. Buyers had about five options for floor plans. In 1941, two-bedroom homes cost $3500 and three bedrooms started at $4400. The new construction represented the future of housing developments in its conformity, mass production, and speculation. Those who could afford a house in Christian Park Heights had an opportunity to obtain the American dream. Although there appeared to be no racist covenants in the charter, the first residents of the community were overwhelmingly white. A previous Grinslade development, Millerdale, just east of Christian Park Heights did have a racist covenant. Diversity among the population would not come until much later. 

     In the winter of 1942, the Grinslade Company placed ads in the local newspapers announcing the newest homes available for purchase. One of those residences included a modest two-bedroom house complete with a living room, dinette (smaller than a dining room), kitchen, bathroom, basement, and a one-car garage at 4613 Young Avenue. None of the houses had front porches, but some had covered stoops. All of the houses, including 4613, had been whitewashed. Some had shutters. John H. and Helen Huggler toured the house shortly after it was advertised and placed an offer. They moved into the pretty bungalow in March of 1942 with their young son, Ron. 

The Huggler home at 4613 Young Avenue in 1942. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

An ad for 4613 Young Avenue appeared in the Indianapolis Star, January 25, 1942. 

John and Helen Huggler lived the rest of their lives at 4613 Young Avenue. They posed for this photograph on Christmas Day c1950. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

John and Helen Huggler in their home at 4613 Young Avenue, Christmas Day, c1950. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Linda and Bethany Teeguarden posed with Ron Huggler along the front walk of the Huggler home at 4613 Young Avenue. The Teeguardens resided at 4621 Young Avenue c1942. Behind the kids, you can see 4610, 4614, and 4618 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

     The Hugglers had been renting since their marriage. Like most new residents, they took out a mortgage in order to be able to pay for the house. Their son Ron reports that at first they were worried about the monthly mortgage payment at $19.46. Mr. Huggler earned a living first as a truck driver and later as an employee of what would become US Naval Avionics on North Arlington Avenue and East 21st Street. Mrs. Huggler, a talented musician, stayed at home and raised their son. The family inherited a 1929 Hupmobile, which they used for years as the family car. 

John Huggler stood next to the front door of his home in the living room of 4613 Young Avenue in 1943. The Hugglers later painted the woodwork and removed the wallpaper. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Patrick, the beloved family pet, posed in front of Helen Huggler c1950 in the living room at 4613 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

Cathy Dudley of 4605 Young Avenue posed for a photo with Ron Huggler along the entry sidewalk at 4613 Young Avenue in 1942. Behind the kids you can see 4622, 4626, 4630, and 4634 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Ron Huggler (left) played Monopoly with his buddies Wayne Bruness and Dale May in the living room at 4613 Young Avenue c1953. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Ron Huggler placed a pole in the ground for a badminton tournament in his front yard at 4613 Young Avenue along with his friends, Alan Miller and Wayne Bruness c1951. Behind the boys you can see 4614 and 4618 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

John Huggler proudly posed with his son, Ron, who was preparing to leave for basic training for the National Guard, in the front yard of 4613 Young Avenue in 1963.  (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

Helen Huggler, a devoted Mom, posed next to her son, Ron Huggler in the front yard of 4613 Young Avenue in 1963 for the same occasion as in the photo above. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler)

In late 1942, John Huggler inherited a 1929 Hupmobile from his Aunt Dessie Ault. The huge automobile became the Huggler family car for years. In this photo, snapped in 1950 on a road trip to Florida, Ron and Helen Huggler posed next to the car at a roadside motor court in Georgia. The car had window blinds and a foot rest in the backseat. (photo courtesy of Ron Huggler) 

    For young "Ronnie" Huggler, the new neighborhood seemed like paradise as there were many young families with children living in most of the houses. 

Next:  Neighbors Along Young Avenue

     This post would not have been possible without Ron Huggler, the historian for Christian Park Heights. He has been documenting the history of the area for years. Every neighborhood needs someone like him! 

Sources: Interviews with Ron Huggler, January 23 and 26, 2023; McCords-Dirks Mortgage Company document, 1942, courtesy of Ron Huggler; "Christian Park Heights 'Where the Boulevards Meet," Indianapolis News, May 17, 1924, 36: Abstract for Lot 41 in Millerdale Addition courtesy of Mike Widner. 

A Gathering in Christian Park c1930

Located in southwestern Irvington, Christian Park has been an important recreational site for the neighborhood since 1921. The land belonged to the Christian family for many years. The Christians lived north of the site on Brookville Road in a beautiful nineteenth-century brick residence. Eventually, Wilmer and Edna Christian donated the land to the city for a park.

Sometime either in the summer of 1930 or 1931, the Stewart family gathered in Christian Park at 4200 English Avenue for a photograph. Harry and Margaret Stewart lived across the street at 3939 English Avenue. Mr. Stewart was a veteran of World War One and worked as a railroader. Mrs. Stewart stayed home and raised the couple's three children, Martha, Hazel, and Harry (Bud) Jr.

The Stewart family c1930 in Christian Park: (Left to Right) Margaret, Martha, Hazel, Harry Jr., and Harry Sr. 

Christian Park at sunset on February 21, 2017 (photo: William Gulde)

The Christian family, for whom the park is named, dwelled in this lovely home along Brookville Road for many decades in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. 

The historic photo is courtesy of Kenn Reinhardt.  

Irving Circle--1915

Irma Vollrath and a friend stopped briefly from playing to pose for this photo taken in the Irving Circle Park around 1915.  Behind the girls, you can see the following homes along South Audubon Road:  237-39, 245-47, 251, and in the distance the double that sits on the southeast corner of University and Audubon Road.

Dr. Walter Kelly built 237-39 in 1915.  His home is barely visible in the photo, but you can see the porch and dark stained cedar shingles.  Next to it, you can see the American Four Square double at 245-47 South Audubon Road.  The Kaylor family lived on one side and the Campbells on the other.  The beautiful Arts and Crafts era home at 251 housed the Betram Day family from 1908 till about 1915.  Demarchus Brown, the State Librarian, and his wife Jesse Christian Brown lived in the home from 1915 and into the 1920s.  Mr. Brown was the brother of Hilton U. Brown, while Mrs. Brown came from the Christian family, for whom Christian Park is named.  She became renown around the state for her travels.  Mrs. Brown loved to visit exotic locations and then come back and give a report of her findings to clubs and women's groups around the state.  When she died, small town newspapers across the state carried her obituary.

The historic image is courtesy of Dr. Victor Vollrath while the newer photo shows 245-47 and 251 South Audubon Road on May 18, 2012.