The Teeguardens Moved Into Newly-Built Home in Christian Park

Teeguarden family at 4621 Young Avenue: Joseph and Miriam (top) along with Bethanyanne and Linda, June, 1945 (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

 

     In January of 1942 both the Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis News advertised that a newly-built home at 4621 Young Avenue in the recently-developed Christian Park Heights neighborhood was on the market for $4400. Beginning in 1941, the Grinslade Company built dozens of two and three-bedroom homes in the Christian Park neighborhood just west of Irvington. They had already sold 45 homes by the time they completed their newest property at 4621 Young Avenue. 

     Joseph R. and Miriam Teeguarden had been renting homes on Keystone and Kealing Avenues since their marriage in 1935. Mr. Teeguarden worked as a pressman for the Indianapolis News when the ad appeared.  The couple had been saving their money thanks in large part to Miriam Teeguarden, who was very adept at managing money with few resources. Shortly after the ad appeared, the Teeguardens along with their daughters, Bethanyanne and Linda, moved into the cottage in 1942.

     The Teeguardens represented the typical family who moved into the new addition as they were young and had children. In fact, there were so many young residents in the neighborhood that school officials struggled to accommodate the influx at nearby Christian Park Elementary School. (School #82) 

     As the United States joined the fight during World War II, Mr. Teeguarden worked stateside for the Lukas Harold Company manufacturing the Norden Bombsight. Once the war ended, he resumed his employment with the local newspapers. He was an avid tennis player and belonged to several organizations like the Jaycees. Mrs. Teeguarden stayed home and raised their two daughters. Her grandson notes that she kept a beautiful house and garden. Sometime in 1945 the couple painted their white house gray. Newspaper accounts indicate that Mrs. Teeguarden was highly involved with the Central Christian Church north of downtown Indianapolis. The couple also attended many plays and discussions at the Civic Theater. 

     The Teeguardens placed their home on the market in the fall of 1948 for $9400. They sold their home to another young family, the Tolers, and moved to the north side of the city. Photos from the Teeguarden family scrapbook show typical domestic scenes from the era. 

Indianapolis Star, January 25, 1942, p. 28

Bethanyanne, Joseph, and Linda Teeguarden at 4621 Young Avenue, September, 1943 (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Linda and Bethanyanne Teeguarden, Christmas, 1943 at 4621 Young Avenue (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson) 

Linda and Bethanyanne Teeguarden posed in front of their home at 4621 Young Avenue in February of 1944. In the following year, the family painted the house gray. (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Miriam Giddens Teeguarden (1917-1967) posed inside of her home at 4621 Young Avenue in 1944. Note the incredible radio next to her. (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson) 

Linda and Bethanyanne Teeguarden posed in their home at 4621 Young Avenue in 1944. (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Linda and Bethanyanne Teeguarden on their front stoop at 4621 Young Avenue in 1944 (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Easter portrait of Linda and Bethanyanne Teeguarden at 4621 Young Avenue in 1944 (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

The Teeguarden sisters posed next to 4621 Young Avenue on their first day of school in 1945. (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

The Teeguarden family sat for this portrait in the living room at their home of 4621 Young Avenue in 1945. Pictured: Miriam, Linda, Bethanyanne, and Joseph Teeguarden (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Miriam Teeguarden posed with her daughter, Linda, along the front walk leading to their house at 4621 Young Avenue. Behind the women, you can see 4617 and 4613 Young Avenue. (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson) 

Linda and Bethanyanne Teeguarden in front of 4621 Young Avenue in 1947 (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Bethanyanne Teeguarden on her front yard at 4621 Young Avenue in 1948 (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

Linda Teeguarden posed in front of her home at 4621 Young Avenue in the summer of 1948. If you look closely, you can see neighbors on their front stoop next door at 4625 Young Avenue. Vassel and Maxine Flinn lived in that home. (photo courtesy of Dan Carlson)

     I wish to thank Dan Carlson, the grandson of Joseph and Miriam Teeguarden and the son of Linda Teeguarden, for his stories and photographs. 

Sources:  Emails from Dan Carlson, 2025; Indianapolis City Directories 1940-1950; For Sale Ad--Indianapolis Star, November 4, 1948. p. 35; Patrons of Civic Theater--Indianapolis Star, March 8, 1946, p. 6; Obituary Miriam Teeguarden--"Mrs. Teeguarden Dies; Funeral to be Today," Indianapolis Star, January 12, 1967, p. 50. 

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. 

Dispatch from the Ruhsenberger Family--1937

Ann Hart Stewart was one of the first contributors to this blog. Her grandparents, Charles and Hattie Ruhsenberger, resided at 5930 East Washington Street. Other relatives lived nearby on Burgess Avenue. Ann's photos and stories have chronicled life near the corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. She contributed a fun story about a famous cat, who lived across street.  You may read more about her family by clicking the "Ruhsenberger" or "Stokesberry" links below. Recently, she found another historic photo of her family members snapped in 1937.

The Ruhsenbergers occasionally took breakfast picnics. Mr. and Mrs. Ruhsenberger had three children, Roger, Henrietta, and Patricia. Sometimes, the families would get up early and drive to Christian Park to enjoy the beauty of nature and each other's company.  They had to reserve a grill ahead of time for cooking. Not everyone loved the experience. A very young Ann Hart noted that she was not so keen to be up so early and away from the warmth of her kitchen at 5930 East Washington Street. The Ruhsenbergers are all now gone from Irvington and even their family home was demolished in 1957. Thankfully, folks like Ann Hart Stewart help us to remember.

Ruhsenberger Family Picnic at Christian Park in 1937: Pictured (top left to right) MaeClaire "Tottie" Whidden Ruhsenberger (1911-1981), Lt. jg. J. Roger Ruhsenberger (1900-1993), Charles  A. Ruhsenberger (1869-1959), Hattie Jones Ruhsenberger (1872-1973), Henrietta Ruhsenberger Hart (1896-1969),  Paul J. Hart (1899-1989) Bottom rows: Roger Henry Ruhsenberger (1932-2004), Ann Hart Stewart, Patricia Patricia Ruhsenberger Dillard (1910-1954) The photo was snapped by Larry J. Dillard (1930-1993)

The Ruhsenbergers resided in a beautiful Dutch Colonial Revival home at 5930 East Washington Street. The grand home was built in 1906. It was later demolished for a filling station on the northwest corner of East Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. 

Photos and stories for this post are courtesy of Ann Hart Stewart.

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.