Photos Emerge of an Early House in Irvington

     While we still have much to learn, the Irvington Historical Society recently acquired two fascinating historic photographs that show the evolution and changes in the residence located at 116 South Audubon Road. A friend of the Society alerted a board member that the photos were on Ebay. We leapt into action and thankfully acquired the images. Here is what we know so far...

    The Reverend James Monroe Crawford and his wife Clarissa or Clara Golay Crawford employed an unknown architect and contractor to erect a two-story Second-Empire home with a tower along Central Avenue (later Audubon Road) in 1872. Like many men of his age, Mr. Crawford had side jobs including as a realtor and businessman. The couple had eight children although it appears that only five lived into adulthood.  Reverend Crawford, served as a chaplain during the Civil War, and later was the minister for the Sixth Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Like many of the early residents of the neighborhood, the Crawfords struggled financially after the economic Panic of 1873. Newspaper articles in the 1870s revealed their struggle including a bankruptcy in 1878. They moved out of Irvington in 1879 and into the Fletcher Place neighborhood before moving to Ohio and then California. 

      The 1880s are still a bit murky for us at the moment, but we do know that entrepreneur, Robert E. Moore and his wife Jessie Ann Harvey Moore, purchased the home in 1890. Mr. Moore constructed Moore's Hall next door in 1892 on the northwest corner of South Audubon Road and Bonna Avenue. At three stories, it was one of the tallest buildings in Irvington and housed businesses, offices, a lodge, and at least one Butler University fraternity. The Moores had six children and were very involved in the neighborhood. Mrs. Moore hosted numerous clubs, most of which were affiliated with Downey Avenue Christian Church. For reasons yet unknown, the couple decided to completely remodel the home around 1906. So far, we have found no evidence of a fire so perhaps they just wanted a more modern look. Maybe they needed more room. We do not know, but the transformation was a shocking one. The Moores changed the mansard roof in favor of a hipped one. They removed part of the tower and added dormers. They extended a front porch but kept a lower bay window. They also preserved the original nineteenth-century interior staircase. It was an astounding makeover. In fact, we had no idea until we saw these photographs that any of the original nineteenth-century house even remained, but it does! 

    After Mr. Moore's death in 1919, Mrs. Moore and her youngest son moved in with other family members in Irvington. Eventually the home was sold and was extensively remodeled for a third time. This time the historic home was converted into several apartments in 1924. Moore's Hall, located at Audubon Road and Bonna Avenue was razed by 1938. 

      We do not know why these two important images ended up in Michigan and eventually on Ebay, but we are happy that these important artifacts have come home. 

The Moore family purchased 116 South Audubon Road in 1890. On the back of the photo, someone has written, "the Robert Moore home before the remodeling." If the woman on the front porch is Mrs. Moore, then the young child would likely be Robert or Richard. That would date the photo somewhere between 1893 to 1897. If the boy is her youngest son, Joseph, then the photo would date to 1902. It is entirely possible that it is not Mrs. Moore on the front porch. Steve Barnett, the director of the Irvington Historical speculates that the photo could predate the Moore family. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society)

Robert and Jessie Moore dramatically changed the residence located at 116 South Audubon Road sometime around 1905. The boys in the photograph are most likely Richard and Joseph Moore. On the back of the photo, someone has written, "The Robert Moore home after the remodeling." Reed's Photographic Services on Alabama Street in Indianapolis was also stamped on the back. Steve Barnett, the director of the Irvington Historical Society, discovered that Reed's was in operation from 1904 until 1910. (photo courtesy of Irvington Historical Society) 

In 1924, the home located at 116 South Audubon Road underwent another significant transformation as it was turned into the "Sinaia" apartments. (photo take on December 21, 2021)

 

The original nineteenth-staircase (1872) still exists in the residence--now apartments--at 116 South Audubon Road. (photo taken on December 21, 2021)

The original family, the Crawfords, walked up and down this curved staircase at 116 South Audubon Road from 1872 until their departure in 1879. (photo taken on December 28, 2021)

The Crawford house appeared in the Real Estate Gazette in 1873 as a promotional for the new town of Irvington. (courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society) 

Robert E. Moore constructed Moore's Hall at 132 South Audubon Road in 1892. The three-story structure was demolished in the late 1930s. (photo courtesy of the Irvington Historical Society)

 I wish to thank Steve Barnett, the director of the Irvington Historical Society for his vast knowledge of all things Irvington. I would also like to thank Joan Hostetler, Deedee Davis, Jon Oliger, Paula Schmidt, Steve Schmidt, Don Flick, Paul Diebold, and Clay Daugherty.

Irvington Historical Society

Sources: Crawford family--financial issues--Indiana State Sentinel, July 29, 1875; Indiana State Sentinel,  July 31, 1878; Bankruptcy--Indianapolis News, September 9, 1878, 4; Minister--Indianapolis News,  February 12, 1870, 4; Indianapolis News, April 10, 1879; Indianapolis News,  August 16, 1880. 4; Moore family--"Funeral of Robert E. Moore," Indianapolis News, August 11, 1919, 3; Moore's Hall--"Irvington News," Indianapolis News, August 22, 1892, 2; Mrs. Moore--"The Irvington Woman's Club," Indianapolis News, August 9, 1904, 26; "Modern German Art," Indianapolis Star, February 27, 1910, 5; "New of the Churches," Indianapolis Star, June 28, 1911; "Social Side to Churches," Indianapolis News, February 7, 1917, 5; Apartment conversion--"116 S. Audubon Road," Indianapolis Star, May 20, 1924, 17.

Many Families Have Resided in Arlington Avenue Home

Dozens of Irvington families have dwelled in the American Four Square at 268 South Arlington Avenue since its construction in 1916.  Because it was a rental, families moved in and out of the dwelling.  The Dressendorfer family appeared to be the first to have lived in the house although they only stayed one year. The Barrs and Swifts briefly called the house “home ” as well.  In 1920, Orville and Estella Crawford rented the home. Mr. Crawford was a lumber salesman and had to provide for his growing family.  The Crawfords had four children including a set of twins.  Several other families moved into the house throughout the 1930s. In 1935, Rollie and Myrtle Corey rented the property for $30 a month.  They certainly needed the space because they had ten children! Mr. Corey worked as a milk inspector for the city of Indianapolis. Several of his adult children had jobs by 1940.  The Coreys lived in the house for ten years.  Stability finally arrived when the Jetts moved into the abode in the late 1940s. James H. Jett was a press operator. His wife stayed home and took care of the couple’s five children.  By the 1960s, Mr. Jett worked as a grinder for Chrysler.  The Jetts lived in the house for nearly thirty years.  Homer and Virginia Patterson purchased the place in the early 1970s and remained well into the 1980s.  Some alterations have occurred over the years including the removal of the front door opening and covering the clapboard siding with vinyl siding.  

Katherine, Mary, and Jeannette Corey posed on the family car behind their home at 268 South Arlington Avenue c1940

Rollie and Myrtle Corey had ten children and dwelled at 268 South Arlington Avenue in the 1930s and 40s.

268 South Arlington Avenue in 2014

The historic photos are courtesy of the Corey Family via Ancestry.com.  

A Birthday Party--1923

Nine-year old Thomas Ferling proudly stands next to his friends on the occasion of his birthday party on September 2, 1923. The Ferlings dwelled at 311 North Bosart Avenue although you can really see the charming bungalow at 315 N. Bosart Avenue behind the kids better than the Ferling home. Notice how dressed up the children are and some of them appear to be holding gifts or toys. Many of the children in the photo lived in nearby homes.

Pictured from left to right are: Mary Margaret Flarey, Oscar Bosart, Jim Crawford, Jane Bosart, Constance Bailey, Robert Ferling, Charles Miller, Josephine Geis, and Thomas Ferling. Both houses are still standing although the lovely bungalow pictured has been greatly altered since 1923. The historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.