Exciting News--Vinyl Siding Removed From Lowell Avenue Home

The northeast corner of Lowell and Ritter Avenues will soon look dramatically different as workers are busy removing the vinyl siding from 5502 Lowell Avenue.  Each generation of homeowners in the US seem to think that they have the solution for a permanent siding that will last for decades. In the 1930s and 40s, some Irvingtonians sheathed their homes in Insulbrick (an imitation brick composed of tar) or asbestos tiles.  The next generation fell in love with aluminum siding.  By the 1980s, the vinyl siding phase swept the state of Indiana.  With dreams of never having to paint, well-meaning homeowners removed key architectural features along rooflines, at the corners, and around window and door openings.  They too thought that plastic siding would last forever; however, it does not.

One of the joys that I have noticed after having lived in this neighborhood for several years is that some folks are removing those unsympathetic materials and restoring the clapboard siding covered for decades.  It is a brave act as one never knows what is looming underneath.  In the case of 5502 Lowell Avenue, the siding appears to be in fine condition although some restoration will be required.  Kudos to these homeowners as they are role models for all of us.

The contemporary photos show the home in 2014 while the historic photo, taken c1938, shows the house behind the children.  The Lowish family moved into this dwelling in 1909.  Martin Lowish ran a coal company in Brazil, Indiana.  He and his wife Emma lived in the home well into the 1920s. They do not appear to have had children.  Perhaps the current residents will find the original paint chips on the siding dating to the Lowish era. Stay tuned as we focus on this wonderful restoration!

5502 Lowell Avenue in September of 2014

5502 Lowell Avenue in September of 2014

Behind the Danner Family, you can see 5502 Lowell Avenue and houses along North Ritter Avenue c1938

The historic photo is courtesy of the Danner family.  

John and Doris Danner--1949

These photos capture the early courtship of John and Doris Danner. John grew up at 72 North Ritter Avenue while Doris grew up south of Irvington. After their marriage, they decided to stay in the neighborhood and lived for many years in the Danner Home before moving to University Avenue.

The top photo shows the couple standing in the backyard of 72 North Ritter Avenue. Only the garage of that property is visible, but the rear of 76 and 80-82 North Ritter Avenue (a double) can be seen in the image.

In the bottom photo, the Danners stand along the street in front of 72 North Ritter and next to a hulk of a car. The wonderful Victorian/Queen Anne porch still remained at 76 North Ritter and it looks like Elizabeth M. Marquette, a widow and resident of 76, has placed stones around her property. The double beyond 76 North Ritter at 80-82 N. Ritter was occupied by Charles E. and Cleo K. Hunter on one side and Vernon and Leta H. Nagle on the other side in 1949. These images are courtesy of the Danner Family.

John Danner in 1938 along Ritter Avenue

Young John Danner poses in front of his childhood home at 72 North Ritter Avenue in 1938. The federal agency known as the Works Progress Administration had already widened the street and removed the green space in between the sidewalk and the road. Behind him and across the street, you can see 75-77 N. Ritter Avenue. This small double was constructed sometime in the mid-1920s and replaced a single family home. This image is courtesy of the Danner Family.

Nellie Danner and son John

Nellie Danner poses with her son John in the backyard of their home at 72 North Ritter Avenue. The photo was likely taken around 1936. The Danners had a Five and Dime Store in Irvington and in many other small towns throughout Indiana. This image is courtesy of the Danner Family.

Danner children--1932

Elaine, Louis, and John Danner gather in the backyard of their home at 72 North Ritter Avenue in 1932. Their parents were Guy and Nellie Danner. You can see the rear of the homes along both Ritter and Lowell Avenues. This image is courtesy of the Danner Family.

School #57--Grade 8 in 1942

This wonderful school photo needs your attention. We are trying to identify as many people as possible so take a good look and see if you recognize anyone. The photo is an eighth grade graduation picture of the class of 1942 from School #57. John Danner is the only student identified and he is standing at the far left in the middle row. If you know any of the remaining students then drop me an e-mail at sleeth28@rock.com or comment on this page. Enjoy! This image is courtesy of the Danner family.

Danner Family--72 N. Ritter Ave

The Danner family operated a series of five and dime stores around the state of Indiana in places like Irvington and Rushville. Guy and Nellie Danner lived at 72 North Ritter Avenue in an Arts and Crafts bungalow. In the top photo Elaine, Louis, and John pose in the backyard around 1935. In the bottom photo Nellie Danner stands on her front porch with her children John and Louis in 1936. The wood shake still remains on the house in 2011. These images are courtesy of the Danner Family.

Danner Family

The Danner family ran a chain of "five and dime" stores throughout Indiana. Some of the Danners called Irvington home. In this shot, Danner children gathered in front of their 72 North Ritter Avenue home for a photo taken sometime in the late 1930s. Note that the WPA had already widened Ritter Avenue by this point. The picture also shows several homes along North Ritter and Lowell Avenues. This photo is courtesy of the Danner Family.