Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink Opened in 1961

      On November 19, 1961, excited eastside residents laced up their skates and hopped onto the very first outdoor public skating rink in Indianapolis. Built by the Charles R. Beltz Co. for $91,000, the rink remained uncovered until the late 1980s and closed in 2009. Although there is no longer ice, the building is still used today for inline hockey, lacrosse, and other groups. 

     In 1961, children paid an entrance fee of 25 cents while folks older than 17 had to fork out 50 cents. Skaters could use the warming house or shop at the concession stand. The park rented skates for 50 cents. Those who needed their skates sharpened could pay one dollar. Park officials warned that temperatures had to be in the low 50s for their chilling machine to work. 

     In the winter of 1964, Mary Dillon (later Sangsland), who lived at 5821 Julian Avenue and her friend, Cornelia Preuss, made their way north to Ellenberger Park. A member of the Dillon family snapped a few photos of the girls as they enjoyed their time on the rink. It was a sunny day although snow could be seen on the ground. It looks like it was a great afternoon to be outside and enjoying the park. The Irvington Historical Society possesses very few images of the skating rink so let us know if you have any that you could share! 

Mary Dillon (clad with a scarf) and her friend Cornelia Preuss posed for a photograph at the Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink in the winter of 1964. (photo courtesy of Mary Sangsland)

Skaters enjoyed the Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink in the winter of 1964. (photo courtesy of Mary Sangsland) 

     I wish to thank Mary Sangsland for the use of her photographs and for her stories of growing up on Julian Avenue. 

Sources:  Steven Barnett, "On Thin Ice," Weekly View, December 22, 2016, p. 1; "Ellenberger Rink To  Open," Indianapolis News, November 16, 1961, p. 30; "Public Ice Skating Rink to Open Thanksgiving Day," Indianapolis Star, November 21, 1962, p. 29; "Ellenberger Ice Skating Rink an Indoor Facility After Major Facelift Last Year," Indianapolis Star, February 3, 1989, p. D-7; Jason Thomas, "Eastside Skaters Urged To Go South," Indianapolis Star, August 9, 2009, p. T-3.

Ellenberger Park--1944

      In January of 1944, Janice and John W. Kern, along with an unidentified family member, walked in Ellenberger Park. Pockets of snow can still be seen on the ground. Both ladies posed next to the pedestrian bridge that spanned Pleasant Run at the time. Mr. Kern's snapshot revealed homes in the 5300 block of East St. Clair Street. 

Janice Wayman Kern posed near the pedestrian bridge at Ellenberger Park, January, 1944.

An unidentified Wayman sister posed near the pedestrian bridge at Ellenberger Park, January, 1944.

John Wilbur Kern posed with a dog in Ellenberger Park, January, 1944. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5302, 5308, 5312, and 5316 East St. Clair Street.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page. 

A Veteran in Ellenberger Park

      I do not know the name of the young man in this photo. Who is he? On the back of the photo, someone has written "January, 1944" so I know exactly when it was snapped. I also recognize the homes behind the young veteran as the 5300 block of East St. Clair Street. Is he coming or going off to war? Perhaps he is on leave. The dog is also not identified, but on the rear of the image someone has jokingly referred to the beautiful pet as a stray. I found this photo in a box of snapshots in an antique mall in Indianapolis. If you recognize the young man or perhaps his line of service, then drop me an e-mail or make a comment below this post. 

Mystery Solved! The veteran in the photo has now been identified as John Wilbur Kern of 5128 East Washington Street, Apartment #1. 

John Wilbur Kern posed with a dog in Ellenberger Park, January, 1944. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5302, 5308, 5312, and 5316 East St. Clair Street.

Handwriting on the rear of the photograph.

Beautiful Images of Snow-Covered Irvington in the 1950s and 1960s

North Audubon Road, sometimes referred to as "Lovers' Lane," is a perfect setting for local photographers who want to capture the beauty of winter in Indiana. Members of the Richardson family, who moved into 477 North Audubon just after World War II, grabbed their cameras to document several serene and fun moments over the years along their wintry street.

The Richardsons first moved into 477 North Audubon Road in 1947. Their beautiful Arts and Crafts-era home looked perfect in this wintry scene snapped c1950. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

The intersection of East Michigan Street and North Audubon c1950: The photographer, a member of the Richardson family, stood on Audubon Road and aimed the camera towards the north. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

Off in the distance, young sledders made their way down the hill at Ellenberger Park c1952 (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

An unidentified home perhaps along North Audubon Road or Pleasant Run Parkway c1950 (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

Believe it or not, there is a street under that snow. Branches drooped over the 400 block of North Audubon Road c 1950. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

George and Edythe Richardson lived at 477 North Audubon for most of the second half of the twentieth century. They loved to decorate their beautiful spruce tree in the front yard at Christmas. This image was likely snapped c1965. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

George Richardson of 477 North Audubon Road attempted to dig out his car from the deep snows dropped during the blizzard of 1978. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

A special thanks to Donn and Carolyn Richardson for making this post possible. 

Birthday Party in Ellenberger Park in 1954

Ellenberger Park served as the perfect spot for local families to host reunions, receptions celebrations, and birthday parties.  When Steve Koepper turned ten years old on April 11, 1954, he invited his Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School friends to Ellenberger Park to celebrate.  Mr. Koepper, the son of Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper, grew up in a bungalow located at 5263 East Tenth Street.  Ellenberger Park became an important place for the young man as he took swimming lessons from the Red Cross in the park's pool in 1951.  He would later join the Ellenberger Park Swim Team under Coach Dave Hines.  You may see a photo of the 1960 swim team by clicking on the "Ellenberger Park" link below.

Birthday Party Gathering:  Steve Koepper and his Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School friends posed for this photograph in the spring of 1954 in Ellenberger Park.  Left to right:  Steven Deal, Fred Von Spreckelsen, Jeff Boerger, Steve Koepper, Lanny Simpson, Irvin Coffer, Danny Edwards, Ron Yeskie, Bill Hoff, and Tom Holtman

All of the young men in the photo above attended the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School at 26 North Arsenal Avenue. They were the last class to graduate from this building in 1958 before the institution moved to its current location at 8540 East 16th Street.  Many of the students who attended this school had German heritage.  (photo: Damien Center) 

The historic image and information for this post are courtesy of Steve Koepper.  

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

Ellenberger Woods--1913/2013

The city of Indianapolis purchased several acres of woods from John Ellenberger for a city park in 1910.  The neighbors loved the forest and had been using it for years.  When it came time to pay for the site in the form of an assessment, some neighbors fell out of love and vociferously protested; however, the naysayers did not hold the day and Ellenberger Park remains a valuable green space in the twenty-first century.

Shortly after the purchase of the woods, the city hired landscape architect, George Kessler, to develop a boulevard system throughout Marion County.  One leg of his design included Pleasant Run Parkway.  Kessler envisioned a beautiful drive along the stream and he planned to incorporate the park into his plan.  As this photo demonstrates, Kessler clearcut most of the brush and trees near the stream.  In his vision, the driver or stroller would saunter down a lovely paved road and be able to see the meandering stream nearby.  Nature would be tightly controlled and yet be an integral part of the experience.

Ellenberger Park in 1913

Ellenberger Park in 2013

Path in Ellenberger Park in 2013

By 2013, a new vision had emerged.  Irvingtonians have spent much time replanting native trees, grasses, and flowers along the stream.  Like Kessler, they have strived to control nature by removing invasive species, a never-ending Sisyphean feat.  A special thanks to Bob Alloway for the use of this historic image.  Mr. Alloway has an extensive collection of historic postcards of Indianapolis and Irvington.

Ellenberger Reunion 1914-- Repost With Names!

In 1914, the extended family of the Ellenbergers gathered for a reunion.  They sat for this formal portrait in front of the family farm house on East 10th Street.  (the home is still standing near the northeast corner of East 10th and Ritter Avemue)  The Ellenbergers owned acres of land and made money not only from their farm, but also by selling land for development for nearby Irvington.  The city of Indianapolis purchased nearly 31 acres of woods from the family for a future city park for $21,490 in 1910.

Four years later, the family gathered for this photo.  Thanks to one of our astute readers, we now have the names of several of the people in this photo.  I can only imagine how exciting it would be to stumble upon a photo of a long lost relative while doing genealogical research online!  In the 1970s and 1980s, the Irvington branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library conducted oral history interviews with long-time neighborhood residents.  One of those folks recorded was Thelma Murphy, who descended from the Ellenbergers.  She took the time to list the names of the people in this photo.  Thanks to Bob Alloway, I can now share these names with you.  Some of the people in this photo dwelled in the Irvington area.  I have included the addresses of those folks.

The Ellenberger clan gathered at 5602 East 10th Street for a family reunion in 1914.  See names below.

Front Row:
Lloyd White
Paul Gates
Rolland Dove
Jessie Brisentine

Second Row:

Annie White
Charles Shearer (farmer southside of East 10th Street, east of Emerson Avenue)
Mary Shearer (same as above)
John or Johann Ellenberger, the family patriarch
Eva Tingle
Jack Ellenberger
Ellen Ellenberger
Ellen Dove (219 South Butler Avenue)
Lee Dove (219 South Butler Avenue)

Third Row:

Stella Longest
Stella White Longest
Edith White
Goldie Shearer
Ethel Shearer
Jerry Tingle
Ruth Dove Stevenson

Fourth Row and Back Rows:

Annie Brisentine
John Brisentine
Flora Johnson
Doris Evoy
Goldie White Apple
Laura White
Bess Johnson
Addie Springer (southside of East 10th Street, just east of Arlington Avenue)
Bertha Wagner Irwin
Joseph Irwin
Bertha Brisentine
Cora Wagner Gates
Ed White
Flora Wagner Perkins
--- Ellenberger
Wife of Charles Ellenberger
Charles Ellenberger
---Moorhead
---Moorhead
---Moorhead

   You may read the transcripts from these interviews or listen to the actual recordings by visiting the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library homepage.  Miss Murphy's interview is linked here courtesy of Bob Alloway.

http://digitallibrary.imcpl.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/ioh/id/35/rec/1

Irvington Landmark: Hilton's Tree

He has been gone for 95 years, but the beautiful oak tree commemorating the life of Hilton U. Brown, Jr. towers above the intersection of East Washington Street and Emerson Avenue.  Young Hilton was the son of prominent newspaper publisher, Hilton U. Brown and Jennie Hannah Brown.  He grew up in the family mansion at the southwest corner of East Washington Street and Emerson Avenue.  A budding writer and poet, the young man attended Butler University where his father served on the Board of Trustees. When the United States entered World War One, Hilton served his country first in Mexico and then in France.  Tragically, on November 3, 1918, he was killed in the Argonne, the final battle of the Great War and just eight days before the Armistice.

Hilton U. Brown, Jr in 1917 during his junior year at Butler University

Butler students preparing for World War One in 1918

His devastated family and friends decided that a fitting memorial must be erected.  Hilton U. Brown, Sr.  first tried to raise money for a giant memorial to all World War One veterans in Ellenberger Park.  The two-story structure was to have an auditorium, gymnasium, and game rooms.  Due to the expense, the memorial was never built. Instead, the family donated a plot of land across the street from their home and planted an oak tree in memory of their "sweet son."  In his memoirs, Mr. Brown described young Hilton as a sunny person, who loved life.

A memorial never built in Ellenberger Park--1919

Towering oak tree commemorating the life of WWI veteran, Hilton U. Brown, Jr. in 2013

Brown's Corner Park is one of the smallest parks in Indianapolis.  It is located on the northwest corner of East Washington Street and North Emerson Avenue.  

Tablet and rock honoring Hilton U. Brown, Jr.  He was killed in the final battle of WWI.

Today, the tree and small area of green space are the only interesting features left from the days of the Brown family.  Their manse was destroyed in the mid-twentieth century for a gas station as were homes on three other corners rendering the intersection unsightly and rather ugly by 2013.  A rock and tablet with Hilton's verse is shaded by the towering oak planted by his grieving family all those many decades ago.

Bowman Family of Walnut Street

Deforrest and Marilois Meek Bowman grew up just a block apart in Irvington and settled down in the neighborhood.  They set up housekeeping at 5218 East Walnut Street after marrying in 1936.  Mr. Bowman was a  businessman and a talented athlete who used to exercise in nearby Ellenberger Park.  Mrs. Bowman was an interior designer.  The couple raised their two children, Michael and Susan, in the large duplex on Walnut Street.   The following photos, courtesy of the Bowman family, show the children in the late 1940s and images of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman.

Michael and Susan Bowman posed for this photo around 1949 in their front yard at 5218 East Walnut St.

Beautiful spirea served as a perfect scene for Michael an Susan Bowman around 1948. Their Mom likely took this photo in front of their home at 5218 East Walnut Street. Behind the children, you can see houses just east of the home.  

The Bowman children gather for Christmas around 1950 at 5218 East Walnut Street.  

Deforrest Bowman was a talented athlete who used to workout in Ellenberger Park.  He posed for  this photo with his young son Michael around 1939 on the front porch of 5218 East Walnut Street.

This beautiful photo shows Marilois Meek Bowman on her wedding day on June 13, 1936, at the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  

Michael Bowman boxes with his father at 5218 East Walnut Street in 1940.

5218 East Walnut Street in the autumn of 2012

Homes just east of 5218 East Walnut Street in 2012

Fun in Ellenberger Park--1918

Two Vollrath children enjoy a day in Ellenberger Park sometime in 1918.  They seem to be enjoying the park benches and a watering jug on a warm day.  Victor Vollrath, who is now 95, reports that he used to swim in Pleasant Run stream before there was ever a city pool in the park.  Like children in 2012, sledding down the large hill in the park was also a popular activity in 1920!  The historic images are courtesy of Dr. Victor Vollrath.

Sledding in Ellenberger Park--1925

William Schneider and his daughter, Evelyn, pose for a photo in 1925 towards the bottom of the Ellenberger Park sledding hill. The Schneiders had recently moved into their newly-built home at 327 Poplar Road in the Pleasanton section of Irvington. The family could have easily walked to the park from their house. This historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Ellenberger Park Swim Team--1960

Prior to the purchase of Ellenberger Park in 1910 by the city of Indianapolis, this tract of land was known as Ellenberger Woods by local Irvingtonians. Over the decades, the city added trails, tennis and basketball courts, a skating rink, and a swimming pool. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of east side residents learned to swim in this pool or cool off on a hot summer afternoon. In this photo members of the Ellenberger Park Swim Team pose for a photo after winning the city championship in 1960. Dave Hines served as the swim coach. He also coached basketball at Washington High School. I am especially indebted to Nancy Hoff for not only submitting this photo, but including the names of most of the young people in the picture. They are listed below.

Ellenberger Swim Team – 1960

Standing: Coach Dave Hines

Steve Koepper, Will Lamb, Chuck Kiskaden, John Purvis, Dick Carpenter, Don ?, Linda Walton, Pat Overmeyer, Linda Gibbs, Kathy Griffin, Sharon Mosley

Leaning: Jack Hildebrant, Leda Williamson, Steve Doll, Dave Hollingsworth, Mandy Gelarden, Sarah Long, Margaret Surface, John Marlat, Mary Beth O’Brien, John Potts, Billy Argeropolis, Billy Overmeyer

On Knees: Kathy Williams, Randy Bohall, Phil Bohall, Bill Hoff, Lucy Marlatt, Pam Sparks, Sherene Personett, Nancy Hoff, Mary Murry, Jane Walden, Sandy Cherry

Squatting: Greg Macall, Greg’s friend, Sandy Doll, Mary Murry’s friend, Susie Hines, Sandy Mosley, Sue Cherry, Pete McArthur, Bill Hurrley, Craig?

Sitting: ???, Frank Lemons, ??? Red, Jerry Burk, Steve Hurrley, Cindy Cherry, 1960 Trophy Award, Theresa Hurrley, Diana Don’s sister, Michelle Mosley, ??? Potts, Karen Darling, Danny Potts, Elizabeth Murry, Kandy Doll

Fun in the Park--1924

Martha Scott laughs as a family member takes a photo of her in Ellenberger Park. Perhaps she is smiling because she is also about to take a picture. The Scotts resided nearby on Pleasant Run Parkway. You may learn more about the Scott family by clicking on the link below. This image is courtesy of Martha Scott Baum.

Girls having fun--Pleasant Run Parkway--1922

This wonderful shot shows three friends and others in the background enjoying the day. It looks like the girls are enjoying a day of "dress up." The picture was taken in 1922 on the lawn of 5435 Pleasant Run Parkway East Drive. The southern edge of Ellenberger Park can be seen in the distance. Note the wonderful streetlights along the parkway. This photo is courtesy of Martha Scott Baum.

Ellenberger Park--Winter Scene

This lovely photo shows Ellenberger Park in the winter of 1922 just after a snowstorm. The view is of the southern edge of the park near Pleasant Run Parkway near Ritter Avenue. This image is courtesy of Martha Scott Baum.

Irvington Girl and Dog

Martha Scott poses with her dog "Drug" in 1925. She dwelled at 5435 Pleasant Run Parkway with her parents. Behind her in this photo you can see the parkway as well as a house that used to sit in Ellenberger Park near Ritter Avenue. Local lore has it that the house was moved to Michigan Street and still stands today. I will post a photo of that house later and let you decide if they are one and the same. This photo is courtesy of Martha Scott Baum.

Ellenberger Park

The Ellenberger family dwelled in a large Italianate farmhouse on what is today East 10th Street. The family was one of the wealthier families in Warren Township and they became even richer when they sold several acres to the city for a park in the early twentieth century. Besides a beautiful woods, the property also contained a farmhouse (not the Ellenberger house) and some outbuildings. This photo taken on a beautiful winter day in 1922 shows one of the outbuildings along Pleasant Run Parkway. The house faced Ritter Avenue and was south of the stream.