Car Crashed into Haag's Drugstore in 1961

Haag's Drugstore operated in the Irvington Plaza at 6401 East Washington Street. Besides serving as a pharmacy for the neighborhood since 1955, it provided a popular soda fountain. In the summer of 1961, a local woman driving a beautiful Ford Fairlane accidentally hit the accelerator when she meant to pump the brakes and crashed through the plate glass window. Thankfully, it was nearly closing time around 9:00PM so most of the employees were not in the front of the building. One of those workers was a very young Bill Ferling, who heard the loud crash and ran out to see what had just occurred. He also had the presence of mind to grab his camera to document the damage. In the top photo you can see the soda fountain and in the bottom image you can see the mess left behind from the crash. Mr. Ferling remembers that his boss Ron Leeds grabbed a baseball bat to guard the store after the car was towed out of the building. The driver did not damage the structural integrity of the store so Haag's Drugstore resumed operations within a day or two. 

In 1961, a woman accidentally crashed into Haag's Drugstore at 6401 East Washington Street. (photo courtesy of Bill Ferling)

Employees at Haag's Drugstore at 6401 East Washington Street had to clean up a big mess after a car crashed into the building in the summer of 1961. (photo courtesy of Bill Ferling)

    I wish to thank Bill Ferling who provided the photos and the information for this post. 

Snippets of Life at a Beechwood Avenue Bungalow--1931

The Dickerson Family moved from Oregon to a variety of states before finally settling in Indianapolis.  Jesse Earl Dickerson worked as a fruit and vegetable inspector for the US Department of Agriculture.  Upon first arriving in Indianapolis in 1928, the family rented a small bungalow for $50 a month at 5823 Beechwood Avenue.  Esther Dickerson stayed at home and raised her four children in the house although they only stayed there for about five years before moving on to University Avenue.

In the top two historic images, taken in 1931, the Dickerson children gathered for photos in the backyard.  The boys, Leland and Robert, wore sailor suits.  The girls, Beverly and Vivian, were clad in dresses.

In the bottom photo, Leland Dickerson posed in his cowboy suit next to the family's 1926 Marmon automobile.  Marmons were produced on the westside of Indianapolis.  To see later snapshots of life in this home click on the Ferling link below.

Leland, Robert, Beverly, and Vivian Dickerson in the backyard of 5823 Beechwood Avenue in 1931

Leland and Robert Dickerson in backyard of 5823 Beechwood Avenue in 1931

Cowboy Leland Dickerson next to family Marmon at 5823 Beechwood Avenue in 1931

To see a contemporary image of this bungalow, click on the link below.  The historic images are courtesy of Leland Dickerson.

Christmases of Yore in Irvington--Happy Holidays to All!

Hartsock Family (59 N. Hawthorne Lane) Christmas Tree in 1940

Hunt Family Christmas at 341 S. Audubon Road in 1955

Hunt Family (341 S. Audubon Road) Christmas Scene--1955

Germaine Family Christmas at 307 South Audubon in 1975

Ferling Family Christmas at 5823 Beechwood Avenue in 1956

Christmas Table at 25 North Irvington Avenue in 1961

Nativity Scene in 25 North Irvington Avenue in 1961

These images are courtesy of Brian and Emily Mack, the Hunt Family, the Germaine Family, and the Ferling Family

Taking a Walk--1937

Newly-married Evelyn Schneider Ferling paused in front of the newly-built Fourth Church of Christ Science at 5201 Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive in 1937 for this photo. Mrs. Ferling, who grew up at 327 Poplar Road in the Pleasanton section of Irvington, married Tom Ferling of Bosart Avenue. They first lived in the Mary Elizabeth Apartments along East Washington Street.

Irvington Christian Scientists purchased lots for a church in 1924, but did not construct a building on the site until 1936. Notice that in this photo, taken shortly after the completion of the structure, that there are no tall sycamores shading the lovely corner. Mrs. Ferling was not a member of the church, but the combination of the bench, the new building, and her fashionable coat made it a perfect place for a photograph. This wonderful image is courtesy of her son, Bill Ferling.

Lost Irvington--The Neighborhood Grocery

Prior to the 1950s, most Irvington residents obtained their grocery products from small neighborhood stores within walking distance of their homes. Larger grocery chains like Standard Grocery put many of the smaller shops out of business by the mid-twenieth century although a few remained longer.

In this wonderful photo, neighborhood girlfriends gather along Beechwood Avenue for a photo in 1953. Behind the kids, you can see the former Wuest Grocery Store at 5902 Beechwood Avenue. William J. Wuest, the child of German immigrants, and his wife Anna opened the business in the new building in 1920. The family lived next door at 385 Good Avenue.

By the 1950s, the structure was used as a beauty shop and as an apartment. Sadly, by 2010, it sat derelict and vacant. On the night of April 20, 2010, a teenaged arsonist entered the building and destroyed the historic structure.

Pictured in the top photo taken in 1953 are: Linda Bevis, Debbie St. John, Claudia St. John, Donna Bevis, and Jean Ferling. This image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

The bottom photo, taken in April of 2010, by a WISHTV reporter, shows the structure on fire and before it was demolished.

More research is needed on this grocery and on others that served residents along East Washington Street, Audubon Road, Arlington Avenue, and Dewey Avenue.

World War II and Irvington

Hundreds of young Irvington residents served their country during World War II. Life magazine came to the neighborhood in the middle of the war and did a story on the widows and parents who lost a son in either the European or Pacific theater of the war. Those photos will be forthcoming.

A much happier photo will suffice for today, as a proud sailor named Tom Ferling holds his newly-born son. His wife, Evelyn Schneider Ferling, lived with her parents while her husband was away at war. He was granted leave time to visit his recently-born son, William or Bill, in April of 1944. Tom, Evelyn, and baby Bill are standing at the edge of the Schneider family home's sidewalk at 327 Poplar Road. Behind the couple, you have a nice view of 324 Poplar Road. You will note from the contemporary photograph taken in the winter of 2012, that the home behind them has been significantly changed since 1944.

Fortunately, Tom Ferling returned home safely from the war. He and his new bride eventually settled along Beechwood Avenue in Irvington. The historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Poplar Road--1937 and 1945

Previous posts revealed images of Poplar Road in the 1920s. By the 1940s, you will note that the trees had matured and that some of the same families still called the neighborhood home twenty years later. The Schneiders first moved into 327 Poplar Road in 1923. They would remain until the 1970s. By the 1940s, the Schneiders welcomed their first grandchild to Poplar Road.

In the top photo, extended family members gather along the southside of the Schneider home on Christmas Day in 1937. In the second photo, William Schneider appears to be handing something to his grandson, Bill Ferling, in April of 1945. Behind them, you can see 333, 337, and 339 Poplar Road. In the bottom photo, Bill Ferling takes a ride down Poplar Road on his tricycle. It looks like this photo was taken on the same day in April of 1945. Many houses along the east side of Poplar can be seen in this photo. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Bosart Avenue--1925/1946/2012

Bosart Avenue is five blocks west of Emerson Avenue. North of Michigan Street, the avenue is considered part of Emerson Heights. South it seems to be a part of Bosart Heirs. The Bosart family still lived in the area in 1925 when the top photo was taken. Behind the boys you can see the west side of the street north of 320 North Bosart. In 2012, I stood on the same sidewalk where the boys gathered and captured the same houses today. You will note that much has changed since 1925. In the second photo, a very young Bill Ferling goes for a drive in his sleek new toy car in 1946. Bill is parked in nearly the same spot as the young boys of the previous photo twenty-one years later. Bosart looks very peaceful and quiet in this photo. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

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.

A Summer House, A Fish Pond, and Beautiful Landscaping

George and Rae Ferling dwelled at 311 North Bosart Avenue for several decades. Over the years, they planted and built stunning gardens in the backyard. In 1934, the Ferling men built a summer house complete with an open fireplace for grilling out. They also put in a large fish pond next to their garage. Throughout the years, the family planted beautiful tree, shrub, and flower specimens and transformed the small city lot into an oasis. The following historic images reveal this small paradise.

In the top image, George Ferling builds the stone fireplace while his two sons, Tom and Bob, work on the rest of the summer house in 1934. In the second photo, Tom Ferling proudly sits in his Adirondack chair in the completed summer house shortly after its construction. Note the lovely stone fireplace behind him. In the third photo, you can see the summer home as it appeared in 1941. Note the vines growing over the structure, the lovely spruce tree, the stone pathway, and the gorgeous flowers along the property line and garage. Louise Ferling, a grandchild, can be seen on the swing.

In the bottom photo, four generations of Ferlings gather in the rear of the backyard near the fish pond and garage. The elderly woman sitting in the metal chair was Jettie Thomas, the mother of Rae Ferling, who is holding her new grandson, Bill Ferling. The proud father, Tom Ferling, kneels behind the group. This photo was likely taken in September of 1943 shortly after the birth of young Bill.

Little remains of this Eden today. The summer home appears to have been enclosed and perhaps used for storage in 2012. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

The Ferling Home, 311 North Bosart Avenue, 1921/1949/1954/2012

George W. Ferling and his wife Rae moved into their Arts and Crafts era bungalow at 311 North Bosart Avenue around 1919. They would remain in the home for the next several decades. The Ferlings certainly must have been very proud of their home with its dark stained clapboard siding, large overhanging rafters with brackets, and brick front porch. Later photos will reveal that the couple also had an eye for stunning landscaping.

Mr. Ferling graduated from Purdue University and started working with the Big Four Railroad in 1910. He would remain with that company for the next 39 years retiring in 1949. He later served as a consultant for electrical and engineering companies. The Ferlings had two sons named Robert and Thomas, who would be reared in the Bosart Avenue home. The boys attended school nearby at the Ralph Waldo Emerson School (Number 58).

As their sons grew up and married, the older Ferlings invited the young couples to live in the upstairs of the home. The Ferlings eventually turned the second floor into an apartment. In 1933, disaster struck the family home when a fire started in the attic. Smoke filled the neighborhood, and a large crowd of neighbors watched as firemen extinguished the blaze that caused $1500 in damage. Dining room furniture being stored the attic was completely destroyed and there was smoke damage throughout the home. Mrs. Ferling, her son Thomas, and a grandchild had to flee the home. Thankfully, firemen from House 25 saved the structure from burning down.

In the top photo, Rae Ferling poses with her two young sons, Thomas and Robert in front of the two-year old home in 1921. Note that the family had not enclosed part of the front porch yet. It also appears that everyone is squinting from the bright sun overhead. I am curious about what appears to be some kind of cross on one of the brick porch columns. One Ferling family member thought it might have been an emblem for the fire department. It does not appear in subsequent photos.

The next two photos were both taken in the summer of 1949. In the second photo, a very young Bill Ferling, the son of Tom and Evelyn Schneider Ferling poses in the front yard of 311 North Bosart. Notice that his grandparents have enclosed part of the front porch by this time. They also rented out the upstairs to family members. In the third photo, Evelyn Schneider Ferling stands with her children, Jean and Bill, along the south side of the home. You can see that the home was meticulously maintained.

In the fourth photo, Doloris (a cousin), Jean, and Bill Ferling pose for a photo in 1954. Notice that the Ferlings have added awnings, a runner for the stairs, and a handrail.

The contemporary image shows the home in February of 2012. Notice, that residents after the Ferlings moved away, sheathed the home in pink rock (likely in the 1960s) in sharp contrast to the earthy Arts and Crafts colors. Aluminum siding now covers both the wood siding and soffits. Metal awnings have replaced the cloth structures. You will note that the home is now officially known as 309-311 North Bosart Avenue.

More historic photos of the rear of this property will be forthcoming. What awaits you? A goldfish pond, a summer house, and beautiful landscaping! Stay tuned. The historic photos are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

First Day of School--1920

Bob and Tom Ferling posed for their mother in September of 1920, before going off to school at School #58. The boys were the sons of George and Rae Ferling, who dwelled at 311 North Bosart Avenue. The home seen behind the kids is across the street at 308 North Bosart. The Bosart family owned quite a lot of land just west of Irvington. The Bosart Family farmstead is still standing at the northeast corner of East Washington Street and Bosart Avenue. Much of their land was redeveloped in the early twentieth century for these homes. The Russell family lived across the street at 308 North Bosart Avenue in 1920. The contemporary photograph shows the same image in 2012. The house has been altered since the historic photo was taken. The historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Irvington Train Wreck--1960

On June 1, 1960, a passenger train bound for St. Louis, Missouri and originating in New York City derailed in Irvington along the Pennsylvania Line. The sixteen-car train crossed Arlington Avenue and as it headed towards Audubon Road, it ran over a faulty rail at Good Avenue. The four rear railcars slipped off the tracks, but did not overturn. Twenty passengers were tossed about, but suffered no injuries. Sixteen-year-old Bill Ferling, an Irvington resident, learned of the crash, grabbed his camera, and raced to the scene. He took these four images of the derailment. In the top photo, you can see the Bruckman Coal building at 203 Good Avenue. The remaining three images show the accident scene. It took several hours to clean up. Passengers from the rear cars were moved to the front twelve cars and went on to St. Louis. The Pennsylvania Line is no longer in operation, but the city of Indianapolis has plans for a bike trail to replace it sometime in 2013 or 2014. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Source: "4 of 16 Pennsy Passenger Cars Leaves Tracks in City; None Hurt," Indianapolis Star, June 2, 1960, 4.

Emerson Avenue Baptist Church Groups

The Emerson Avenue Baptist Church has been a part of the Irvington area since 1913 and on the northwest corner of Emerson Avenue and East New York Street since 1921. The current structure at 306 N. Emerson was remodeled in 1958. All of the photos posted today are images of various Sunday school groups from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. If you recognize any of the folks in the photos, drop us a note so that we can identify them!

In the top photo, a group of Sunday School kids pose for a photo in 1921. The only child identified in this photo is Evelyn Schneider, who is the third child from the left in the bottom row.

In the middle photo, a women's group affiliated with the church, pose in the backyard of someone's home. The photo was likely taken around 1930. The only person identified is Myrtle Schneider, who is seated on the ground in the front row and at the left. It is possible that she was hosting the event at 327 Poplar Road.

In the bottom photo, members of a graduating Sunday School class pause for a photo in October of 1949. Note that the church used to be brick. Today it is clad in stone. A very young Bill Ferling stands in the top row of the photo. Mr. Ferling also graciously loaned the photos for this post.

Life Along Beechwood Avenue--1950s

Tom and Evelyn Schneider Ferling purchased 5823 Beechwood Avenue in 1952 from Robert W. and Kathryn Wetzel Ferling, Tom's brother and sister-in-law. Members of the family would remain in the bungalow for the next forty years. Tom was an accountant for the Internal Revenue Service. The couple raised their two children, Bill and Jean, in the house. Their photo collection is filled with scenes of the neighborhood children.

In the top photo, the Ferling family gather in the front yard for a photo in July of 1954. Behind them and across the street, you can see 5820 Beechwood Avenue. That same house appears behind Mike Blaisdell, Bill Ferling's good friend, who lived along Oak Avenue. It is likely that Mike rode up just after the family photo was taken.

In the third photo, Bill Ferling poses with his beloved beagle, "Spottie" in the summer of 1954. Behind him you can see three bungalows across the street at 5828, 5832, and 5836 Beechwood Avenue. The contemporary images show the same views in 2012. The historic photos are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

The Floods of Beechwood Avenue

Beechwood Avenue sits neither higher nor lower than any other street in southern Irvington. It is not near any stream, yet for decades the street has filled with water after a drenching rain. Some years are worse than others. This issue has not abated in 2012. Clearly, this is an engineering issue.

In these historic images taken in August of 1955, you can see that the street turned into a major stream. In the top photo, several children float down the street. Three kids in the middle of the canoe have been identified as Joe Romer, Dennis Krauss, and Gary Krauss. Besides the hilarity of the picture, I also enjoy seeing the houses across the street. The Queen Ann-style cottage directly behind the young people is 5806 Beechwood Avenue. Note the fish scale shingles in the gable and the unusual classical columns on the front porch. In the contemporary image of the same view, you will note that the house is now sheathed in aluminum siding and that the columns are gone. I was particularly struck by the fact that the weeping ornamental tree in the front yard in 1955 still exits in 2012! You can also see the brick home just to the east at 5814 Beechwood.

The twelve-year old cameraman, Bill Ferling, also turned his camera northwest to capture a car driving through the giant puddle. Behind the auto, you can see both 5736 and 5744 Beechwood Avenue. Bill lived across the street at 5823 Beechwood. The contemporary images show the same views in 2012 sans the water. These wonderful historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.