Mid-Century Photos Show Beechwood Avenue Home

The early twentieth-century home at 5949 Beechwood Avenue has been occupied by many Irvington families over the decades.  One of the earliest families to dwell in the large two-story home was Elmer E. and Alice Holloway, who set up housekeeping here in 1907.  Mr. Holloway was a piano tuner by trade, but may have been connected with the Holloway family who developed land along Arlington, Beechwood, Webster, and Catherwood Avenues.  Lots sold in that area in 1910 were built in "Holloway's Addition."  Mrs. Holloway stayed home and raised their two children Edward and Dorothy.

Further research is needed on the Holloways and other families who set up housekeeping here.  By 1957, the McCleery family moved in and would remain for ten years before building a brick ranch home next door at 5945 Beechwood Avenue.  After living at 317 South Arlington Avenue since the 1940s,  Lee and Jane McCleery decided that it was time to move from that busy street.  Mr. McCleery worked for the International Harvester Corporation.  Many households along Beechwood hosted Harvester employees in the mid-twentieth century.

In the winter of 1957, someone from the McCleery family documented their property on Beechwood after a snowstorm.  These beautiful photos show the home on a large wooded lot.  Many of the trees still stand in 2013.  The third photo, reveals the home on a spring day c1960.  Mr. McCleery would later partition the lot so that he and his wife could live in a brand new one-story home next door.  The final photo shows the home in the summer of 2013.  

Beautiful snowfall:  5949 Beechwood Avenue in the winter of 1957

The McCleery home at 5949 Beechwood Avenue in 1957.  Beyond the home you can see a glimpse of the Kile home, which used to stand under the Kile Oak.

The McCleery home at 5949 c1960

5949 Beechwood Avenue in 2013

The historic images are courtesy of Chuck McCleery. 

University Avenue Home in 1949

Many families have called 5543 University Avenue home over the decades.  This stately home has been an important part of the fabric of Irvington since the early twentieth century.   Several prominent families have lived here including the Barnards and Shadingers.  The subject of this photo, however, was the not the home, but rather that of Librain Collins, who lived with the Holloways (his inlaws), next door at 5531 University Avenue.  The Collins family and the Holloways hailed from the Knightstown, Indiana area before moving to Irvington.  Mr. Collins was 67 years at the time of this photo.  He would live another eight years before passing away in 1957.

Librain Collins stood in front of 5531 University Avenue in 1949. Behind him you can see 5543 University Avenue

5543 University Avenue in 2012

The pictured home at 5543 University Avenue has changed over the years.  Sometime after this photo was taken, the homeowners added aluminum siding and removed the classical cornices (corners).  The front porch was also slightly changed.  A large picture window was added on the west side of the house. In the early 2000s, homeowners at that time removed the aluminum siding and put on concrete fiberboard.  They also removed all of the historic windows, but restored the balustrade railing above the porch.

Edw. and Doris Holloway lived at 5531 University Avenue throughout the 1940s.

The historic photo is courtesy of Carolyn Reed via Ancestry.com.  The contemporary photos were taken on a gorgeous fall day on October 16, 2012.  To learn more about 5543 University Avenue click on the Barnard or Shadinger link below.