Bob Hunt's Service Station at East 10th Street and Arlington Avenue--1950s

James Robert "Bob" Hunt, who dwelled at 336 North Arlington Avenue, operated his very own Mobil Gas Station from 1955 until 1959 at 990 North Arlington Avenue. City directories indicate that a service station had been in operation on the southwest corner of Arlington Avenue and East 10th Street since at least 1932. Typical of the times, Mr. Hunt operated a full-service station which included tire repair and replacement, oil changes, batteries, spark plugs, and engine repair. Attendants pumped the gas for those who pulled in and washed the cars. Mr. Hunt was a World War II veteran, who had been stationed in the Pacific Theater working in a machine shop and rebuilding torpedoes.

By the mid-1950s, the intersection at of 10th and Arlington had been full developed by Joseph Guidone with a grocery store,  a pharmacy, the Arlington Theater, a bank, and numerous shops. Mr. Hunt's brother, Harold, operated a jewelry store at 6006 East 10th Street. North and east of the intersection, developers were busy adding new housing additions to accommodate the building boom taking place in Indianapolis.

After four years in operation, Mr. Hunt decided that the venture had not been profitable and he went to work for US Naval Avionics to support his wife Ruth and their young son Bob. In 2019, a gas station still operates on the southwest corner of Tenth and Arlington.

Bob Hunt operated a service station on the southwest corner of East 10th and Arlington Avenue from 1955-59. Across the street, you can see the Arlington Supermarket owned by Joseph Guidone, a fabric shop, and a water tower. (photo courtesy of Bob Hunt's son, Robert Harold Hunt)

Bob Hunt held the grand opening event for his new service station at 990 North Arlington Avenue on July 27 and 28, 1955. (photo courtesy of Bob Hunt's son, Robert Harold Hunt)

Bob Hunt operated a full-service Mobil Gas Station at 990 North Arlington Avenue. In this photo, snapped c1955, Mr. Hunt stood next to his service truck. Behind him, you can see the Arlington Theater and the American Fletcher National Bank on the northeast corner of East Tenth Street and Arlington Avenue. Local residents who needed to get ahold of Mr. Hunt simply called Fleetwood 7-0836. (photo courtesy of Bob Hunt's son, Robert Harold Hunt)

Image courtesy of Bob Hunt's son, Robert Harold Hunt

Bob Hunt, at the far left, stood with Howard "Bud" Tellman, Max Sharp, and another unidentified employee c1955 at his gas station located at 990 North Arlington Avenue. (photo courtesy of Bob Hunt's son, Robert Harold Hunt)

A special thanks to Robert Harold Hunt for making this post possible.

"Keep Mum!" Birthday Party Invitations in the early 1940s

Ann Hart, like many Irvington girls, received invitations to birthday parties.   How many of us have kept up with these childhood friends?  How many of us have lost touch?  Stored in scrapbooks for over 70 years, these three invitations were issued to several girls throughout the neighborhood in 1941-43.  The lucky recipient, Ann Hart, dwelled at 5930 East Washington Street and attended elementary school at IPS #77.

On November 5, 1941, several Irvington girls gathered at the home of Joyce Mitzner at 5864 East Lowell Avenue.  It was a cool day and a Wednesday so the girls gathered after school.  None of them had any idea that their lives were about to change in just a little over a month with the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Joyce and Ann have remained friends over the years and without fail Ann still sends a birthday card to her dear friend on November 5.  Below you can see the original invitation and what the home looks like in 2013.  A stone facade was added much later so the bungalow was likely originally clad in wood siding in 1941.

In either 1942 or 1943, Ann received an invitation from Mrs. Seabert for a surprise birthday party honoring her daughter Jane.  The kids had to phone Mrs. Seabert to let her know that they were coming.  As part of the covert operation, the children were to meet at the home of Mrs. Panczner, who dwelled in a double at 105 North Pasadena Avenue. It was a summer day so the party was likely held outdoors.  Below you can see the invitation and Mrs. Seabert's lovely handwriting.  You can also see a photo of 105-107 Pasadena Avenue in 2013.

On September 16, 1943, Ann and several other girls gathered at the home of Alice Hunt at 737 North Bolton Avenue.  Mr. Hunt ran a nearby bowling alley.  The children met after school and enjoyed the last days of a beautiful summer.  You may see this invitation and a contemporary image of the home below.

The cards and information are courtesy of Ann Hart Stewart.

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

Fashionable Ritter Avenue--1905

Beautiful homes graced Ritter Avenue in the early 20th century.  The home in the foreground is that of Charles and Grace Hackleman at 34 North Ritter Avenue.  Their home had just been standing for one year when the historic photograph was taken.  Mr. Hackleman earned a comfortable living as an engraver. He later wrote a textbook on engraving and printing for vocational schools around the nation.  The second home at 40 North Ritter Avenue belonged to salesman, Harry Dwyer.  It was also fairly new in 1905.  The third house visible in the photo belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hunt at 46 North Ritter Avenue.  They had only recently purchased the late-nineteenth-century dwelling from Margaret Cummings, a widow.  Mr. Hunt was listed in the directories as a reporter, salesman, and a businessman involved in at least two separate companies.  The last home seen in this image is that of Elwood and Ethel Barnard at 52 North Ritter.  The Barnards were musicians and had their own orchestra.  Other family members who participated in the Barnard Orchestra included Olive and Helen.

Charles and Helen Hackleman and several neighborhood children at 34 North Ritter Avenue in 1905.

  Charles and Helen Hackleman (she is standing on the sidewalk) were the real subjects of this photograph.  Unidentified neighborhood children have joined the pair.  Perhaps they lived in one of the nearby Ritter Avenue homes.

The block looks very different in 2012.  The Works Progress Administration widened the street in the late 1930s and removed the green space and all of the trees next to the avenue.  Unfortunately, 40 North Ritter was greatly altered in the early 1990s when the owners at that time added an entire story and vinyl sided over the wood shake and clapboards.  A more historic alteration took place at 46 North Ritter perhaps as early as 1915 when it was converted into four apartments.  The other two homes at 34 and 52 North Ritter have changed little in the 107 years since this photo was taken.

40 North Ritter was drastically altered in the early 1990s.

46 North Ritter was converted to apartments in 1915. You can still see the late nineteenth-century fish scale shakes on the side of the home. 

The historic image is courtesy of Karen Bastian Clark.  The contemporary images were shot on October 5, 2012.  

Irvington Baby Boomers--1954

Look at all of these toothless, cute, pigtailed, and innocent children. They all attended School #57 (George Washington Julian School) at East Washington Street and South Ritter. Many of them will be retiring soon, and perhaps some are not with us anymore. Several of their fathers and some of their mothers fought in World War II, while most of their moms stayed home and kept the U.S. moving forward by working in factories, shops, government agencies, and schools. Some of these children were drafted or volunteered for the Vietnam War. Much has happened to them and to the country since 1954.

They dared to defy their parents by listening to rock music. They witnessed the Civil Rights movement, and perhaps they turned off their television sets during the Watergate Scandal. They thought they might be killed by an atomic bomb and they viewed the fall of the Berlin Wall on a new cable TV channel called CNN. When this photo was taken, most likely in the autumn of 1954, Dwight Eisenhower was the President of the United States, and George Craig was the Governor of Indiana.

So much has happened to Irvington since 1954 as well. A new mall called Eastgate opened in 1957 and lured many local shops away. Some residents left the neighborhood for greener pastures in the suburbs, where they could build a long ranch house on a large lot. Those who chose to remain in Irvington watched as Washington Street business owners began to struggle and close up their shops in the 1970s and 1980s. In their later years, they have watched a Renaissance transform part of that street by 2012.

For those who moved away never to return to the neighborhood, they take with them their memories of playing in Ellenberger Park; watching a movie at the Irving; or perhaps buying candy at the local soda shops or corner grocery stores. It is possible that as I type this note, the "kids" in this photo are busy telling their grandchildren stories of this place called....Irvington.

This historic image is courtesy of Janet Hunt Wilzbacher. She is the cute little girl located fourth from the left in the fourth row. If you recognize the faces of any other children in this photo, then drop me a note and we shall add them!

A Country Scene--Brookville Road and Arlington Avenue in 1939

For many years, Irvington sat several miles east of the city boundaries of Indianapolis. By the 1920s, many neighborhoods had been constructed in between the community and downtown. However, east of Irvington the land still remained largely meadow, pasture, or woodland until after World War II. In these photos, taken in 1939, you can see how rural the intersection of Brookville Road and South Arlington Avenue used to be. In the two historic shots, you can see the northeast and southeast corners of the intersection. The photographer is actually standing north and west of the crossroads and is facing southeast. Off in the distance, you can see a farmhouse, but little else. A contemporary image shows that same view in 2012. The historic images are courtesy of Helen Hunt.

One of Irvington's Newest Residents in 1949

Baby Janet Hunt plays in her stroller near her South Audubon Road home in 1949. More than likely, her mother Helen, is the proud photographer of this photo. In the background, you can see her neighbor's home, a charming bungalow at 337 South Audubon Road. Leroy, Helen, Janet and eventually Michael Hunt dwelled just to the south at 341 South Audubon Road. The contemporary photo shows the bungalow in the summer of 2011. The historic image is courtesy of Janet Hunt Wilzbacher.

326 South Audubon Road in 1949 and 2011

Michael Hunt builds a snowman in front of his house (341 South Audubon Road) in 1949 after a snowstorm hit Irvington. Behind him sits 326 South Audubon Road, a large late-nineteenth-century home. The earliest known residents as of this writing were the Gray family who lived here from 1899 to 1914. In 1914, the Indianapolis Star advertised that it was for rent for $35 a month. For that hefty sum, you received an eight room home with a barn on a large lot. It appears that the Remington family leased the house at the time. Some of the other folks who called this dwelling home over the decades include the Isaacs, Keywans, Cassadys, Beagleys, Keiths, Weins, Schafers, Sigmonds, Sloans, and Coulters. The historic photo shows the porch as it was in the early twentieth century. The later Queen Anne styled porch was added in the late twentieth century. You will also note that the lot to the south of the home remained vacant in 1949. More research is needed on this very old and interesting house. This image is courtesy of Helen Hunt.

After a Snowstorm in Irvington--1950

Two neighborhood children enjoy a day in the snow in the winter of 1950. Behind the young boys you can see 352 South Audubon Road. Eugene W. and Lois M. Ross dwelled in the house at that time. They were likely the second owners of the home as Raymond H. and Louise H. Matthius were the first to live in the home. They moved in the place in 1926 and stayed until the 1940s. The 1930 census reveals that the Matthius's had one son named Don, who was eleven at that time. Mrs. Matthius's thirty-year-old sister, Leona Rau, a bookkeeper, also lived with them.

Behind the Matthius home, you can get a glimpse of 5637 and 5635 Beechwood Avenue. Tracy R. and Nancy Elliott lived in the newer brick home at 5637 in 1950. The Elliotts built the house in 1940 and remained in it for decades. Next door, Floyd R. and Eva N. Taylor dwelled in the bungalow at 5635 Beechwood. Other families who occupied that small bungalow prior to the Taylors include Leonard Welsh, a printer and Frank Echolds, the Principal of Christian Park Elementary, and his wife Ferne. The historic image is courtesy of Helen Hunt.

The contemporary shots were taken in the summer and late autumn of 2011.

Winter in Irvington--1953 and 1978

Helen and Leroy Hunt dwelled at 341 South Audubon with their children Michael and Janet. Two of these photos show the family Christmas tree in 1953 and Mrs. Hunt working on a jigsaw puzzle. Mr. Hunt worked in a pharmacy and Mrs. Hunt stayed at home and raised the children. The bottom photo shows the Hunt bungalow as well as the two to the south of house after the Blizzard of 1978. These wonderful images are courtesy of Helen Hunt.

Memories of the Attack Upon Pearl Harbor--70 Years Later

Ann Hart (Stewart), one of our contributors to Vintage Irvington, recalled where she was seventy years ago on this date, December 7, 1941. The day began as all of her Sundays had with a trip to the Irvington Presbyterian Church. After lunch, she was allowed to go over and play with her friend Alice Hunt, who lived just north of Washington Street on Arlington Avenue. It was not long before her Mother came over and walked her back across the street to her childhood home at 5930 East Washington Street. As soon as they walked into the house, her mother burst into tears and began to tell Ann about the Pearl Harbor attack.

Ann wondered and worried about many things on that day including the fate of her Uncle Roger Ruhsenberger, who was in military service. (He made it through the war and had a successful career with the US Navy.) There is no question that life changed for Irvington families after that "day of infamy," but Ann recalls wonderful memories of planting Victory Gardens and canning vegetables. The family was so efficient that Ann remarked that they ate the last of the canned tomatoes in 1958! Irvington families made the best of the war shortages. Ann noted that when a Christmas lightbulb burned out, it was not replaced. People made do with the rations. Since her father was a doctor, they were allowed extra gas rations. She also noted that her father went hunting and brought home quail and rabbit to supplement the family meals. Patients who could not pay her father cash for the medical calls frequently rewarded him with butter, cream, and farm raised chickens. Ann's mother went back to teaching as labor was scarce in many sectors of the economy.

Seventy years later that day is still a vivid memory for Ann Hart Stewart. She can even recall walking through the back gate and into her childhood home. Thanks to her descriptive note, we too, are walking through that gate and into the past.

The historic image was taken of Ann Hart (Stewart) and her cousin Roger Ruhsenberger in 1937, four years before the attacks on Pearl Harbor. I am indebted to Ann for her memories of that fateful moment in US History.

Graduation Celebration--1958

Mrs. Murray N. Marx invited her neighbors over to her home on the occasion of Michael Hunt's graduation from Howe High School in 1958. The Hunts lived at 341 South Audubon Road while Mrs. Marx lived at 345 South Audubon Road. These wonderful color photos show both homes.

In the top image, Mrs. Marx stands in front of her bungalow at 345 South Audubon Road. The middle photo shows the proud graduate. Behind him you can see 341 South Audubon Road. The silver maple near him towers over both homes in 2011. In the bottom image, Helen Hunt poses with her daughter next to her neighbor's home at 345 South Audubon Road. These images are courtesy of Helen Hunt.

Birthday--1956

Janet Hunt sits in her childhood home at 341 South Audubon Road after having just opened her birthday presents. There are so many things I love about this photo. She is all dressed up as she is about to have a birthday party. Behind her you can see the giant television-console set with rabbit ears. Below her is a wonderful 1940s-era rug covering the hardwood floors. The picture also reveals several wonderful features about this historic bungalow including the double door entryway, beautiful woodwork, and a built in cabinet in the living room. The couch in the foreground also looks very comfortable. This image, taken in 1956, is courtesy of Janet Hunt Wilzbacher.

South Arlington Avenue in 1941/2011

These two small bungalows, likely built in the 1920s, stand at 561 and 569 South Arlington Avenue near Brookville Road. The historic image, taken in 1941, shows that the street was a quiet narrow path and the area around the homes was largely pasture and meadow. It was a nice country setting.

In 2011, the street is busy and has been widened as it is a major thoroughfare that stretches from southern Marion County to East 56th Street. The lots, which were largely undeveloped in 1941, were bought up in the 1950s and 60s. Developers built modest homes on the empty lots and a factory and several commercial businesses sprang up along Brookville Road.

The photographer of the historic 1941 picture clearly aimed for the cute dog running towards the camera, but in the background you can see 561 and 569 South Arlington Avenue.

The contemporary photos taken in 2011 show the area today. 561 South Arlington is still largely intact and relatively unaltered. Only the front porch has been enclosed. 569 South Arlington has been encased in vinyl siding and many of the windows have been changed out.

The historic image is courtesy of Helen Hunt.

Hunt Bungalow 1956/2011

Seven different families called 341 South Audubon Road home before 1942 including the Holtzenhausens, Smiths, McMartins, Landers', Walkers, Cordhills, and Quaites. The home was completed by 1927 and Otto F. Holtzhausen, a printer, and his family, were the first to call the two-bedroom bungalow home. Situated among three other bungalows, the home was part of a mini-building boom in Irvington that lasted until the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Contractors built several other bungalows nearby on Beechwood, Rawles, Burgess, and Ritter Avenues. North of the home at the corner of Oak Avenue and Audubon Road stood the majestic Carr Home, an original Italianate, from the first building boom of the 1870s and 1880s. It still stands today and will be featured in future posts.

Stability arrived to the house when Leroy and Helen Hunt moved in with their son Michael in 1942. They would later add Janet into the mix and remain in the home for decades. Mr. Hunt worked as a pharmacist while Mrs. Hunt raised the children and volunteered with the Irvington Presbyterian Church.

These mid-century photos, likely taken around 1956, show that Mr. Hunt had already enclosed the porch. Later the Hunts would also add aluminum siding. The original 1920s era detached garage remains as do many lovely interior features such as built in cupboards, and several 1920s era light fixtures. In one of the photos you can also get a glimpse of 345 South Audubon Road, another bungalow. The contemporary image was taken on July 28, 2011. The historic images are courtesy of Helen Hunt.