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. 

Irvington Plaza Held Grand Opening in 1955

     On May 11, 1955, local east-side residents flooded into the newly-built Irvington Plaza. Built on 22 acres of land just east of Irvington, the strip mall with its 17 shops offered just about any product one could need. Neighbors could buy their groceries at the Atlas Supermarket or at Kroger's. Schiff's and Marott's offered a variety of shoes while Jack and Mack's Men's Shop sold suits and ties. Would-be engaged couples could try on a ring at National Jewelry Co. Fran's Tot Shop sold items for children. Neighbors could drop off their clothes at Progress Laundry and Dry Cleaning and then buy some new bedding at Dayan's Linen Store. Hardware or other products needed for the home could be found at Atlas Department Store or at Haugh's Hardware. Prescriptions could be picked up at Haag's Drug Store. Residents who were not in the mood to cook could dine at the Flamingo Restaurant or pick up some pastries at Omar's Bakery. 

     For added convenience, the Irvington Plaza Corporation headed by C.B. Durham provided 1600 parking spots.  Drivers could use the "cruise lane" next to the mall to window shop from their cars. A roof over the wide sidewalks helped to keep patrons dry on rainy days as they walked from shop to shop. The entire venture cost 3.5 million dollars. The corporation planned to build additional strip malls on the south and west side of the property. Of course, this large development along with another at the nearby Eastgate Shopping Mall spelled doom for many Irvington merchants, who couldn't offer the parking spaces nor the volume of product. 

     Each night from May 11 until May 14, 1955, merchants kept their doors open late so that locals could square dance from 7PM until 11PM. Shorty Shehan, Lula Belle, Curly Myers, and Charlie Gore called for dancers to "grab their partner and dosey doe."  During the day, eastsiders could enter contests for various drawings. Some lucky folks won a $1000 carat-and-half diamond ring, a mink stole, a bicycle, and even a refrigerator. As exciting as it must have been seen at the time, the concept of a mall clearly has a lifespan. The plaza in 2025 is a shell of what Mr. Durham and others envisioned for the community. 

Postcard of the Irvington Plaza in 1955 (Irvington Historical Society)

The vast parking lot offered community members a chance to ride on a commuter bus from the Irvington Plaza to downtown. (Irvington Historical Society)

The Irvington Plaza Corporation developed the eastern part of the property in 1955. Later they added several stores in the southern and western sections. (Indianapolis Star,  November 18, 1954, p. 44)

An ad for the new Irvington Plaza (Indianapolis News, May 18, 1955, p. 22)

Lula Belle, Curly Myers, Shorty Shehan, and Charlie Gore were so popular that the merchants at Irvington Plaza offered a second week of square dancing. (Indianapolis News, May 11, 1955, p. 21)

Sources: "Irvington Plaza Jubilee Has Gala Opening," Indianapolis News, May 11, 1955; "!50,000 Live in Shop Area," Indianapolis News, May 11, 1955.