Book Recommendation

      If you are looking for a great book to read that involves an Irvington family, then I can absolutely recommend Lost Rights: The Misadventures of a Stolen American Relic by David Howard. This true story centers around the Shotwell family, who first moved to Irvington in 1892.  Charles A. Shotwell and his wife, Clara, lived at both 104 Johnson Avenue and later at 55 South Downey Avenue. Mr. Shotwell worked for the Board of Trade in downtown Indianapolis. As a young man, he purchased a looted historic document from an Ohio Civil War veteran. As Sherman's army marched to the sea, members of his regiments stole many artifacts including North Carolina's copy of the Bill of Rights. The early founders of the Republic commissioned one copy per colony and one for the federal government. Charles Shotwell purchased an original copy of the Bill of Rights.

     David Howard takes us on a journey from Irvington to California to Broad Ripple and to the East Coast. The book reads like a thriller and I could not put it down. What happened to that original Bill of Rights? I will not spoil the story. You can find Mr. Howard's book online or at the Indianapolis Public Library. While Mr. Shotwell primarily displayed the Bill of Rights at his downtown office, the document was also likely stored in the two houses featured below. 

The Shotwells moved to Irvington in 1892 and lived in this house at 104 Johnson Avenue as early as 1900. (photo snapped in the spring of 2024)

Charles and Clara Shotwell moved from their Johnson Avenue home to this American Foursquare located at 55 South Downey Avenue. (photo snapped in the spring of 2024)

Ladies Gathered on Former Church Steps

      In 1909, the Presbyterians of Irvington worshipped in their newly-constructed brick church located at the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues. The congregation eventually outgrew the structure and erected a Gothic-inspired building in 1928. Long before that, however, a group of smartly-dressed young women gathered on the steps for a group photo. We do not know the names of the young ladies, but the image came from the Shimer family. The shadow of the leafless tree on the church indicates that this might have been an Easter Day c1918. 

Young ladies posed on the steps of the Irvington Presbyterian Church c1918. (Courtesy of Chris Shimer)

Local Artist and His Wife Moved to Maine

      Recently, while perusing some historic postcards in a local antique mall, I came across a brief note on stationery postmarked on May 26, 1948, from Eastport, Maine. The card depicted a beautiful lighthouse print by Robert Craig. I was drawn to the card because it was sent to an Irvington address. Soon, I fell into several rabbit holes while researching the people who sent the note and the "folks" who received it. I was even more intrigued when I realized that the card was actually sent by Robert and Winifred Craig. There were clues in the text as well.

Robert Craig sketched the East Quoddy Lighthouse located on Campobello Island, New Brunswick most likely from a boat. 

The Craigs mailed this note in 1948 to the Winslows at Maplewood Court in Irvington.

Both the Craigs and the Winslows lived in the Maplewood Apartments at 37 and 47 Johnson Avenue shown here in winter of 2017.

     Dear Folks,

     School is almost out and soon you will be starting Maineward. Wonderful new road from Portsmouth north to Portland done. Come to see us when you can--our latch string is always out.  Craigs

     Robert Craig taught at Arsenal Technical High School for many years. In fact, he headed the fine-arts department. Born in Spencer, Indiana, Mr. Craig later learned his craft at the Pratt Institute and at Columbia University. He also studied under William Forsyth. He and his wife Winifred moved to Irvington and lived at 37 South Johnson Avenue at Maplewood Court. When he retired from Arsenal Tech in 1941, the school named a gallery for him on the third floor of Stuart Hall. During his summer breaks the couple began to go to Maine where he found many beautiful scenes to paint. He preferred painting or sketching outdoors rather than in a studio. He often exhibited his works with other Irvington artists or in one-man shows. 

     In 1945, art critic and Irvington resident, Lucille Morehouse, featured Mr. Craig's one-man show at Lieber's Art Emporium in downtown Indianapolis in her column during the winter of 1945. He displayed many pieces for sale including 29 watercolors, six oils, two lithographs, and one etching. Most of the subjects were of Maine although he did include a few Indiana scenes. In 1947, he exhibited more work at Herron Art School including nine pieces of coastal Maine. Lucille Morehouse noted that besides Forsyth, he also studied under George Ennis in Maine. He reached his peak much later in life in 1964 when the Lynn Kottler Galleries in New York City featured his oil paintings and watercolors. A critic in the Manhattan East wrote of Mr. Craig that, "here is a realist who sees with clear vision and an unerring sense of color." 

Robert Craig was head of the Art Department at Arsenal Technical High School for many years. He is standing in the center of the bottom row. Flanking him were Thelma Adams and Ruth Kothe. In the middle row: Chelsea Stewart, Ione Hirsch, Sara Bard, Edmund Schildknecht; Top Row--Oakley Richey, Elizabeth Jasper, and John Simpson (Arsenal Canon, 1937)

     With that background, one can now begin to understand the text of the note. Harold and Harriett (Hattie) Winslow received the letter from the Craigs just as school neared an end in Indianapolis. Mr. Winslow taught music at both Manual Training High School and at Arsenal Technical High School, which is where Mr. Craig and Mr. Winslow might have met. Mrs. Winslow taught history at both Shortridge and Howe High Schools. They also lived at Maplewood Court in Irvington. The Craigs lived at #16 while the Winslows resided at #7. Mr. Craig had already retired by 1948, but the Winslows were wrapping up the school year.  School is almost out.  

     The Winslows, like the Craigs, had no children and traveled extensively on summer breaks. They had been to Europe and the Middle East. They also drove across the United States so it was not surprising to learn that one of those sojourns might be to Maine to visit their friends, the Craigs, who had made Eastport their permanent home by 1945. For Mr. Winslow it also might have been like coming home since he had been born in Maine. 

Harriett or Hattie Winslow taught Social Studies at Howe High School for many years. She can be seen at the far right in profile. Others in the image include (l to r): Lewis Gilroy, Wade Fuller, Russell Curtis, Dorthea Kirk, Hartwell Kayler, and Mary Diaz (Hilltopper,  1946)

Harold Winslow taught music for many years for the Indianapolis Public Schools and with many church choirs. (Ellen Manual, Find-a-Grave)

     Two years after the Craigs mailed their note to the Winslows of Maplewood Court, Mr. Winslow died in 1950. Did Mrs. Winslow ever see her friends again? We do not know as of this writing. Both Mrs. Winslow and Mrs. Craig died in 1968. Robert Craig died in 1971 at the age of 87. 

     Before purchasing the simple note on the lovely stationery, I had never heard of these interesting and talented Irvington couples. Come see us when you can--the latch string is always out. 

The subject of Mr. Craig's wonderful sketch still stands on Campobello Island, New Brunswick (Britannica) 

Sources:  Craigs--Lucille Morehouse, "Water Colors Feature One-Man Show," Indianapolis Star, February 25, 1945, 21; Lucille Morehouse, "Art of Mattison and Craig Exhibited at Herron Museum," Indianapolis Star, March 2, 1947, 70; "Eastport Artist Has 1-Man Show," Bangor Daily News, January 6, 1964, 26; "Robert Craig, Noted Painter Dies in Eastport," Bangor Daily News, May 11, 1971, 15; Federal Census and City Directories; Winslows--Obituary for Harold Winslow, Indianapolis Star, December 26, 1950, 16; Obituary for Harriet Winslow, Indianapolis News, September 18, 1968, 44. 

     Thank you to Paula Schmidt at the Irvington Historical Society.

Irvington at 150: Street Names I-M

In part three of our series on street names more historical information has been uncovered. Additional research will be needed as you will see that we don't know the origins for a few of the street names. Thanks to the efforts of historians like Larry Muncie and Steve Barnett, many of the mysteries have been solved. A romantic novel, prominent residents, a poet, a local girl, and the founders of Irvington have streets named for them in this grouping. If you have additional information on any of these avenues please let us know.

Irvington Avenue: On the evening of March 16, 1903, the Indianapolis City Council renamed Elm Avenue as Irvington Avenue. The Indianapolis News reported that the street was nearly named Tennyson Avenue, but local residents objected. It was obvious as to why Elm had to go as there was already another street in the city with that name, but why did this small side street get such a grand name? It wasn't the first time that a street in the town had been named for Irvington. Early maps show that Julian Avenue connecting what is today South Butler (then Lake) and South Hawthorne (then Commercial) as Irvington Avenue. It would seem to have been more appropriate for a major boulevard to have donned the name of the town; however, Elm Street won the day. To further complicate the story, an early plat of neighborhood shows that South Irvington Avenue used to be known as Cherry Avenue. 

Irwin Street: The small street located north of Washington Street did not appear in the Indianapolis city directory until 1941. Likely developed at the same time as nearby Elizabeth Street, the first families to dwell along Irwin included the Shocks, Kaisers, Matthews, and Washburns. Developers were also building homes along Irwin north of Irvington so it is unknown at this time as to the origin of the name. Is Irwin related to nearby Elizabeth? Perhaps someone knows the answer. To view beautiful photographs taken of the street in the 1950s, click on the "Irwin Street" link below. 

Ivanhoe Street:  On November 25, 2019, the BBC named Ivanhoe as one of the most influential novels ever written. Walter Scott, who published his book in 1819, set the fictional tale in 12th-century England complete with Normans, Saxons, jousting tournaments and a witch trial. The popular three-volume set was likely found on the shelves of many Irvington homes. A small street in the South East Irvington Addition, formerly called Fourth Street, was renamed after the popular tale in 1898. 

Ivanhoe was first published in 1819 but was still popular in 1916 when this edition came out.

Jenny Lane: On August 29, 1926, an ad in the Indianapolis Star announced the exciting news that several lots would be for sale for future homes along a brand new street called Jenney Lane. Later, city officials dropped the second "e". The small stretch was named for the Jenney family who resided in a beautiful home at 4603 East Washington Street. Charles D. Jenney (1864-1926) earned a comfortable living managing his own electrical company. Throughout the mid and late-1920s, contractors built charming brick bungalows and doubles along the lane. 

Indianapolis Star, August 29, 1926

Some early articles about homes along the street referred to it as Jenny's Lane. This ad appeared in the Indianapolis Star, November 17, 1929.

Johnson Avenue: Sylvester Johnson founded the town of Irvington along with Jacob Julian. His stunning Second Empire-style home faced Audubon Road. His backyard complete with a beautiful orchard abutted what is today Johnson Avenue. The small street became longer in 1898 when the town board named a stretch from Julian Avenue to the Pennsylvania Railroad after Johnson as well. 

Julian Avenue: The original Julian Avenue stretched from Ritter Avenue to Arlington Avenue (then Line) and is named for the family who made Irvington possible. Jacob Julian arrived first and founded the town. His more famous brother, George Washington Julian, arrived in 1874. George Julian, a retired Congressman, built a beautiful Italianate residence just south of Jacob's home on South Audubon Road (then Central Avenue). Congressman Julian's daughter, Grace Julian Clarke, was an important figure for women's suffrage in Indiana. She lived in the family home at 115 South Audubon Road until her death in 1938. Local historian, Steve Barnett, recently discovered that part of Julian Avenue from South Irvington Avenue to Downey Avenue was originally called Ohmer Avenue in 1871. West of Ritter Avenue, both Houston and Irvington Avenue became Julian Avenue in 1898. East of Arlington Avenue, Chestnut Street also became Julian Avenue in that same year. 

Kenmore Road: When researching homes in the Irvington Terrace Addition, it is important to know that some of the street names have been changed. For instance, Kenmore Road began as Eldridge Street. The Buckeye Realty Company developed much of the area beginning in 1913. Newspaper stories touted beautiful homes constructed by R. L. Castle. The original name of Eldridge (sometimes spelled Eldredge) came from John and Alanson Eldredge, who owned acres of land in the area in the 1840s. ("The Story of a Lot," Indianapolis News, May 16, 1914) The city of Indianapolis changed the name in 1916 to Kenmore Road. (Indianapolis News, October 17, 1916, 19) The origin of the name is unknown at this time. 

Photos of several Irvington Terrace homes developed by the Buckeye Realty Company were featured frequently in the Indianapolis newspapers of the 1910s including this house at 45 Kenmore Road (formerly 51 Eldredge/Eldridge Street). ( Indianapolis Star, December 20, 1914)

Kenyon Street: Sixteen years after the first residents purchased lots along Kenyon Street, the Indianapolis Star paid a visit in 1929 and described the avenue as "one of the most attractive streets in Indianapolis." The author further gushed that it is "lined with beautiful maple trees, well-kept lawns, and attractive new bungalows." First platted in 1913 by the Buckeye Realty Company under the leadership John Chilcote, the street is one of the few in the addition that has not been renamed. But what is the origin? There were Kenyons living in Irvington, but we see no connection just yet. Mr. Chilcote was a native of Ohio and developed numerous housing additions in the Columbus and Lima areas. Could the street be named for the Ohio college? 

From the Indianapolis Star, July 8, 1929

Kitley Avenue: Check any atlas of Warren Township produced in the nineteenth century and you will see the Kitley family name. In fact, John Kitley owned the area of what was to become Irvington Terrace in the 1850s. Other Kitleys continued to farm south of Irvington. Today, the only vestige of the Kitleys in the Irvington area is the street that bears their name. 

Layman Avenue: In the spring of 1896, the Irvington Town Board united Layman Avenue (north of Washington Street) with that of Tilford Street (north of Lowell Avenue) under one name--Layman Avenue. Tilford had been an early investor in the Chambers Addition north of Lowell, but by the late nineteenth-century, the town was more enamored with the wealthy Layman family who lived in the former Jacob Julian home at 29 South Audubon Road. (then Central) James T. Layman, a Civil War veteran, had made his money in the wholesale trade. He and his wife Cora Belle Parks Layman moved into their Second Empire mansion in 1887. At least one son, Theodore, also served on the Irvington Town Board. 

James Townsend Layman and Cora Belle Parks Layman c1910 in front of their home at 29 South Audubon Road (photo courtesy of Isabelle Layman Troyer)

The Layman home at 29 South Audubon Road c1910 (photo courtesy of Isabelle Layman Troyer)

Leland Avenue: This avenue first appears in the Indianapolis newspapers as Leland Street as early as 1905, but no houses were built upon the avenue until the mid-1920s. North of Tenth Street, contractors erected beautiful brick Tudor homes in a development called Emerson Highlands. Later they developed the street south of Tenth Street. So who was Leland? Is it a first name or a last name? Do you have information? The origin of the name eludes us at the moment. 

A sketch of the home of the Harryman family of 1101 Leland Avenue can be seen in an ad in the Indianapolis News, May 14, 1927.

Wayne Harryman helped to develop the Emerson Highlands neighborhood along Leland Avenue. He lived in a beautiful stuccoed English Tudor next to this house at 1101 Leland Avenue. (Indianapolis Star, May 26, 1929)

Lesley Avenue: Formerly called Greene Street, the name appears to have changed to Lesley Avenue in 1903. The street was named after Daniel Lesley, who resided at 5716 Lowell Avenue with his wife and two children. Mr. Lesley was a tax accountant and frequently made the news for exposing government corruption. Both he and his wife Edith Thompson Lesley hailed from Winchester, Indiana. 

Daniel Lesley (with a mustache) posed with his relatives most likely in Randolph County, Indiana c1885. Pictured: Jacob, Amos, Daniel, and Rueben Lesley (photo courtesy of Lesley family descendants via Ancestry.com) 

Lowell Avenue:  Irvington residents appear to have had love affair with writers from the Romantic era. In 1898, when the town board decided to rename a confusing hodgepodge of streets into one name, they chose to rebrand the long street after the poet and editor of the Atlantic Monthly, James Russell Lowell (1819-1891). Mr. Lowell was good friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson and John Greenleaf Whittier, who also received Irvington street names. Previous names of the street included Elm Avenue (in between North Audubon Road and Irvington Avenue) and Walnut Avenue (in between North Audubon Road and North Arlington Avenue). Larry Muncie in his book, Irvington: Three Windows on Irvington History, 1989, mentions that at one point part of the street was also called Ohio Street. 

James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) (public domain)

Maple Lane: William Alexander and Flora McDonald Ketcham filed for a plat for the subdivision of Pleasanton in 1915. This small addition to Irvington emulated the original plan for the area complete with winding streets. Most of the development for the new community, however, did not really take off until the early 1920s. The Ketchams chose Maple Lane as one of their streets although there was already a Maple Road (38th Street) in northern Indianapolis. Trees seem to be a theme for street names in Pleasanton. 

An ad for new homes along Maple Lane in Pleasanton from the Indianapolis News, September 23, 1921

Market Street: A small section of Market Street runs through Irvington. The more famous part of the street begins in downtown Indianapolis and was aptly named for the markets that still operate along that well-known avenue. 

Melvenia Street: Clarence and Josephine Hurst lived in a small cottage along an unnamed lane south of Burgess Avenue in the 1920s. By 1924, the Indianapolis city directory listed the Hursts on Melvenia Street. Melvenia Street? Where did that name come from? Who was Melvenia? It turns out that the answer was right in front of me. The Hursts had one daughter--Melvenia Hurst. She married John Martin and eventually moved to Florida where she passed away in 2005. We are in the process of attempting to track down family members to learn more about her. In 1940, the city of Indianapolis further honored her by naming another section south of Brookville Road as Melvenia. It had formerly been called "Haugh." 

Michigan Street: John Chambers was an early investor in Irvington. He developed land north of Lowell Avenue in between Ritter Avenue and just east of Arlington Avenue. He named one of the streets after himself. Unfortunately, like many early investors, Mr. Chambers went bankrupt. When the city of Indianapolis annexed Irvington, they changed Chambers to Michigan to align with the street that originated in the original mile square of Indianapolis. Mr. Chambers was completely erased from the story of the neighborhood; however, his name lives on in deeds and abstracts. 

John W. Chambers, who developed land north of Lowell Avenue and east of Ritter Avenue, went bankrupt in 1877. Later a street named for him became Michigan Street. (Indianapolis News, February 6, 1877)

Sources:  Larry Muncie, Irvington: Three Windows on Irvington's History. 1989; Irvington Avenue--"Mr. Warweg's Ordinance," Indianapolis Journal, March 17, 1903, 10; Kenyon Street--"Our Street," July 8, 1929, 8; Layman Avenue--"New Town Officers," Indianapolis News, May 12, 1896, 7: Melvenia Street--"Changes Sought in Street Names," Indianapolis Star, February 6, 1940, 5: "Changes in Street Names," Indianapolis Journal, January 18, 1903, 3; "Irvington's New Names," Indianapolis News, November 3, 1898, 7. 

Irvington at 150: The Beginning

 Jacob B. Julian and Sylvester Johnson walked into the Marion County Courthouse on November 7, 1870, to file a plat for a new experiment called Irvington. Neither man hailed from the area as both were from Centerville, Indiana in Wayne County. A simple ad in the Indianapolis News on the following day documented the moment:  

     A plat of the town of Irvington was filed for yesterday. It has one hundred and nine lots, containing one to ten acres each. 

The original plat created by Julian and Johnson as seen in this early map: The men quickly added the Julian and Johnson Addition south of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Just to the west, Levi Ritter added 80 acres of additional land for development in 1871.  

In the Julian and Johnson Addition, the developers added one of the first parks in Marion County. By 1874, builders erected a school across the street from the circular green space. 

The men had been inspired by the development of the town of Glendale (1851), a suburb north of Cincinnati. In that neighborhood, families of means built large homes on wide lots out in a country atmosphere. Glendale was located along a major rail line and had a small commercial section along with a school. Julian and Johnson strategically purchased farmland and woods east of Indianapolis in Warren Township due to its proximity to two major rail lines and its location along the National Road. These men were investors, but they were also planning to sell a way of life.

Early accounts indicate that Sylvester Johnson, a founder of Irvington, visited Glendale, a town north of Cincinnati. The beautiful community became the model for Irvington. (photos courtesy of Glendale Archive and Cincinnati Refined) 

Both Julian and Johnson had earned comfortable livings in Wayne County as attorneys and as land speculators. Both men were Quakers and both had been irked by a local issue that involved the removal of the county seat from Centerville to Richmond. Their vision for Irvington was similar. Of course, it was a profit-making venture, but Johnson, who was devoted to the cause of temperance, wrote in covenants that banned the sale of intoxicating liquors. He also added numerous other provisions as well including the stipulations that no slaughterhouses nor soap factories would be built within the town limits. Julian was given the naming rights. Early accounts vary, but either Jacob or his daughter, Mary Julian Downey, named the new town after their favorite author, Washington Irving. 

The men must have done a good job of promoting the experiment as many people signed up to purchase lots before the town was even chartered. Levi Ritter, who owned 80 acres just to the west of the original plat, joined into the plan and it appears that he built the first new house in the neighborhood although there were still a few farmhouses nearby. Grace Julian Clarke, the niece of Jacob Julian, attributed his accomplishment to the fact that his house was clad in wood and not brick like many of the original residences so it was easier to build. His home used to stand on the grounds of the present School #57 and of course, the nearby street is named for his family. Johnson and Julian completed their homes soon after Mr. Ritter. A blurb in the Hancock Democrat (February 23, 1871) noted that Jacob Julian intended to build a residence in Irvington. A Cambridge City Tribune (October 31, 1872) article recorded that Mr. Julian and his family removed from his old house in Centerville to his new residence at Irvington, a suburb of Indianapolis, on Tuesday last.  Both Julian and Johnson sited their brick Second Empire homes facing South Audubon Road (Central Avenue). The imposing residences could be seen from the National Road and must have been impressive mirages for travelers who might have been sojourning across the state. 

Jacob Julian and Sylvester Johnson both hailed from Centerville, Indiana. They founded Irvington in 1870. Levi Ritter joined the duo as an investor in 1871. (Irvington Historical Society)

Julian, Johnson, and Ritter followed the Glendale plan of meandering streets. The romantic design had become popular in the United States. Crown Hill Cemetery, begun in 1863, had a similar plan. Homeowners in the new suburb were required to plant trees. Towering oak, maple, catalpa, elm, ash, and sycamores grew into incredible canopies providing pleasant shade for future residents. Many of the new neighbors possessed cows that were allowed to graze in the public green spaces. Sheep, horses, and chickens were also allowed within the town limits although many spats in the neighborhood over the animals spilled into the local press.  

The investors touted the possibility that a female seminary would be placed in the north circle although none ever materialized. Each person who built in Irvington was required to spend from $2500 to $10,000 on their homes. George W. Julian, the brother of Jacob Julian, spent $18,000 on his own home at 115 South Audubon Road (then called Central) in 1873. He rued the cost of his new residence and in his journal called the builders "scalawags." For most families in the 1870s, Irvington was out of financial reach. It largely became an exclusive enclave for white and Protestant families during the early years. Although few in number, some African Americans moved into the neighborhood and lived along the fringe in small houses. Many worked for the wealthy white families nearby. 

James Downey, the son-in-law of Jacob Julian, built one of the first homes in the neighborhood when he erected this Second Empire residence in 1871 on the northwest corner of East Washington Street and Audubon Road (then Central). Mr. Downey was a major promoter of the neighborhood during the early years. He and his wife, Mary Julian Downey, built an even larger brick home at what is today University Avenue and Downey Avenue. The nearby street was named for the family.

Jacob Julian moved into his beautiful home at 29 South Audubon Road (then Central) on October 24, 1872. Sylvester Johnson lived in a home that mirrored Julian's at 26 South Audubon Road. (photo courtesy of Isabel Layman Troyer) 

As the sounds of workmen building gorgeous villas on large lots emanated throughout the bucolic community, a startling development took place in 1873 that rocked Irvington and sent one its founders, Jacob Julian, into financial ruin. Economic malaise began in Europe and spread to the United States where investors had over-speculated on land near rail lines. Banks failed and it sent the country into the greatest depression it had ever experienced until an even bigger crisis came along in 1929. For Jacob Julian, it must have been a bitter moment. He had speculated on land all over the state of Indiana. He managed to hold on until 1876, but then was forced to declare bankruptcy. Some wondered if the new town would survive. Talks had been underway to lure a college into the neighborhood. Could that save the town?

Stay tuned for more posts on Irvington's 150th birthday. 

In 1897, the Indiana Woman profiled Irvington. Many of the early homes can be seen in this edition. The Irvington Historical Society has reproduced copies of the publication for sale at the Bona Thompson Center. 

Sources:  Information regarding James E. Downey: ad in the Indianapolis News, May 11, 1872; Downey home: "Death of Mrs. Downey, Wife of One of the Projectors of Irvington," Indianapolis News, October 14, 1898; Downey-Hibben home on University: Grace Julian Clarke, "Some of 'Original' Irvington's History Recalled by House Razing," Indianapolis Star, May 26, 1929

Sources regarding Jacob Julian: Obituary--"Death of Jacob B. Julian, An Aged Lawyer and Life-Long Indiana Resident," Indianapolis News, May 26, 1898; Moving to Irvington--Cambridge City Tribune, October 31, 1872, 1; Bankruptcy--"Petition in Bankruptcy," Indianapolis News,  September 4, 1876

Sources regarding Levi Ritter: New Plat--Indianapolis News, September 16, 1871; First home in Irvington--"Old Ritter Homestead, First House Built After Establishment of Irvington," Indianapolis Journal, June 28, 1903

George W. Julian house price and scalawag quote--Patrick Riddleberger, George Washington Julian, Indianapolis, 1966, 278. 

Sources regarding early Irvington:  "Hear Irvington History Retold," Indianapolis Star, August 29, 1912; Layout and future depot--Cambridge City Tribune, January 26, 1871; Paul Diebold, Greater Irvington, 1997; Gertrude Hecker Winders, A Glimpse of Irvington Then and Now, 1870-1970, 1970; Larry Muncie, Irvington Stories, 1992; Larry Muncie, Irvington: Three Windows on Irvington History, 1989

      

Johnson and Julian Avenue Scenes Mid-1950s

Shortly after starting his new job with the Selective Service Administration in 1952, George H. Warner purchased the beautiful home at 66 Johnson Avenue. Mr. Warner, a veteran of World War II, had been employed with the Illinois Central Railroad from 1935 until 1952. One of his earliest tasks in his new position with the Selective Service System was to find jobs for conscientious objectors. Around 800 young men in Indiana needed placement and it was Captain Warner's job to find them positions in various hospitals or churches throughout the state. While he was at work, Louise Warner stayed at home and raised the couple's two children, Stephen and Anne. The Warners could easily get to church as the Irvington Presbyterian Church was just across the street. They remained in the home for about eleven years. Mr. Warner passed away in 1962 and the family continued to dwell in the house for another year before Mrs. Warner listed it with Charles B. Campbell, a local realtor.

Images from the Warner family collection show snowy and summer scenes in the 1950s at the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues.

An unusual fall snowstorm hit Irvington on November 1, 1954. A member of the Warner family at 66 Johnson Avenue documented the moment. 

Christmas 1955 at 66 Johnson Avenue--Pictured:  (Back row left to right) George H. Warner, Harlan Haworth; (Middle Row left to right) Louise Warner, Ethel Haworth, Ellen Sommerville; (front row) Anne Warner 

Anne Warner posed in her front yard at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1954. Other homes visible in the photo include both 58 and 54 Johnson Avenue.

Anne Warner stood in her front yard at 66 Johnson Avenue during a snowstorm in 1954. Behind her, you can see the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues. 5603 Julian Avenue is the most visible home in the image. 

George H. Warner built a snowman with his children, Anne and Stephen, in the side yard of their home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1955. Behind the family, you can see some of the homes in the 5500 block of Julian Avenue. 

Little Anne Warner posed with a neighborhood cat in the summer of 1955 next to her home at 66 Johnson Avenue. 

On a hot summer day in 1955, Steve Warner, Anne Warner, Dorothy Reasoner, and Larry Reasoner jumped into a kiddie pool in the side yard at 66 Johnson Avenue 

Steve Warner (front and lower left) posed with his many buddies at his home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1958. If you recognize any of these children, drop me a note at the e-mail listed on the side of the page and I will add their names!

Anne and Steve Warner posed next to their home at 66 Johnson Avenue in the summer of 1955. 

Wintry Scene 1954: A member of the Warner family snapped this snowy scene from the family home at 66 Johnson Avenue. In the photo, you can see the Irvington Presbyterian Church and the residences located in the 5600 block of Julian Avenue. 

66 Johnson Avenue in the waning days of 2019. 

I wish to thank Steve Warner for his generosity for the use of the photos. I also wish to thank Paul Diebold.

Sources: "Job Assignment for Objectors Begins," Indianapolis News, August 21, 1952, 29; Sale of home: "Sold the House," Indianapolis Star, October 20, 1963, 37.

Christmas in Irvington--1962

Nearly two inches of snow covered the rooftops and yards of Irvington homes on Christmas morning in 1962. For a little while during the day, the sun came out and folks like the Warner family at 66 Johnson Avenue grabbed their cameras and documented the gorgeous but cold day. The morning headlines in the Indianapolis Star mainly focused on Christmas, but there was a story about a prisoner swap with Cuba after the botched Bay of Pigs invasion. Icy road conditions troubled many travelers who had to get out on the highways on that day. At the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues, in a beautiful American Four Square, the Warner family opened their gifts and prepared the Christmas meal. George Warner worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and later the Indiana Selective Service while his wife Louise stayed home and raised the couple's two children, Anne and Steve.
 
Photos from that day show both interior and exterior shots of the Warner home as well as Johnson and Julian Avenue scenes. Interior images reveal the beautiful china that Mrs. Warner set out for the meal and the real Christmas tree next to the fireplace. Historian Paul Diebold, who now lives in the house along with his wife Peggy, was thrilled to see the original leaded glass windows that were formerly located next to the fireplace.

Time travelers from 1962 would easily recognize many of the landmarks along both streets. At least one house is still painted the same color nearly 60 years later.

66 Johnson Avenue on Christmas Day, 1962: You can also see the residences north of the Warner home along Johnson Avenue and the bungalow west of the their house on Julian Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Aiming for the sky: A member of the Warner family documented the snow in a nearby tree at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1962. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Johnson Avenue on Christmas Day, 1962. In the photo, you can see the Maplewood Apartments that housed many Disciple of Christ missionaries north of the Irvington Presbyterian Church. Beyond the apartments, you can see both 33 and 27 Johnson Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Mrs. Warner prepared a beautiful table for the Christmas meal. The candles were lit and the butter was on the table. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Julian Avenue on Christmas Day, 1962: A member of the Warner family stood in their yard at 66 Johnson Avenue and aimed the camera east along Julian Avenue. The home most visible is that of 5603 Julian Avenue although many others on the south side of the street can also be seen. Off in the distance, you can see the rear of 108 South Audubon Road. The Irvington Presbyterian Church likely had either already held a service that day or would soon after the photo was snapped. Along the street, you will note the beautiful 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air parked nearby. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

The Christmas Tree at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1962: Note the leaded glass window that used be next to the fireplace. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold) 

Time for the gifts:  The Christmas tree in the Warner home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1962. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold) 

Photos and information about this post are courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold.