Ellenberger Park--1944

      In January of 1944, Janice and John W. Kern, along with an unidentified family member, walked in Ellenberger Park. Pockets of snow can still be seen on the ground. Both ladies posed next to the pedestrian bridge that spanned Pleasant Run at the time. Mr. Kern's snapshot revealed homes in the 5300 block of East St. Clair Street. 

Janice Wayman Kern posed near the pedestrian bridge at Ellenberger Park, January, 1944.

An unidentified Wayman sister posed near the pedestrian bridge at Ellenberger Park, January, 1944.

John Wilbur Kern posed with a dog in Ellenberger Park, January, 1944. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5302, 5308, 5312, and 5316 East St. Clair Street.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page. 

Scenes Along East Washington Street--Part II

     John W. and Janice Kern resided in the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later numbered as 5128) from 1942 until 1948. Family snapshots show several East Washington Street scenes. Most of the shots were taken in 1947. The couple later moved north of Irvington to 3550 North Riley Avenue where they remained for decades. 

5136-38, 5140 (Muriel Apartments), 5148-50, and 5206-08 East Washington Street

     In the center of the photographs below, you will see the Muriel Apartments. First constructed in 1928, the two-story brick structure was at capacity in 1947. There was still a housing shortage in the US leftover from the Great Depression and World War II so the landlord of the Muriel or of the nearby duplexes had no trouble finding renters. 

Janice Wayman Kern (on the right) posed with an unidentified woman c1947 along East Washington Street. Behind the ladies, you can see the duplex at 5136-38 East Washington Street; the Muriel Apartments at 5140 East Washington; and the second story of the double located at 5148-50 East Washington Street. 

An unidentified woman posed with her 1941 Ford Super Deluxe c1947. Behind her you can see the properties located at 5136-38, 5140, 5148-50, and 5206-08 East Washington Street. 

5117 East Washington Street

     The beautiful American Four Square at 5117 East Washington Street first appeared in Irvington in 1918. A writer for the Indianapolis Star noted that Charles Edgar Bates designed the residence for John Larrison. Mr. Bates used "variegated" red brick on the outside and red tile for the roof. Inside, he designed a brick fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases. He added exposed wooden beams into the dining room ceiling for a "Flemish effect." Family members walked up and down an ornamental staircase. 

     By 1947, Francis and Anna Wilhelm resided at 5117 East Washington Street. Mr. Wilhelm, a builder, had already made a name for himself in the state of Indiana. He would later go on to build many iconic structures like the Expo Center in Indianapolis, the Music and Arts Center at Indiana University, the Chemistry building at Purdue University, and dozens of  Catholic schools. His firm was only nine years old when Mrs. Wayman posed for the photograph below. 

Floy Barnard Wayman, the manager of the Victoria Apartments on East Washington Street, stood along the sidewalk c1947. Behind her, you can see the residence at 5117 East Washington Street. The Wilhelms lived in the house at the time. 

5117 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

5129 East Washington Street: Texaco Service Station

     George B. Keller operated the Texaco Service Station on the southeast corner of East Washington Street and Spencer Avenues. He also owned another nearby gas station at Arlington Avenue and Washington Street. The business made the headlines in 1943 when burglars broke into the building at night and stole gas ration coupons, cash, and a cigarette vending machine.  Mr. Keller owned this particular station until 1972. 

Janice Wayman Kern stood in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments in 1947. Behind her, you can see the former Texaco Service Station at 5129 East Washington Street and the west side of the LaMae Apartments at 5143 Street. 

Three unidentified people stood on the sidewalk leading to the Victoria Apartments. Behind the group, you can see the service station located at 5129 East Washington Street. That building was later torn down for a restaurant. 

5129 and 5143 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

5143 East Washington Street: The LaMae Apartments

     The LaMae Apartments (now called Irvington Villas) located at 5143 East Washington Street opened in the fall of 1927. Builder and designer, John H. Larrison, held an open house on November 27, 1927, so that potential renters could tour the eight units. Twenty one years later, the building still looked much the same as it did in the roaring 20s. The LaMae appeared in several Wayman-Kern family photos from the late 1940s. 

Little James ("Jimmy") R. Kern rode his tricycle along East Washington Street in 1947. Behind him you can see the LaMae Apartments at 5143 East Washington. 

An unidentified girl held James R. Kern's hand on October 4, 1947. Behind the kids you can see the LaMae Apartments at 5143 East Washington Street. 

Janice, John, and James Kern sat on a bench at the Victoria Apartments while an unidentified young girl stood nearby on October 4, 1947. If you look closely, you can also see the duplexes located at 5201-03 and 5205-07 East Washington Street. 

Sources:  5117 E. Washington St.--"New Residence on the East Side Is a Model For Attractiveness," Indianapolis Star, February 2, 1919, p.32; Wilhelm family--"Francis Wilhelm of Building Firm Dies," Indianapolis News, December 6, 1976. p. 17; Texaco Gas Station--"George B. Keller" (obituary), Indianapolis News, April 18, 1989, p. 34; "Filling Station Robbed," Indianapolis Star, November 29, 1943, p. 18; LaMae Apartments--"Apartments Shown Today," Indianapolis Star, November 27, 1927, p. 35.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page.

Scenes Along East Washington Street--1940s, Part I

      John and Janice Kern lived in the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later 5128) from 1942 until 1948. During that era they also welcomed a son named James R. Kern. Photos from the Kern family documented their life along that busy street. While the photographers generally captured people, they also inadvertently documented several houses and at least one business. Let's take a stroll down the 5100 block of Washington Street in 1947. 

5118-20 East Washington Street

     The Rahn family occupied both sides of the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street in 1947. Alf Rahn lived at 5118 while Lester and Mildred Rahn resided at 5120. Lester Rahn served as an assistant cashier for Indiana National Bank. He was a rising star in that organization and was still on his upward trajectory in 1947. If the Rahns looked out their living room window on a winter's day, they might have seen a young James Kern walking along the sidewalk. 

James R. Kern posed with his new toy in January of 1948. Behind him, you can see the double located at 5118-20 East Washington Street. 

James R. Kern took a tumble in January of 1948. You can see the corner of the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later 5128) and the double located at 5118-20 East Washington Street.

Janice Wayman Kern posed along East Washington Street c1945. Behind her, you can see the sign for the Mobil Gas Station that used to operate at 5104 East Washington Street. You can also see the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street and the Victoria apartment building at 5124 (later 5128) East Washington Street. 

Two members of the Wayman-Kern families walked down the stairs leading to the Victoria Apartments at 5124 (later 5128) East Washington Street. You will note that there used to be an empty lot just to the west of the apartments. Construction of a brick double there later prompted city officials to renumber the Victoria Apartments to 5128 East Washington Street. You can also see the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street. 

5118-20 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

5132-34 East Washington Street

     The double at 5132-34 East Washington Street appeared in numerous Kern family photos due to its proximity to the Victoria Apartments next door. The extended Warrick family resided at 5132. Brothers Harold C and Forrest E. along with their sister, Dorothy, and their widowed Aunt Cassie Rowlette all dwelled in the double in the late 1940s. The Warricks also rented a room to a young woman named Annatasia Corrington, who would later marry Harold Warrick.   

     Mrs. Mary C. O'Donnell, whose husband, Terrence J. had died suddenly in 1944, was the mother of seven children. She resided at 5134 East Washington Street in 1947. The O'Donnells were members of the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. 

Three women from the Wayman-Kern family stood in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments c1945. The woman facing the camera is most likely Virginia Wayman. Behind the ladies, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

Janice Wayman Kern held her baby, James R. Kern, on April 10, 1947, in front of the Victoria Apartments. Behind the pair, you can see the double located at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

James R. Kern stood in front of his home at the Victoria Apartments in 1948. You can also see the double located at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

John Wilbur Kern posed with his son, James R. Kern, in front of the Victoria Apartments in 1947. Behind them, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

Sisters Janice Wayman Kern and Virginia Wayman, posed in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments c1945. Behind them, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street.

An unidentified woman stood in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments c1945. Behind her, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

5132-34 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

Next Up: Scenes Along East Washington Street, Part 2

Sources: Polk's Directory for Indianapolis, 1947; Rahn family--"Lester H. Rahn Rites Saturday," Indianapolis News, March 31, 1977, p. 3; Warrick family--US Federal Census, 1950; "Harold C. Warrick," obituary, Indianapolis Star, August 18, 1970, p. 25; O'Donnell family--"Awarded Bronze Star," Indianapolis Star, June 29, 1952, p. 17; Obituary for Terrence C. O'Donnell, Indianapolis Star, November 6, 1944, p. 13.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page.

1940s-Era Snapshots From the Victoria Apartments on East Washington Street

      In the spring of 1928, contractors for the Southern Building Corporation began construction on two brick apartment buildings in the 5100 block of East Washington Street.  Developers called one of the structures the "Muriel" and the other unit, the "Victoria." Both have housed dozens of Irvington residents over the decades. 

     Twelve years after the Victoria opened its doors, sixty-one-year-old Floy Barnard Wayman and two of her adult daughters, Virginia and Janice, moved into unit number 3 in 1940. Mrs. Wayman, a divorcee, had worked for her entire adult life, and took the position as the manager of the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street. (later renumbered as 5128) Her daughter Virginia worked as a teacher while Janice was employed as a stenographer. They paid $45 dollars in rent. 

     Life changed for the women when twenty-four-year-old Janice Wayman married John Wilbur Kern at the Irvington Presbyterian Church on May 16, 1942. The young couple moved into Unit No. 1 of the Victoria where they remained until after World War II. Their first child James R. Kern arrived on September 3, 1946. The family documented little "Jimmy" in several photos around the Victoria. Sadness overtook the Waymans and Kerns in 1949 with the passing of Floy Barnard Wayman at the age of 70. By the end of the decade, none of the family remained in the apartments. 

The bridesmaids for Janice Wayman gathered in front of the Victoria at 5124 East Washington Street (later numbered as 5128) on May 16, 1942. She married John W. Kern at the Irvington Presbyterian Church. Pictured (left to right): Alice Wayman Trent (her sister), Charlotte Bullerman (sister-in-law), Virginia Wayman (sister), Randalyn Kern (sister-in-law), Frances Beale Kern (sister-in-law)

Floy Barnard Wayman not only lived in the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later 5128), but she also managed the building. This photo was likely snapped c1945 in front of the building. 

Janice Wayman and John Wilbur Kern posed for this photo in March of 1942 in front of the Victoria Apartments in Irvington. They married two months later. 

John Wilbur Kern posed in front of the Victoria Apartments (currently 5128 East Washington Street) where his fiancee, Janice Wayman lived with her mother and her sister in 1942. 

Little James R. "Jimmy" Kern rode his tricycle in front of the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (now 5128) in 1947. 

Janice Wayman Kern posed possibly with two nieces in 1947 in front of the Victoria Apartments in Irvington. 

John Kern posed with his fiancee, Janice Wayman inside her mother's apartment at the Victoria. (current address is 5128 East Washington Street)

An unidentified Wayman or Kern family member reads a "picture book" inside Floy Barnard Wayman's apartment at the Victoria in Irvington in 1942. 

Virginia Wayman held her nephew, James R. Kern, in 1947 on the steps leading up the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street. (now 5128)

Virginia Wayman (left) posed with her sister, Janice Wayman Kern, and another unidentified women in front of the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (currently 5128) c1949. Behind the women, you can also see the double located at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

The Victoria Apartments at 5128 East Washington Street (formerly 5124) on November 1, 2024.

Next Up: Scenes Along East Washington Street

Sources:  1940 and 1950 Federal Census; Polk's Indianapolis City Directories; Information on the Victoria and Muriel: "Increase Shown in Realty Sales," Indianapolis Star, May 6, 1928, p. 36; "Activity Marks Realty Market," May 20, 1928, p. 12; Marriage--"Janice Wayman Becomes a Bride," Indianapolis News, May 16, 1942, p. 14.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page. 

A Veteran in Ellenberger Park

      I do not know the name of the young man in this photo. Who is he? On the back of the photo, someone has written "January, 1944" so I know exactly when it was snapped. I also recognize the homes behind the young veteran as the 5300 block of East St. Clair Street. Is he coming or going off to war? Perhaps he is on leave. The dog is also not identified, but on the rear of the image someone has jokingly referred to the beautiful pet as a stray. I found this photo in a box of snapshots in an antique mall in Indianapolis. If you recognize the young man or perhaps his line of service, then drop me an e-mail or make a comment below this post. 

Mystery Solved! The veteran in the photo has now been identified as John Wilbur Kern of 5128 East Washington Street, Apartment #1. 

John Wilbur Kern posed with a dog in Ellenberger Park, January, 1944. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5302, 5308, 5312, and 5316 East St. Clair Street.

Handwriting on the rear of the photograph.