Audubon Road House in the Winter of 1910

      Newspaper accounts reported heavy snows throughout the state of Indiana in January of 1910. Some local officials had to deal with ice jams on various rivers. Cold temperatures forced many residents to remain inside for better weather. In Irvington, a photographer snapped an image for a postcard of the Reverend John H. and Martha Starks Ketcham's home at 23 North Audubon Road. The Ketchams likely purchased duplicates of the photos and sent them out to various family members. Martha or "Mattie" mailed one image to her nephew, Charles E. Anderson in Lathrop, California on January 18, 1910, and included an amusing note. Some words have been added to help with the context although you can read the original unedited note on the card pictured below.

     This is none of your Calif. make-believe snows. Just look at the ice cycles and the depths of the white stuff on my steps. It has been better (deeper) than this(.) It is melting some (as) you (can) see at this time. I am warm enough indoors but venture out very little. I hope you received my Christmas greeting. This is the house that we built. Aunt Mat.

     The Ketchams, who were both in their 70s, purchased the land for their home from Robert C. Browning in the spring of 1907. A blurb in the Indianapolis Star on October 13, 1907, noted that the retired minister and his wife moved from their Martinsville, Indiana house and into their newly-built Irvington home in that month. The Ketchams also sold part of their lot to their daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ketcham Piercy and Joseph W. Piercy, in that same year. In the fall of 1908, the Piercys relocated next door in their newly-built residence at 19 North Audubon Road. You can read more about the Piercy family by clicking on the link below. 

     Mattie Ketcham, the author of the note, had been very busy the previous month as she hosted the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Irvington Methodist Church on December 29, 1909. Each member of the committee answered the roll call with a "bit of Christmas cheer." Mrs. Walter Jenney read "The Christmas Story," while others provided the music. Her husband, the Reverend John H. Ketcham, who although retired, frequently substituted for vacationing or ill Indianapolis ministers. 

     In 1911, the elderly couple said goodbye to their daughter's family next door. The Piercys moved to Bloomington, Indiana due to Joseph Piercy's employment as a professor at Indiana University. They also had to say farewell to their talented granddaughter, Josephine Piercy, who would go on to earn many degrees including a Master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from Yale University. She followed in her father's footsteps and taught at Indiana University. Newspaper accounts revealed that the Piercys came back to stay with the Ketchams for the holidays for numerous years. 

     The couple lived out the rest of their lives in the Audubon Road residence. Both of them lived into their 90s. Mr. Ketcham died in 1922 followed by Mrs. Ketcham in 1933.

Snow fell upon the Ketcham home during the winter of 1910. You can somewhat see the side of 25 North Audubon Road as well as a barn or carriage house.  (courtesy of Kyle Kingen)

Rear of the photo-postcard sent by Martha Ketcham on January 18, 1910 to her nephew, Charles E. Anderson; (courtesy of Kyle Kingen)

Indianapolis Star, March 10, 1933, p. 3

Indianapolis Star, March 2, 1922, p. 9

23 North Audubon Road on November 27, 2024

Thank you: I am particularly indebted to Kyle Kingen, whose keen eye realized that he likely found a photo of an Indianapolis residence. With the aid of super history-sleuth, Deedee Davis, the pair realized that they had uncovered a photograph of a house in Irvington. I thank them both. 

Sources--Rev. J.H. Ketcham--"Dr. J.H. Ketcham, Methodist Pastor 68 Years, Is Dead," Indianapolis Star, March 2, 1922, p. 9; "The Reverend J. B.  (sic) Ketcham Dead at the Age of 90," Indianapolis News, March 2, 1922, p. 7. Martha "Mattie" Stark Ketcham--"Early State Settler Dies at Home Here," Indianapolis Times, March 10, 1933, p. 12; "Mrs. Martha M. Ketcham, Widow of Pioneer M.E. Minister, Succumbs," Indianapolis Star, March 10, 1933, p. 3; Granddaughter, Dr. Josephine Piercy--"Josephine K. Piercy Had Taught English at Indiana University," Indianapolis Star, February 16, 1995, p. 41; 23 North Audubon--"News of the Churches," Indianapolis Star, December 29, 1909, p. 3; Xmas, 1921--"Personal Mention," Indianapolis Star, December 24, 1921, p.44.

Welcome to Pleasanton!

One of the best kept secrets in Irvington is the beautiful little enclave of Pleasanton located east of Emerson and south of Michigan Street. Platted in 1915 by William Alexander Ketcham, the neighborhood has recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Ketcham's plat mirrored Irvington's street design with curving avenues and the planting of shade trees. The housing stock is quite diverse with American Four Squares, bungalows, and various revival styles. Most of the housing went up in the early and mid-1920s. Today the neighborhood is fortunate to have reproduction street lights that add to the charm. In the coming days, you shall see several historic views of this interesting neighborhood. Dan Marshall, a Pleasanton resident, has begun to document the history of the neighborhood. More details on that project will also be posted.

The only historic image for today is that of Evelyn Schneider, who is standing in front of her childhood at 327 Poplar Road in 1925. The Schneiders lived in that bungalow for decades. The historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

The contemporary images were taken on February 20, 2012.