House in Photo Identified

It took me nearly five years, but I have finally identified a house in a photograph from the Ted Lollis collection. In the photo, Ted Lollis and most likely the Seaton twins can be seen racing around a yard on their tricycles. Even though I knew that Mr. Lollis grew up on Julian Avenue, I could not place the house in the photo. Then, it hit me like a thunderbolt. Notice the clothes drying on the line? That meant that we are actually looking at the rear of a house and not the front. The drive that is visible actually goes from an alley to the back of a house. The children were actually playing in the backyard of the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue. The home most visible in the image is that of 5911 Julian Avenue. Since the photo was likely taken around 1942 that meant that the laundry drying on the line belonged to Charles and Genevieve Willis. Mystery solved.

Ted Lollis and Jean and Jane Seaton steer their tricycles in the backyard of the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue in 1942. Behind the kids, you can see the home and laundry of Charles and Genevieve Willis who resided at 5911 Julian Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ted Lollis) 

Google Streetview aided my research efforts. I have marked the Lawton home at 5915 Julian where the kids were playing in the backyard. You will see that the driveway is in the same place as it was in 1942 as it connects to a back alley. If you look closely, you can see that the small back porch that still exists at 5911 Julian Avenue. 

Mary Pulver Stevenson in the late 1930s

Mary Pulver eloped with Robert Stevenson in 1909. The couple eventually settled in Irvington and dwelled in three separate houses together. In 1915, they adopted Robert's ten-year-old nephew, Edward Lollis. The family dwelled at 275 South Audubon Road, 5698 East Washington Street (demolished), and in their final home together at 56 South Irvington Avenue. Mr. Stevenson died in 1939. We do not know the occasion for this photo, but Mrs. Stevenson posed for the snapshot sometime in the late 1930s. Behind her, you can see Julian Avenue when it was a brick street and also the rear of IPS #57.  If you look closely, you can also see some residences along South Ritter Avenue in the distance.  After her husband's passing, Mrs. Stevenson moved to 112 Johnson Avenue where she remained for many years. She taught Sunday school at the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  You may read more about the Stevenson or Lollis family by clicking on the links below.  

Mary Pulver Stevenson (1884-1969) posed for  this image sometime in the late 1930s in her front yard at 56 South Irvington Avenue. Behind her, you can see School #57 and homes along South Ritter Avenue.  

This photo is courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

Winter Fun in 1943 Along Julian Avenue

Ted Lollis, the only child of Edward and Georgia May Lollis, dwelled at 5866 Julian Avenue in 1943. His parents owned the doubles at 5866-68 and at 5872-74 Julian Avenue. After a snowfall in the winter of 1943, young Ted grabbed his sled and enjoyed a ride down the small hill in his front yard. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5854 and 5848 Julian Avenue.

James and Ruby Baker lived in the two-story white house at 5854 Julian Avenue in 1943 along with their two sons, David and John. Mr. Baker was a switchman for the Indiana Bell Telephone Company. He must have been doing well enough in 1940 for the family to afford a live-in maid named Mary Phelps. Next door, in the smaller bungalow, dwelled Miss Clara Steele, a second grade teacher at IPS #78. She frequently housed a lodger and in the early 1940s, her cousin, Edna Dryson, also lived with her.  Had any of these folks looked outside on this wintry day, they would have seen Ted Lollis enjoying the fresh snowfall.

Ted Lollis enjoyed playing in the snow during the winter of 1943. Behind him, you can see his neighbor's dwellings at 5854 and 5848 Julian Avenue.  

Ted Lollis posed for this image in the winter of 1943 in his front yard at 5866 Julian Avenue. Behind him, you can see residences west of his home.  

The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis. Additional information for this post came from the 1940 Federal Census and the obituary of Miss Clara Steele published in the Indianapolis Star in 1991.

Snapshot from 1915 Reveals University Avenue Double

Edward Lollis had only recently moved in with his Uncle Robert and Aunt Mary Stevenson in 1915 at their home at 275 South Audubon Road when this photograph was snapped in the Stevenson's backyard. Young Edward, dressed up in costume, stood near the family garage. Behind him, you can see the rear of 5727 and 5729 University Avenue, a double that had only recently been constructed. The Lollis and Stevenson family is well-documented on this page. Click on the links below to learn more those interesting families.

John and Ida Battenfeld dwelled on the 5727 side of the double in 1915. They had already lived there for two years and would continue to do so for another eighteen years. Mr. Battenfeld was a buyer for the Wm. H. Block's Department Store at the time. They had no children. On the other at 5729, resided John and Louise Isaacs. They had three children, Mildred, Coleman, and John, Jr. Mr. Isaacs sold Ford Automobiles at a dealership in the 1300 block of East Washington Street. The Isaacs quickly outgrew the double and were gone by 1917.

Edward Lollis posed in the backyard of his new home at 275 South Audubon Road in 1915. Behind him, you can see the rear of the double at 5727-29 University Avenue.

The historic photograph is courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

South Audubon Road a Century Ago

Sometime in 1915 a young Edward Lollis posed along the front walk of his home at 275 South Audubon Road.  He had come to live with his Uncle Robert and Aunt Mary Stevenson in that year.  Behind him, you can see the southern edge of the Irving Circle Park. The most visible house in the photo is located at 240 South Audubon Road. Elizabeth Hadley, the widow of William Hadley, dwelled in the home at the time that this photo was taken. Edward grew up in the neighborhood and spent most of the remainder of his life in Irvington along Julian Avenue. To learn more about the Lollis or Stevenson families, click on the links below.

Edward Lollis in front of 275 South Audubon Road in 1915

South Audubon Road scene in 2016

240 South Audubon Road in 2016

 The historic image is courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

Five Years--A Milestone

In late November of 2010, I made the decision to create something I had always dreamed about finding on the internet...a caché of historic photos about the Irvington neighborhood in Indianapolis. For years I had trolled the web searching in vain for photos from this site and that site. No such URL existed nor would there be one until I began Vintage Irvington. Quite frankly, I was not sure if I would be able to last more than a few months, but thanks to the efforts of many current and former residents, the blog is as strong as ever. This entry marks my 653rd post for the site. In the five years that I have been writing Vintage Irvington, there have been 156,555 hits mostly from the United States but many folks stopped by from places like Russia, Latvia, Turkey, Bahrain, and dozens of other nations. Are there former Irvingtonians living in those places?  Thanks to all of you who have contributed over the years. I am very grateful and appreciative.

Highlights from the past year....

Friends Lend Me a Hand

Many of the photos that appear on this site came from friends who have connections to Irvington. Amanda Browning, who writes the Horner House Blog (http://hornerhouseindy.blogspot.com/), has been copiously researching the families who dwelled in her Second Empire style home on South Emerson Avenue. She has been very generous in sharing her images and stories including her notes on the Terrill family who dwelled in several locales throughout the neighborhood. Her haunting images of the "Castle" house at 5631 University Avenue answered many questions about what this house looked like before the Craftsman-era porch was added in the 1910s.

Terrill family home at 5631 University Avenue in 1913 (Photo courtesy of Amanda Browning)

Local historian, Larry Muncie, has been a contributor to this site from the beginning. I have frequently called upon his knowledge and expertise. He grew up in the neighborhood along Beechwood Avenue and has been researching the community for many years. His photo of the Kingsbury home on Layman Avenue now belongs to the Irvington Historical Society. He generously shared it with me last winter.

The Kingsbury Home at 348 North Layman Avenue in 1906 (Photo courtesy of the Larry Muncie Collection at the Irvington Historical Society)

Leslie Wilson and I have worked together for years at North Central High School. She is a cheerful person who cares deeply about young people. I was thrilled to learn that her Mother lived for a brief time in Irvington and that she was married in the Irvington Methodist Church. Leslie generously shared many photos from that period of her Mom's life.

Merry Jo and Walter Carey on their wedding day at the Irvington Methodist Church on May 16, 1948. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Wilson)

My neighbor, Janet Wilzbacher, led me to the Glore family of Beechwood Avenue.  Janet lives in the former Glore family bungalow and still keeps in touch with the former residents. She led me to Kathryn Glore Wright, who shared stories and images of their tenure along that street.

James and Marjorie Glore moved in 5702 Beechwood Avenue in 1939 and the house remained with the Glores until 1986. (Photo courtesy of Kathryn Glore Wright)

Chance Encounters Yield Results

A lost dog led me to George William Long, IV.  During a late evening walk, a man on a bike stopped me to ask if I had seen his dog.  "Sorry," I reported, "but I have not." I walked on along Oak Avenue and sure enough I spotted his wayward pooch. "You are coming with me," I announced as I hauled the dog back to his worried owner.  Soon, I learned that Mr. Long's grandparents had dwelled on South Audubon Road and that he had a photo of them hanging in his house. He generously loaned me the image and I posted it that night.

Barbara and George Long posed with their son, George,Jr., in front of their home at 346 South Audubon Road on May 30, 1948.  (Photo courtesy of George William Long, IV)

Perhaps the most unusual encounter occurred last winter at the end of a day filled with adventure. My neighbor and friend, Bill Jensen, noticed that a snapping turtle was trapped in between two logs in Pleasant Run. He asked me if I would be brave enough to help him free the turtle, but he also warned me of the perils that faced us. They are called "snapping" turtles for a reason. After we successfully liberated the poor tired creature, we encountered Norman Warrenburg, who was having a smoke break along the stream. His wife was patiently waiting for him in the car. My neighbor struck up a conversation with him and quickly surmised that he was talking to a lifelong Irvington resident. I didn't know it then, but I was about to obtain the most popular photo in the blog's five-year history. Mr. Warrenburg noted that his brother had a large 1920s-era aerial photograph of the North Irvington Garden District. The photo was so large that I had to scan it into several sections. I then posted it with some local house histories and then something happened that doesn't very often...one of my posts went viral. As of this writing, the photo has received over 1100 hits. Turtles and dogs came to my aid this year.

Aerial Shot of the Irvington Garden District--1925 (Photo courtesy of the Warrenburg Family)

The Mother Lode of Photos

Often times, I have made connections through Ancestry.com.  Last winter I managed to contact a person on that site and she led me to Steve Koepper, who grew up in a modest bungalow on East Tenth Street. I didn't know it then, but I was about to obtain an incredible collection of mid-twentieth century photographs documenting the lives of an Irvington family. Norman and Lora Koepper raised their three children at 5263 East Tenth Street. Mrs. Koepper, the family documentarian, took hundreds of photographs and kept records of every household expense. Steve Koepper and his sister Susan Koepper Foster loaned me photograph after wonderful photograph. Birthday parties, Christmas celebrations, and magical snowfalls all appeared on Vintage Irvington. I especially loved this collection because it captured the everyday lives of a family.

Norman and Lora Koepper posed for this photograph in the living room of their home at 5263 East Tenth Street in 1954. Also pictured in this photo included Steve (seated), Sue, and Paul Koepper (Photo courtesy of Steve Koepper)

The Koepper family on Easter Day in 1956 in the backyard of their home at 5263 East Tenth Street. (left to right) Steve, Sue, Norman, Lora, and Paul.  (Photo courtesy of Steve Koepper)

In the spring, I managed to make a connection with Steve Lawton, who briefly dwelled in Irvington as a toddler. Although his family did not reside in their Julian Avenue home for long, he generously loaned me photos from his youth. The Lawtons resided at 5915 Julian Avenue from 1939 to 1945. I had no way of knowing it then, but I was soon to meet a childhood neighbor of Steve's and that encounter would lead me to the largest collection of photos I had ever come across.

Bill Lawton, the brother to Steve Lawton, and Ted Lollis played in the sandbox in the backyard of the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue in 1940. Little Ted lived next door at 5919 Julian. (Photo courtesy of Steve Lawton) 

Ted Lollis grew up in various houses along Julian Avenue. When I first contacted him, he indicated that most of his scrapbooks were put away in a shed on his property. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would most likely not get access to those images as Mr. Lollis lived in Tennessee.  Then, out of the blue, I received an exciting e-mail. Mr. Lollis and his wife would be passing through Indiana to attend a conference on peace in the beautiful village of New Harmony.  He agreed to drive to Irvington for the day! The couple are much involved in the peace movement and Mr. Lollis has spent much of his life documenting peace monuments around the world. His website on the topic is the only known such repository on the internet.  He brought several packed and I do mean packed scrapbooks filled with historic images of Irvington and of his family's cottage in Michigan. We spent several hours combing through those scrapbooks. His father had been raised by a wealthy uncle and a dutiful aunt, whose time in Irvington dates to the early twentieth century. The scrapbooks contained dozens of images of families and homes along South Audubon Road, East Washington Street, Julian Avenue, and Johnson Avenue. In two of the images, I had even spotted my own home. After we examined the scrapbooks, we meandered along the streets and quiet alleys of the neighborhood. We managed to gain access into one of the family homes. Although he had not lived in the neighborhood in decades, Mr. Lollis had not forgotten anything. We even found a secret opening at the rear of a yard in one of his childhood homes along Julian Avenue. Mr. Lollis generously gave me access to any image I wanted for the site and I spent most of last summer blogging about his various family lines. Both he and Steve Lawton have lived remarkable lives since leaving the neighborhood. To visit Mr. Lollis's peace site click on this link:  http://peace.maripo.com/

The Stevenson family home at 5698 East Washington Street has been gone since 1928. Robert and Mary Stevenson enjoyed living in fine homes and owning fancy cars. They raised Edward Lollis, the orphaned nephew of Mr. Stevenson, in several Irvington homes. This photo was taken in 1913. (Photo courtesy of Ted Lollis) 

Edward and Georgia May Lollis moved into 5919 Julian Avenue in 1937. Shortly after settling in, Mrs. Lollis walked through each room and snapped photos like this one of the living room. (Photo courtesy of Ted Lollis)

Mary Stevenson, the aunt to Edward Lollis, likely took this photograph of the first Irvington Presbyterian Church at 55 Johnson Avenue around 1917. (Photo courtesy of Ted Lollis)

Mary Stevenson took this wonderful photograph of her grand nephew, Ted Lollis, in 1946 on her stoop at 112 Johnson Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Ted Lollis)

An Incredible Family

Over the years, I have spent many pleasant mornings dining in Dufour's Restaurant located 5648 East Washington Street. I had known that the Dufours were a large Catholic family and that they lived in Irvington. I had made overtures to meet some of the family, but I did not follow up. Then, on a spring afternoon I happened to walk by the establishment just as it was closing. Outside, Maria Dufour, the current chef and owner, was cleaning up. She offered to invite me to dessert with as many siblings as she could round up to talk about her family's story. We met several weeks later at the restaurant and gathered around the large table that used to sit in the family home at 53 North Audubon Road. The Dufour children spoke lovingly of their parents, Lawrence and Nell Dufour. Mr. Dufour earned a comfortable living selling supplies for industrial kitchens. He traveled around the state and the Midwest. Mrs. Dufour stayed at home and raised the couple's ten children! I met most of them on that beautiful spring day. They spoke of their mother's cooking, the laundry that never ended, playing outside and with whom. They remembered favorite neighbors and unusual features about their home on North Audubon Road. We laughed as they recalled pranks played upon one another and about Saturday nights where popcorn became a bedtime snack. One daughter, Sussanne, brought her mother's journals and allowed me access to these precious primary sources for the blog. Others brought photographs, including Lenore, the oldest sibling. It was a gift that I had the opportunity to meet Lenore as she passed away in September. I dedicate this entire blog post in her memory.

Lenore Dufour posed for this photograph at the Dufour family home at 53 North Audubon Road on Easter Day, 1961. This entire post is dedicated to her memory. (Photo courtesy of the Dufour Family) 

Putting Out Fires

Terry Wilgus, who lived for a part of her life along Lowell Avenue in the Irvington Terrace area loaned me several photos that belonged to her father, Robert McDonnell, an Irvington fireman. One of her photos was shocking and showed a small plane that had crashed into house at 354 North Bolton Avenue on June 20, 1953. She also gave me some incredible shots of the old fire station that used to sit at 5432 East Washington Street. There may be other photos from her collection so I always look forward to messages that I receive from her!

On June 23, 1953, a small plane crashed into 354 North Bolton Avenue. Fireman, Robert McDonnell can be seen on the roof trying to save the pilot and co-pilot. Amazingly, the pilots survived. (Photo courtesy of Terry Wilgus)

Two Interesting Ladies

Last winter I was invited to speak to a group of Howe High School graduates from the class of 1952. One of those attending was Diana Wilkens, who grew up in the area. Although it took us a few months, Diana eventually reached out to me and offered photos of her time spent on Linwood Avenue, Washington Street, and East Ninth Street. I found her story compelling as she left Irvington for New York City where she worked for an ad agency. During this tenure of her life, she met many important people in both the fashion and publishing world. Circumstances brought her back to Irvington and away from her exciting life in the Big Apple. She drove from Greenfield to Irvington to loan me her collection. I am so fortunate to run into kind people like Diana.

Diana Wilkens posed for this photo in 1954 at her family's home at 5120 East Washington Street. She would soon depart for New York City. (Photo courtesy of Diana Wilkens)

On the day that I met Nancy Ostrander, the United States and Cuba had just normalized relations. Why, you ask, would I mention this point on a blog post about Irvington? It turns out my timing could not have been more perfect. I met Nancy Ostrander on her front porch along with her favorite neighborhood cat. "See that," she pointed to a color photograph of an American soldier raising the Stars and Stripes in Havana, Cuba on the cover of USA Today, "behind the solider, you can see the apartment where I lived when I worked for the U.S. State Department before the arrival of Castro." I had heard from some of my neighbors that Ms. Ostrander was the "most accomplished" person living in the neighborhood and after meeting her, I can say without hesitation that they are correct. Nancy grew up along North Audubon Road and was raised with a cousin by her widowed mother. After graduating from Howe High School and Butler University, she left Indianapolis for Cuba to find work with the embassy. She worked her way through the State Department and eventually became the U.S. Ambassador to the South American nation of Suriname in 1978.  I met her on that front porch several times and we spoke little of her accomplishments and more about her life along Audubon Road.

Nancy Ostrander posed with her beloved "Koko" in front of her residence at 323 North Audubon Road in 1933. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Ostrander)

Yes, there will be a sixth year...

I have no idea how long I can continue to find incredible people like the folks mentioned above, but in the five years that I have been writing this blog there have been just as many each year. I am always on the hunt for more images of this very unique and interesting neighborhood. If you know of someone I should speak to, please drop me an e-mail at williamfranklingulde@gmail.com

Candid Photo: Mrs. Lawton Walks Home-1940

Emma McCord Lawton dwelled at 5915 Julian Avenue from 1939 to 1945 along with her husband, Burrell, and her two sons, William and Stephen. She had formerly worked for the Gregory and Appel Insurance Company but resigned in 1937 to start a family and raise her two sons. Living next door, in the summer of 1940, was the Lollis family.  In August of that year, a member of the Lollis family--most likely Mrs. Lollis--snapped this photo of Mrs. Lawton walking back to her home.  Behind her, you can see the Lantz family residence located at 5914 Julian Avenue. The Lawtons moved to Colorado in 1945. To learn more about the Lawton or Lollis families click on the links below.

Emma McCord Lawton walked to her home at 5915 Julian Avenue in the summer of 1940.

The Lantz family dwelled across the street from the Lawtons at 5914 Julian Avenue in 1940.  (photo: November 1, 2015)

The historic image is courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

South Audubon Road Scenes--1940s

Carrold and Blanche Bastin Stevenson leased a double at 72 South Audubon Road from 1943 until 1951. Mr. Stevenson was a pipe fitter and later a foreman for the New York Central System Rail. The Stevensons had extended family members living in Irvington. They would eventually move to Euclid Avenue just west of the neighborhood. Photos likely taken by Mary Stevenson of 112 Johnson Avenue not only show family members, but also nearby houses. Joanne Stevenson, the daughter of Carrold and Blanche Stevenson, was the subject of many of the photos. Another family member, Ted Lollis, who lived at 5866 Julian Avenue, can be see with Jerry Land. Behind the boys you can see the Layman mansion at 29 South Audubon Road as well as homes at 55 and 61 South Audubon Road.

Jerry Land and Ted Lollis stood on the sidewalk of 72 South Audubon Road c1944. Behind them, you can see the Layman mansion at 29 South Audubon Road and the Westover home at 55 South Audubon Road. In the distance you can see the Audubon Court Apartments. 

Betrand Jonathan and Maude Darnell Westover moved into this beautiful home at 55 South Audubon Road in 1924. Other families had dwelled there like the Gordons and Duwars, but the Westovers remained until 1970. The couple raised their two children here and in 1943 they carved the grand home up into at least four apartments. They named the house the Westover Apartments and they moved into a downstairs unit. While the abode began as a single family residence, it has been home to apartment dwellers for most of its existence.  

Carole Sue Stevenson of 72 South Audubon Road posed in the front yard c1948. Behind her you can see the house at 61 South Audubon Road.  

Joanne Stevenson posed (on the right) with a friend c1948 in the front yard of 72 South Audubon Road. Behind her you can see the homes at 61 and 55 South Audubon Road. You can also see an open lot where 63-65 South Audubon Road sits today. 

Pliny and Maud Wolfard were not the first to dwell at 61 South Audubon Road, but they certainly lived here a long time. The Wolfards set up housekeeping at this residence in 1930 along with their two children, Margaret and Philip.  Mr. Wolfard passed away first, but Mrs. Wolfard continued to dwell in the bungalow until 1967.   

Joanne Stevenson in her Girl Scouts uniform posed for this photo c1944 in the front yard of 72 South Audubon Road. Towering trees spanned the street during this era. 

Joanne Stevenson held her sister, Carole Sue Stevenson c1947, in the front yard of 72 South Audubon Road. Behind her you can see the open lot of what today houses a small brick double at 63-65 South Audubon.  

Joanne Stevenson posed with her sister, Carole Sue, c1947, in the front yard of 72 South Audubon Road. Behind her you can somewhat see the front porches at 68 and 60 South Audubon Road.

Ennis Stevenson, the brother to Carrold Stevenson, posed for this photograph c1944 along the front sidewalk of the Stevenson home at 72 South Audubon Road. Behind him, you can see the brick bungalow at 69 South Audubon Road (formerly numbered 65 South Audubon Road). Many families had dwelled in that home by the 1940s.  In 1944 the Rumrills lived there. Mr. Rumrill was "traffic motorman."  Mrs. Rumrill continued to reside at that corner as a widow for many years. Note the wonderful street light on the corner!  

69 South Audubon Road in 2015

The American Four Square double at 72 South Audubon Road and 5654 Julian Avenue in 2015

    To learn more about the extended Stevenson/Lollis or Layman family click on the links below. The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

Saying Goodbye to Their First Home--1941

Edward and Georgia May Lollis first moved into 5919 Julian Avenue in 1937. They brought their newborn child, Ted, into the home in the same year.  Ever the shrewd investor, Edward Lollis had already purchased two doubles at 5866-68 and 5872-74 Julian Avenue in 1936.  Mr. Lollis convinced his wife to move into one side of one of the doubles. Leaving the house might have been bittersweet for Mrs. Lollis as her large furniture would now have sit in a much smaller space. Not many people were buying and selling property during the Great Depression, but Mr. Lollis managed to make everything come to fruition.  He taught his son that once you get a good job you do everything you can to keep it.  With the steady income from his insurance job and from his renters, Mr. Lollis was able to make other key investments.  On May 11, 1941, the family left the large American Four Square at 5919 Julian Avenue for good.  Mrs. Lollis insisted on documenting the day so that her son would know about his first childhood home.  She started with photos of the interior of the house and then of each family member standing in front of the house.

Edward Lollis stood in front of 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941. 

Ted Lollis smiled for his family in front of his first home at 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941.

Georgia May Lollis stood along the front walk of 5919 Julian Avenue on May 11, 1941. Behind her, you can see the residences at 5925 and 5929 Julian Avenue.  

5919 Julian Avenue in the spring of 2015.  

The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis.

A Pair of Doubles Along Julian Avenue

In August of 1936, Edward and Georgia May Lollis purchased two doubles at 5866-68 and 5872-74 Julian Avenue. The couple had moved down the block into 5919 Julian Avenue, but by 1941 they decided to settle into 5866 Julian Avenue to free up money for future investments.  Mr. Lollis was particularly interested in purchasing farmland in a nearby county.  The backyards of the two doubles were quite deep so young Ted, the son of Edward and Georgia May, and his playmates had plenty of room for adventures. The backyards of the doubles abutted an empty lot with a small pond along East Washington Street in what would later be the site of the Mohawk Manor and now the Irvington Lofts. Eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Lollis sold 5866-68 to Otis Becker and moved into 5872 Julian Avenue.

5866-68 Julian Avenue in August of 1936

5866-68 Julian Avenue in August of 1936

The rear of 5872-74 (on the left) and 5866-68 Julian Avenue in August of 1936

5866-68 Julian Avenue in 2015

5872-74 Julian Avenue in 2015

The historic photographs are courtesy of Ted Lollis.

An Early Snowstorm--1938

Temperatures began to drop in Indiana on Tuesday, November 22, 1938. By nightfall the wind picked up and the snow arrived in Indianapolis.  By the morning of November 23, city residents awoke to four inches of snow. The Indianapolis Star reported that the snow had caught the state off guard. Dozens of residents flocked to service stations to place anti-freeze in their vehicles.  Slick roads made last minute preparations for Thanksgiving that week very difficult.  A giant car show at the Fair Grounds still went on and plenty of folks attended the event. Most travelers still made it to their Thanksgiving destinations. One Irvington family did suffer a tragedy that week. Vigil McDermid of 5376 Burgess Avenue died after sliding off a road in northern Marion County. The fifty-four-year-old man, was a father of three and worked as a salesman for the Pearson Piano Company.

On Julian Avenue, Edward and Georgia May Lollis welcomed Malcolm Benjamin Campbell and his wife Bessie Fields Campbell from Yakima, Washington. Georgia May Lollis was the niece to the elderly couple who were in town to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Lollises'. Mr. Campbell was 81 and Mrs. Campbell was 69. Excited by the new morning snowfall, the families left the warmth of 5919 Julian Avenue to document the early snow.

Photos from the snowy day, show not only the Lollis and Campbell families, but also some of the nearby properties.

Georgia May Campbell Lollis beamed as she held up her baby, Ted, and stood next to her aunt and uncle, Malcolm and Bessie Campbell on November 23, 1938.  The car belonged to the Campbells, who were most likely either in route or coming back from Nova Scotia to visit relatives. The most visible home in the photo (behind the Campbells) was that of 5884 Julian Avenue. Emil and Esther Bjorklund dwelled in that house in 1938.

Edward Lollis had to shovel the sidewalks before going to work on November 23, 1938. Mr. Lollis took the streetcar to his office. He generally left his car in the garage. Behind him, you can see the bungalow at at 5922 Julian Avenue. George and Jessie Thompson lived at that address. Mr. Thompson ran a grocery store at 3116 East Michigan Street.  

Georgia May Lollis and Ted Lollis stood outside on a cold and snowy morning on November 23, 1938.  Behind them you can see Bernard home at 5925 Julian (soon-to-be-Seaton home) and a temporarily vacant house at 5929 Julian Avenue.  

The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis.  To see more images from this block click on the Lawton or Readle family links below.  

Sources: "Skidding Mercury Brings Snowfall," Indianapolis Star, November 23, 1938, 1; "City to Keep Snow Coating Over Holiday," Indianapolis Star, November 24, 1938; "Virgil McDermid Salesman, Dies," Indianapolis Star, November 25, 1938.