Life Along Dewey Avenue

The Schweiters family dwelled in the bungalow at 6076 Dewey Avenue for decades. They raised their two daughters, Barbara and Dorothy, in the dwelling and the family watched as the city line near their home moved to the east as a result of the Marbar development. Photographs from the Deedee Davis collection reveal snapshots of life along the quiet street in the early 1940s.

Dorothy Schweiters looked on as her daughters, Barbara and Dorothy, posed along their front walk at 6076 Dewey Avenue in 1943.

Little Barbara Schweiters posed for this snapshot near an unidentified neighbor sometime during the winter of 1940. Behind the young girl, you can see the houses on the north side of Dewey Avenue looking towards Arlington Avenue. The Ricketts, Brennen, Spitzer, and Ashcroft families might have been home when this photo was taken of their front yards and porches. 

Little Barbara Schweiters of 6076 Dewey Avenue ran towards the photographer on a winter's day in 1940. Behind her, you can see the city line of Indianapolis and the open farmland beyond Sheridan Avenue. The Turk, Maloy, Harrison, and McVey families dwelled along the north side of Dewey Avenue and might have noticed the photography session. 

Irene Spitzer (6064 Dewey Avenue), Mary Jo Harding, Barbara Schweiters, and Dorothy Schweiters gathered for this photograph on September 19, 1944, in front of the Schweiters family home at 6076 Dewey Avenue.

Hugh Maloy--on the top step (6104 Dewey Avenue), Ann Shumaker, Dorothy Schweiters, and Barbara Schweiters gathered at 6076 Dewey Avenue in the winter of 1945.  

Barbara Schweiters stood in front of the family home at 6076 Dewey Avenue on February 7, 1943.

The Schweiters family home c1950 on a lovely summer's day....

The historic photographs and stories are courtesy of Deedee Davis. 

These Scouts Were Prepared!

Eight scouts from Mr. Smith's Sunday School class at the Irvington Presbyterian Church went on an adventure sometime in the summer of 1910.  The young men ranged in age from 10 to 12 and dwelled in southern Irvington.  In the top row, starting at the left, John Wamsley (5718 Oak Avenue) stared pensively at the photographer.  He was one of the few boys not holding a prop.  Next to him, Walter McCoy proudly held a baseball for a future game.  In the middle, a formidable Albert Stone (5927 Rawles Avenue) grasped a gun for the hunt. Next to him, Harold Wilson (5907 Rawles Avenue) displayed an unidentifiable object, and at the end of the row sat Raymond Woods. (308 South Audubon Road) In the front row, Bud Bunnell (5919 Rawles Avenue) practiced tying knots for all to see.  Smiling Walter Porter (342 South Arlington Avenue) was ready for a game of football, while Clyde McVey (211 Good Avenue) showed off the troop knife.

It is unclear as to where the boys gathered on that lovely day.  Behind them, you can see a small cottage and a swing dangles from a high branch.  Over one hundred years ago, a group of Irvington kids sat under a tall tree...

This image is courtesy of Bill Ferling and the Irvington Presbyterian Church.

Spring along Good Avenue--1950s

Peonies emerged on a beautiful spring day sometime in the 1950s on the side lot of 211 Good Avenue. On this site in 1890, used to stand the small McVey cottage. It burned in 1913 so the McVeys just expanded the yard so that they had a double lot for their second home next door at 211. By the 1950s, the Geren family lived on the property. In this photo, you can see the early twentieth century garage and the rear of two homes that face Berry Avenue. You can also see the Pennsylvania Railroad if you look closely. I also distinctly see two yard flamingos! This historic image is courtesy of Lori Malander and the Irvington Historical Society.

Her New Fur Coat

Fur coats were the rage for women during the 1920s. In this photo, a young McVey daughter, possibly Grace, stands in front of her home at 211 Good Avenue around 1924. The photographer is facing north so you can see the coal yard office building along the Pennsylvania Rail Line. In the background, you can see the rear of 5829 Julian Avenue. I have posted that same view in 2012. The historic image is courtesy of Lori Malander and the Irvington Historical Society.

Neighbor Kids and Pet Rabbits

Three neighborhood girls posed for a McVey family member (211 Good Avenue) in the early 1920s with their pet rabbits. One or more of the girls was likely a member of the McVey family. They are standing on the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks just east of Good Avenue. The distant home in the background faces Arlington Avenue. This candid shot is courtesy of Lori Malander and the Irvington Historical Society.

McVey Home in the early 1920s

The McVey tenure in 211 Good Avenue came to a sad end in the 1920s with the death of William McVey of Bright's Disease. These photographs were the last taken of the home by the McVeys. Note that the home was painted a brighter color and that the front garden had become lush. The car visible in the top photo would have belonged to the residents next door and just to the south (217 Good Avenue).

The contemporary photo shows the home during the spring of 2012. The historic images are courtesy of Lori Malander and the Irvington Historical Society.

Early Views of the McVey Home--211 Good Avenue

William T. and Grace E. McVey dwelled at 211 Good Avenue from 1901 through the mid-1920s. William's death in 1922 necessitated the family's move from the cottage. Mr. McVey built the home for his growing family. He had previously erected a smaller house next door at 207 Good Avenue. (demolished) He used salvaged materials to build the home including a beautiful window from the Downey Mansion. The home's design is quite unusual for Irvington.

The historic photos show the home during the early years. Notice that it used to be painted a darker color. The porch has also been changed since those days. In the top photo, Grace poses on the front porch with two of her younger children. She would give birth to twelve in all! Notice the bicycles on the porch behind her.

In the second photo, likely taken in the 1910s, you can see that 207 Good Avenue is completely gone as it burned in 1913. The McVeys planted many trees and shrubs on both lots. You can also see the home south of 211 in the ghostly picture as well. (217 Good Avenue)

In the third photo, an unknown family member stands near the home. This photo was also likely taken in the 1910s. The distant coal yard is barely visible.

The contemporary photo shows the home in the spring of 2012. The historic images are courtesy of Lori Malander and the Irvington Historical Society. To join the Irvington Historical Society go to http://irvingtonhistorical.org

The McVeys of Good Avenue

William Thomas McVey (1866-1922) grew up on a farm along the National Road near Franklin Road. His mother's people, the Askrens, were some of the first white settlers in the area. As a young man, he began working for the Krumrine (also spelled Krumarine) family, who ran a drugstore along Bonna Avenue in Irvington. While working there, he took note of Grace Krumrine (1869-1947), the daughter of the shop owner. They were married on February 27, 1887.

William became a carpenter and he eventually built a small gray cottage at 207 Good Avenue (sometimes known as 209) around 1890 near a coal yard. The couple raised seven children in the tiny home before William eventually built 211 Good Avenue next door in 1901 for $900. Five more children would be born in that home!

Little is known at this time of Grace, but William was a finish carpenter and he helped to complete the Christian Women's Board of Missions Building on University Avenue in 1910. He also helped to build several central Indiana schools including one in Zionsville. Sadly, he developed Bright's Disease and died at the young age of 56 leaving his widow Grace alone to raise the remaining children. City directories reveal that the McVeys moved out of 211 Good Avenue shortly after William's death in 1922. By 1930, the younger children and Mrs. McVey moved in with the older siblings along Dewey Avenue. The youngest daughter Grace, born in 1913, later became a teacher.

The historic images reveal the McVeys in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Most of the photos were likely taken at the first home at 207 Good Avenue. This home burned in 1913 and eventually became part of a double lot for 211 Good Avenue.

In the top photo, William and Grace McVey pose with their oldest children in the yard of 207 Good Avenue. The image was likely taken around 1895. Note the bicycle behind the family.

In the second photo, a young girl sits on a tree stump behind the McVey home. A workshop of some kind or perhaps the first McVey house sits behind her.

The third photo is a portrait of William Thomas McVey taken around 1890. The bottom picture shows Mr. McVey with his tuba. He was part of a small Irvington band and in this picture he stands on the steps of the Bona Thompson Library.

The photos have been handed down from one homeowner to the next. Lori Malander kindly donated copies to the Irvington Historical Society so they could be preserved.

I would encourage every resident of Irvington to join the Irvington Historical Society. This wonderful organization is preserving photos, documents, and art related to the history of the neighborhood. To join go to http://irvingtonhistorical.org