A Brand New Car Along Oak Avenue--1936

Frank and Helen Olson proudly stood next to their new 1936 Plymouth sedan parked in the driveway of their home at 5966 Oak Avenue.  Mr. Olson needed a car large enough to transport his golf clubs as he was avid about the sport.  The Olsons did not dwell in the American Four Square for long as they later built a home at 322 North Audubon Road in 1940.  You can read more about the Olsons by clicking on the link below.  A contemporary photo shows the home on a cold December morning in 2014.

Frank and Helen Olson in front of new Plymouth at 5966 Oak Avenue

5966 Oak Avenue in 2014

The historic image is courtesy of Richard Olson via Ancestry.com.  

A Life Cut Short

Frank Olson, an Indiana University Law School graduate married Helen McCarty in 1927. The couple immediately started a family and would eventually have two sons.  Mr. Olson loved to golf and could be seen at several nearby courses on the weekends.  Mrs. Olson volunteered at the Irvington Methodist Church and stayed home to raise the children. Mr. Olson worked for the Department of Public Service Company in the auditing division.  The family weathered the Great Depression and by 1939 they built a modest brick bungalow at 322 North Audubon Road.  They were just starting to realize their dreams when Mr. Olson died in 1940 at the age 38 from a short illness.  He had only lived in the house for a brief time.  Mrs. Olson and her two sons continued to dwell in the cottage.  Eventually, the boys grew up and moved out.  Mrs. Olson remained a widow for the remainder of her time in the home, which lasted until the 1970s.  The house is in mint shape in 2014 and looks much the same as did it after it was first built over seventy years ago.

Frank Olson (322 North Audubon Road) obituary photo in 1940

Time for Golf:  Frank Olson in 1940 in front of newly-built 322 North Audubon Road.

322 North Audubon Road in 2014.  

The historic photo and information are courtesy of the Olson family via Ancestry.com