Irvington at 150: Street Names N-R

In part four of five in our series on Irvington street names, we continue to explore the history of various avenues throughout the neighborhood. When the city annexed Irvington in 1902 officials consolidated names to reflect the nearby matching street. However, there are several unique names that began in Irvington. A California city, a constellation, a popular tree, local families, and a beloved Hoosier poet all have a home on street signs in the historic suburb.  

New York Street: Formerly called Shank Street after a prominent local family, the city of Indianapolis changed the name in 1909 to coordinate with New York Street, which originates downtown. The Shanks owned several acres at the intersection of Arlington and Washington Streets in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 

Norway Drive: William Alexander and Flora McDonald Ketcham, who founded the Irvington neighborhood of Pleasanton, named one of their streets "Norway." Mr. Ketcham, a Civil War veteran and leader in the Grand Army of the Republic, received front page news when he passed away suddenly in 1921. In none of his lengthy biographical profiles is there mentioned a connection to the nation of Norway. Mrs. Ketcham passed away in 1938. She also appears to have no connection to Scandinavia. Since they named the other two streets after trees, perhaps Norway refers to a spruce or maple. 

Oak Avenue: The beautiful winding street known as Oak Avenue was likely named after the majestic trees still present in the 1870s when the neighborhood was platted. Some of those specimen still exist in 2020. Generations of families have resided and played under these ancient trees. East of Arlington Avenue, the city renamed Third Street as Oak Avenue as well. 

Chuck Vogt posed with his sister, Jane, and his new bike under the giant oak tree near 5733 Oak Avenue in 1947.  Behind the siblings, you can also see the residence at  5728 Oak Avenue. (photo courtesy of Chuck and Joyce Vogt)

Ohmer Avenue: Nicholas Ohmer was a very early investor in Irvington. A resident of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Ohmer and possibly his brother George Ohmer, built 312 Downey Avenue in 1873. The beautiful Second-Empire style, a French design, was in vogue when the brothers built the elegant brick home. Mr. Ohmer was a horticulturalist and likely became involved in the neighborhood due his connection with Sylvester Johnson, a founder of Irvington. There is little evidence that Mr. Ohmer lived in the house and if he did then it was for a brief period of time. His primary residence was located at 1350 Creighton Avenue in Dayton. Both he and his brother George also operated a series of restaurants throughout the Midwest in or near train stations including one in Union Station in Indianapolis. When Ohmer's Irvington home was restored in 1966 the residents of the neighborhood decided to interpret the house from the Benton family's tenure in the home. A nearby street was named for Mr. Ohmer and local historian, Steve Barnett, has discovered that part of Julian Avenue was also named Ohmer. Both the house in Dayton and his creation in Irvington are on the National Register of Historic places. Not many Americans can claim that honor. Furthermore, Mr. Ohmer built his own suburb around his orchard in Dayton in the 1880s and it also bears his name as Ohmer Park. 

Nicholas and Susanna Spratt Ohmer of Dayton, Ohio: Mr. Ohmer built what would become known as the Benton House at 312 South Downey Avenue in Irvington in 1873. Mrs. Ohmer's brother, Thomas B. Spratt also became an early investor in Irvington. (photo courtesy of Ohmer family via Ancestry.com)

Nicholas Ohmer built this beautiful home for his very large family at 1350 Creighton Avenue in Dayton, Ohio in 1864. He also founded the suburb of Ohmer Park in Dayton. (Screenshot of home)

Some accounts note that George Ohmer, the brother to Nicholas, helped in the investment of 312 South Downey Avenue (the Benton House). He became quite wealthy as he operated numerous restaurants around train stations in the Midwest. He is given credit for helping both Thomas Taggart, an Indiana politician, and inventor Thomas Edison early in their careers. (photo courtesy of Ohmer descendants via Ancestry.com)

Named for the Benton family who dwelled here in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the house was built by Nicholas and George Ohmer in 1873.  (photo by Wm. Gulde, spring 2020)

Orion Avenue: The Irvington Town Board reached for the stars in 1898 when they renamed Nora and Water Streets after the constellation. (Indianapolis News, November 8, 1898, 12)

Pasadena Street: At about the same time that the first residents started to build houses in Irvington in the early 1870s, a different group of Hoosiers moved to southern California and founded the city of Pasadena. They wanted to name their new home the Indiana Colony, but that name was rejected by the US Post Office so they settled on the Chippewa name that literally means "crown of the valley." Nearly fifty years later when developers east of Irvington needed a new street name, they chose "Pasadena." By the late 1920s, the Stradley, Thomas, and Goodnough families lived in charming bungalows and Tudor-Revival cottages along the new street just north of Washington Street. 

Pleasant Run Parkway: Noted landscape architect, George Kessler, began his tenure with the city of Indianapolis in 1907 and worked with officials through 1915. He had already designed boulevard systems in Kansas City and Cincinnati. In 1909, he presented a bold plan to the city that linked green spaces with winding boulevards that followed streams or rivers. Irvington became part of that plan when Mr. Kessler proposed Pleasant Run Parkway along the Pleasant Run stream. Although his vision was not completed until the late 1920s, boulevards like Fall Creek Parkway, Brookside Parkway, Kessler Boulevard, and Pleasant Run Parkway are some of the most beautiful in the city of Indianapolis. 

Poplar Road: When William Alexander Ketcham and his wife Flora McDonald Ketcham platted Pleasanton in 1915, they named one of the streets after a genus containing 25-30 species--Poplar. By the early 1920s, middle class families began building along the beautifully planned street. Reflecting the modern era in which the residences were built, several of the families along Poplar had a portre cochere attached to the side of their homes. 

Evelyn Schneider posed with her doll in 1925 in front of her home at 327 Poplar Road. The Schneiders were among many families who moved into new homes in the Pleasanton neighborhood of Irvington. To see more images of this street, click on the "Poplar Road" tab below. (Photo courtesy of Bill Ferling)

Rawles Avenue: Lycurgus Rawles joined Jacob Julian and several other investors in developing southern Irvington in 1873. His death at age 38 in that year ended his brief tenure in the venture. His father, John Rawles, stepped in and served as the administrator of his estate by selling off lots. More research is needed on this family, who seemed to have more connections to Lafayette than they do to Irvington. To honor the Rawles family, early developers named a street for them connecting South Arlington Avenue to Audubon Road.  In 1903, the city renamed Trislar Avenue west of Audubon Road and east of South Ritter Avenue as Rawles Avenue as well.

John Rawles, the father of Lycurgus Rawles, sold off his son's remaining real estate after Lycurgus passed away in 1873. (Ad in The Indiana Sentinel, March 22, 1876) 

Ridgeview Drive: When the Buckeye Realty Company under the leadership of John Chilcote developed the Irvington Terrace neighborhood in 1913, they originally named this street as Kensington presumably after the palace in England. Several families sought to build their own modest "palaces" along the street. R.L. Castle erected many of the residences. In October of 1916, the city of Indianapolis changed the name to the generic Ridgeview Drive. They also changed nearby Eldridge to Kenmore Road. 

An ad in the Indianapolis News, November 15, 1914, (39) for 319 North Ridgeview Drive, formerly addressed as 95 Kensington Avenue. 

Riley Avenue: Beloved Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, would have still been alive when the Irvington Town Board honored him by naming a street Riley Avenue sometime around the turn of the century.  While the avenue today is most associated with the Emerson Heights neighborhood, it originated north of Washington Street and began life as Summit Avenue. In 1898, the Irvington Town Board considered calling it Appian Way after the famous the Roman road, but eventually Riley Avenue won the day. We do not know if Mr. Riley ever visited the stretch named for him. Further research is needed! 

James Whitcomb Riley (public domain)

Ritter Avenue: When Levi Ritter purchased over 80 acres of land in Warren Township in 1869 he had the idea of owning a Jersey cattle farm. His vision changed once he heard that Jacob Julian and Sylvester Johnson were planning to develop a suburb next to his acreage. Mr. Ritter built a large home for his family on the southwest corner of East Washington Street and what was to become "Ritter Avenue." According to a 1903 Indianapolis Journal article, old growth trees, iron weed, and "red-topped" thistle dominated the landscape around the family. On September 16, 1871, Mr. Ritter platted the first addition to the new suburb of Irvington. He kept the original plan in place with winding streets. Although it is difficult to imagine today, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Julian, and Mr. Johnson kept a fully-stocked horse stagecoach barn on the northeast corner of East Washington Street and Ritter Avenue. After Mr. Ritter's death in 1893, his widow, Caroline Ritter continued to live on the site until she sold the property to the Indianapolis Public Schools in 1903. IPS #57 has operated continuously on the Ritter land since 1904. 

Sources:  Larry Muncie, Three Windows on Irvington History, 1989; George Kessler--Paul Diebold, Greater Irvington II, 2020; Rawles--"Administrator's Sale, Indianapolis News, March 22, 1876, 2; Ridgview Drive--""Taxi Men Oppose Rate Ordinance," Indianapolis News, October 3, 1916, 11; Riley Avenue--"Call it Audubon Road," Indianapolis News, January 17, 1903, 2; Ritter Avenue--"Old Ritter Homestead: First House Built After Establishment of Irvington," Indianapolis Journal, June 28, 1903, 8.

Who Lived Here? The Osborne Family of Poplar Road

In 1925, Thomas C. and Ethel Claffey Osborne moved into their two-year-old home at 411 Poplar Road in the brand new Pleasanton section of Irvington. Mr. Osborne had earned a comfortable living as a broker who distributed fruits and vegetables. The Osbornes dwelled in one of the larger homes in the new suburb of Irvington. Their lovely four-bedroom American Four Square also had a porte-cochère for guests as they pulled into the drive. Many other homes in Pleasanton also had this feature. In 1926, Mr. Osborne posed for a photo for a book called Fellow Citizens of Indianapolis. His business was likely doing quite well during the Roaring 20s. The 1930 Federal Census reveals that the Osborne home was worth $10,000. The couple had two children, a boy and girl, both named after their parents--Thomas and Ethel. 

In 1934, at the height of the Great Depression, Mr. Osborne died at the age of 49 in his home. Mrs. Osborne managed to keep the house through these very difficult times. She began working and also moved her mother, Johanna Claffey, into the residence. On Christmas Day in 1938, the Indianapolis Star reported on the joyful wedding of Ethel, her daughter, to the Reverend Joseph Edwards at the Shelby Street Methodist Church. Her new son-in-law and daughter moved into the Poplar Road house. In the following year, her son, Thomas also married and he too brought his new bride back to the house. The 1940 Federal Census reveals a full house! Two married couples, one grandson, along with Mrs. Osborne and her mother now lived in the Four Square. Like most Irvington homes, the Great Depression had affected the value of the home as it dropped to $7,000 in 1940.

Mrs. Osborne married a man named William Mize and continued to reside at 411 Poplar Road until 1953. City directories reveal that after this date she lived alone and on Emerson Avenue. She died in 1972. 

411 Poplar Road in 2016

World War II and Irvington

Hundreds of young Irvington residents served their country during World War II. Life magazine came to the neighborhood in the middle of the war and did a story on the widows and parents who lost a son in either the European or Pacific theater of the war. Those photos will be forthcoming.

A much happier photo will suffice for today, as a proud sailor named Tom Ferling holds his newly-born son. His wife, Evelyn Schneider Ferling, lived with her parents while her husband was away at war. He was granted leave time to visit his recently-born son, William or Bill, in April of 1944. Tom, Evelyn, and baby Bill are standing at the edge of the Schneider family home's sidewalk at 327 Poplar Road. Behind the couple, you have a nice view of 324 Poplar Road. You will note from the contemporary photograph taken in the winter of 2012, that the home behind them has been significantly changed since 1944.

Fortunately, Tom Ferling returned home safely from the war. He and his new bride eventually settled along Beechwood Avenue in Irvington. The historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Poplar Road--1937 and 1945

Previous posts revealed images of Poplar Road in the 1920s. By the 1940s, you will note that the trees had matured and that some of the same families still called the neighborhood home twenty years later. The Schneiders first moved into 327 Poplar Road in 1923. They would remain until the 1970s. By the 1940s, the Schneiders welcomed their first grandchild to Poplar Road.

In the top photo, extended family members gather along the southside of the Schneider home on Christmas Day in 1937. In the second photo, William Schneider appears to be handing something to his grandson, Bill Ferling, in April of 1945. Behind them, you can see 333, 337, and 339 Poplar Road. In the bottom photo, Bill Ferling takes a ride down Poplar Road on his tricycle. It looks like this photo was taken on the same day in April of 1945. Many houses along the east side of Poplar can be seen in this photo. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Poplar Road Scenes--1925/1926/1935

Poplar Road winds through the small enclave of Pleasanton in western Irvington. The street cuts through the center of the neighborhood and intersects with Maple and Norway. Although the subject of the photos is usually Evelyn Schneider of 327 Poplar Road, you can get a glimpse of several other houses north of the Schneider home. All of the homes visible in today's post are bungalows and sit at 327, 333, 337, and 339 Poplar Road.

In the top photo, Evelyn Schneider poses with her doll. Behind her, you can see the newly built house at 333 Poplar Road. In second photo, taken around 1925, Evelyn poses with a neighborhood cat after a snowfall. She is sitting in front of her childhood home at 327 Poplar Road.

In the third photo, Evelyn Schneider poses with her good friend Virginia Buddenbaum after a snowstorm. The residents along Poplar Road have already done their civic duty and shoveled the sidewalks. The photo was likely taken around 1926. Behind the girls, you can see 333, 337, and 339 Poplar Road. In the bottom photo likely shot around 1935, a taller Evelyn Schneider plays with her dog "Gobi." Behind her, you have a nice view of 333 Poplar Road. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Pleasanton was not originally included within Irvington's National Register boundaries in 1987, but it should have been. That oversight has been rectified and it is now included as of 2010. Dan Marshall, a Pleasanton resident, is compiling a history of the neighborhood. Drop him an e-mail if your family has lived here as he would love to hear from you. Dan may be contacted at irv1870@yahoo.com.

Fun Ride With a Goat! 1925

Little Evelyn Schneider of 327 Poplar Road enjoys her ride in a wagon being pulled by a goat. An entrepreneur likely brought the goat into the neighborhood and offered families the chance to get their photo taken with the animal. Evelyn clearly enjoyed the experience. The Schneiders dwelled in a lovely bungalow in the Pleasanton section of Irvington. You may learn more about this family by clicking on the link below. The historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Two Early Views of Pleasanton--1923

These historic photographs reveal an emerging neighborhood in 1923. Pleasanton had only begun as a development only a few years prior to these snapshots. One of the earliest families to call Pleasanton home were the Schneiders. They dwelled at 327 Poplar Road for decades. The home appears to have been built by Samuel Montgomery, who also saw to the construction of two other homes along the street.

In the top photo, little Evelyn Schneider enjoys the snow. Behind her sit vacant lots that would later host several homes along Poplar Road and Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. The two houses visible in the background are 341 Poplar (built by Samuel Montgomery) and 5246 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. I have included that same view in 2012. I have also included a contemporary view of the stately brick American Four Square at 5246 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive.

In the second historic photo, you will see Evelyn standing in front of her home at 327 Poplar Road with her mother, Myrtle Schneider, and aunt looking on. The two houses behind the women are the rear views of 5224 and 5228 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1923. Although the rooflines are different, you will note that the houses are surprisingly similar. I have included a street view of those two homes in 2012 so that you can see the same is true of the front of the dwellings as well. The main entrance to both homes is on the south side away from the street. The historic images are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Dan Marshall, a Pleasanton resident, is compiling a history of the neighborhood. If you have any interesting stories or photos please contact him at irv1870@yahoo.com . (You can clearly see that he is an Irvington historian with this e-mail!) More photos of this charming section of Irvington will be forthcoming.

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.

Emerson Avenue Baptist Church Groups

The Emerson Avenue Baptist Church has been a part of the Irvington area since 1913 and on the northwest corner of Emerson Avenue and East New York Street since 1921. The current structure at 306 N. Emerson was remodeled in 1958. All of the photos posted today are images of various Sunday school groups from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. If you recognize any of the folks in the photos, drop us a note so that we can identify them!

In the top photo, a group of Sunday School kids pose for a photo in 1921. The only child identified in this photo is Evelyn Schneider, who is the third child from the left in the bottom row.

In the middle photo, a women's group affiliated with the church, pose in the backyard of someone's home. The photo was likely taken around 1930. The only person identified is Myrtle Schneider, who is seated on the ground in the front row and at the left. It is possible that she was hosting the event at 327 Poplar Road.

In the bottom photo, members of a graduating Sunday School class pause for a photo in October of 1949. Note that the church used to be brick. Today it is clad in stone. A very young Bill Ferling stands in the top row of the photo. Mr. Ferling also graciously loaned the photos for this post.

Sledding in Ellenberger Park--1925

William Schneider and his daughter, Evelyn, pose for a photo in 1925 towards the bottom of the Ellenberger Park sledding hill. The Schneiders had recently moved into their newly-built home at 327 Poplar Road in the Pleasanton section of Irvington. The family could have easily walked to the park from their house. This historic image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

A Bike Ride Through Irvington--1937

Evelyn Scheider, the daughter of William and Myrtle Schneider, grew up in the Pleasanton section of Irvington at 327 Poplar Road. This lovely part of the neighborhood is just east of Emerson Avenue, one block north of East New York Street, and just south of Michigan Street. In this photo, Evelyn at the far left, poses with her friends just as they begin to embark on a bike ride on June 12, 1937. We have the first names of the young women, but not the last names so if you recognize anyone please let us to know. Besides Evelyn, they are listed as Vera, Mary Jean, Kathryn, Wanda, and Phyllis. Both houses in the photo are standing and are now part of the Pleasanton National Register Historic District. This wonderful photo is courtesy of Bill Ferling.