Scenes Along East Washington Street--1940s, Part I

      John and Janice Kern lived in the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later 5128) from 1942 until 1948. During that era they also welcomed a son named James R. Kern. Photos from the Kern family documented their life along that busy street. While the photographers generally captured people, they also inadvertently documented several houses and at least one business. Let's take a stroll down the 5100 block of Washington Street in 1947. 

5118-20 East Washington Street

     The Rahn family occupied both sides of the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street in 1947. Alf Rahn lived at 5118 while Lester and Mildred Rahn resided at 5120. Lester Rahn served as an assistant cashier for Indiana National Bank. He was a rising star in that organization and was still on his upward trajectory in 1947. If the Rahns looked out their living room window on a winter's day, they might have seen a young James Kern walking along the sidewalk. 

James R. Kern posed with his new toy in January of 1948. Behind him, you can see the double located at 5118-20 East Washington Street. 

James R. Kern took a tumble in January of 1948. You can see the corner of the Victoria Apartments at 5124 East Washington Street (later 5128) and the double located at 5118-20 East Washington Street.

Janice Wayman Kern posed along East Washington Street c1945. Behind her, you can see the sign for the Mobil Gas Station that used to operate at 5104 East Washington Street. You can also see the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street and the Victoria apartment building at 5124 (later 5128) East Washington Street. 

Two members of the Wayman-Kern families walked down the stairs leading to the Victoria Apartments at 5124 (later 5128) East Washington Street. You will note that there used to be an empty lot just to the west of the apartments. Construction of a brick double there later prompted city officials to renumber the Victoria Apartments to 5128 East Washington Street. You can also see the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street. 

5118-20 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

5132-34 East Washington Street

     The double at 5132-34 East Washington Street appeared in numerous Kern family photos due to its proximity to the Victoria Apartments next door. The extended Warrick family resided at 5132. Brothers Harold C and Forrest E. along with their sister, Dorothy, and their widowed Aunt Cassie Rowlette all dwelled in the double in the late 1940s. The Warricks also rented a room to a young woman named Annatasia Corrington, who would later marry Harold Warrick.   

     Mrs. Mary C. O'Donnell, whose husband, Terrence J. had died suddenly in 1944, was the mother of seven children. She resided at 5134 East Washington Street in 1947. The O'Donnells were members of the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. 

Three women from the Wayman-Kern family stood in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments c1945. The woman facing the camera is most likely Virginia Wayman. Behind the ladies, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

Janice Wayman Kern held her baby, James R. Kern, on April 10, 1947, in front of the Victoria Apartments. Behind the pair, you can see the double located at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

James R. Kern stood in front of his home at the Victoria Apartments in 1948. You can also see the double located at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

John Wilbur Kern posed with his son, James R. Kern, in front of the Victoria Apartments in 1947. Behind them, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

Sisters Janice Wayman Kern and Virginia Wayman, posed in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments c1945. Behind them, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street.

An unidentified woman stood in the front yard of the Victoria Apartments c1945. Behind her, you can see the double at 5132-34 East Washington Street. 

5132-34 East Washington Street on November 1, 2024

Next Up: Scenes Along East Washington Street, Part 2

Sources: Polk's Directory for Indianapolis, 1947; Rahn family--"Lester H. Rahn Rites Saturday," Indianapolis News, March 31, 1977, p. 3; Warrick family--US Federal Census, 1950; "Harold C. Warrick," obituary, Indianapolis Star, August 18, 1970, p. 25; O'Donnell family--"Awarded Bronze Star," Indianapolis Star, June 29, 1952, p. 17; Obituary for Terrence C. O'Donnell, Indianapolis Star, November 6, 1944, p. 13.

A Note About the Photos: I found these images in an antique shop in Indianapolis. I would be happy to donate these photos back to a family member. Contact me on the email listed on this page.

East Washington Street Double 1949 and 2015

In 1949, Samuel Wheeler posed for this photo next to his Ford Coupe in the driveway of 5115 East Washington Street. This home is no longer standing.  To his left, you can barely see the brick American Four Square at 5117 East Washington Street. It was at that point in its history the Blackwell Funeral Home.  Behind him, you can see the facade of the double at 5118-20 East Washington Street.  The Wilkens and Rahn family dwelled in that double throughout much of the 1950s.  Although a Bradford Pear Tree in the parking lot of the Speedway Gas Station made it impossible to capture the exact view in 2015, I tried to stand close to where Mr. Wheeler stood sixty-six years ago.

Samuel Wheeler posed next to his 1949 Ford Coupe. The white clapboard house to his right  (our left) was located at 5115 East Washington Street and is no longer standing.  

5118-20 East Washington Street in 2015

The historic image is courtesy of the Wheeler family via Ancestry.com.