Ellenberger Park--1944

      In January of 1944, Janice and John W. Kern, along with an unidentified family member, walked in Ellenberger Park. Pockets of snow can still be seen on the ground. Both ladies posed next to the pedestrian bridge that spanned Pleasant Run at the time. Mr. Kern's snapshot revealed homes in the 5300 block of East St. Clair Street. 

Janice Wayman Kern posed near the pedestrian bridge at Ellenberger Park, January, 1944.

An unidentified Wayman sister posed near the pedestrian bridge at Ellenberger Park, January, 1944.

John Wilbur Kern posed with a dog in Ellenberger Park, January, 1944. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5302, 5308, 5312, and 5316 East St. Clair Street.

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. 

A Veteran in Ellenberger Park

      I do not know the name of the young man in this photo. Who is he? On the back of the photo, someone has written "January, 1944" so I know exactly when it was snapped. I also recognize the homes behind the young veteran as the 5300 block of East St. Clair Street. Is he coming or going off to war? Perhaps he is on leave. The dog is also not identified, but on the rear of the image someone has jokingly referred to the beautiful pet as a stray. I found this photo in a box of snapshots in an antique mall in Indianapolis. If you recognize the young man or perhaps his line of service, then drop me an e-mail or make a comment below this post. 

Mystery Solved! The veteran in the photo has now been identified as John Wilbur Kern of 5128 East Washington Street, Apartment #1. 

John Wilbur Kern posed with a dog in Ellenberger Park, January, 1944. Behind him, you can see the houses at 5302, 5308, 5312, and 5316 East St. Clair Street.

Handwriting on the rear of the photograph.

Kids Photographed Along St. Clair Street 1948

Sometime in the winter of 1948, Ann Schmidt and her good friend, Marcia Shick, grabbed their cameras and snapped photos of their little brothers and sisters next to the Schmidt family Buick parked near St. Clair Street. Ann Schmidt lived at 5702 East Pleasant Run Run Parkway North Drive and Marcia Shick lived nearby at 5728 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. The car in the photos belonged to Dr. Henry Schmidt. For many years the frugal optometrist took the streetcar or other modes of transportation to work. After World War II ended, he decided to buy the used Buick seen in the photos. In some of the images, you can see the rear of the residences at 804 and 814 North Audubon Road.

Maureen Schmidt, Marcia Shick, and Ann Schmidt posed next to the Schmidt family Buick in the driveway at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in the winter of 1948. Behind the kids, you can see the rear and side of the Vroom family home at 814 North Audubon Road. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Carl and Maureen Schmidt posed with their neighbor Peter Shick in 1948. The kids are standing next to the Schmidt family Buick at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Marcia Shick photographed Peter Shick, Carl Schmidt, and Maureen Schmidt at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Behind the kids, you can see the rear of 804 and 814 North Audubon Road. Ann Schmidt likely took this photo of her friend snapping this picture in the winter of 1948. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Editor's Note: 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway is now numbered as 5701 East St. Clair Street. I would like to thank Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw for their contributions to this series. 

Historic Wallpaper Revealed

Sometime in the late 1930s or early 1940s, Dr. Henry Schmidt of 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive put up wallpaper in the family's dining room.  Early Americana on wallpaper was quite popular in the mid-twentieth century. Dr. Schmidt likely purchased the mass-produced mural from a local store or a catalog. For years, members of the Schmidt family treasured the scene. In the tableaux, you can see a two-story colonial home surrounded by shrubbery and a fence. In front of the house and along the road, people sit in a horse-drawn carriage. Nearby, you can see a church steeple. The idealized image is similar to the earlier and popular Currier and Ives prints of the late nineteenth century. As the image began to fade, members of the family carefully and artfully touched up the colors. Thankfully, the Schmidt family documented the wall as the mural-paper was later removed.   (Editor's Note: The address of 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive changed to 5701 East St. Clair Street in the mid-1960s.)

Carl and Pat Schmidt posed in the dining room at the Schmidt family home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive c1947. Dr. Henry Schmidt most likely put up the wallpaper in the early 1940s. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Dr. Henry Schmidt posed with his son Carl c1946 in the dining room at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Behind them you can see interesting mural-wallpaper. It has since been removed. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Annabelle Early posed with her great grandchildren c1975 in her daughter's home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive (later changed to 5701 East St. Clair Street) Behind the group, you can see the beautiful wallpaper in the dining room. Family members treasured the scene and touched it up as it began to fade. The children in the photograph are: seated in the chair-- Shannon Foley; seated at the table--Chris and Debbie Schmidt (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

Little research seems to have been done on mass-produced twentieth century wallpaper, but the Old House Journal did publish an interesting overview recently. I have included that link. I am indebted to Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw for providing the stories and photos.

https://www.oldhouseonline.com/interiors-and-decor/guide-to-20th-century-wallpaper

Winter Scenes Along Pleasant Run Parkway

Winter in Irvington has always been a beautiful time to grab the camera and capture the newly-fallen snow. The Schmidts, who dwelled at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive, filled their scrapbooks to document these moments. Dr. Henry and Isabelle Early Schmidt moved into the house in the latter part of 1937 and immediately fell in love with the acreage on a winter's day. Their children, Ann, Maureen, Carl, Pat, and Jill had the perfect sledding hill as the property sat high above the Pleasant Run stream.  Fallen logs, gorgeous evergreens, and even their pretty bungalow all provided opportunities to capture the serene quiet around them.

The Schmidt home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive on a winter's day in 1938. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Time to sled! Dr. Henry Schmidt posed next to Beverly Spencer and Ann Schmidt on a winter's day in 1938.  The Schmidts resided at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive.

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Beverly Spencer and Ann Schmidt enjoyed a winter day in 1938

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Dr. Henry Schmidt posed with Maureen and Ann Schmidt on November 11, 1941. Behind the family, you can see their residence at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Some elm trees still existed on the lot during this era. Most elms across the United States were dying off in record numbers.

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

The side porch at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in the winter of 1938.

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Beautiful newly-fallen snow on evergreen trees at the Schmidt home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive c1938.

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Looking South: In this image, you can see the long driveway leading up to 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive c1944. In the distance, you can see Pleasant Run Parkway

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

A winter storm at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive c1950

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1979. It was now numbered as 5701 E. St. Clair Street

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

5701 E. St. Clair Street (formerly 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive) c1990

(Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

I am indebted to Ann Schmidt Brown and her daughter, Doreen McGuire Crenshaw, for opening their scrapbooks and memories for this post.

Editor's Note: 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway is now numbered as 5701 E. St. Clair Street. 

A Perfect Place to Grow up

When Dr. Henry and Isabelle Early Schmidt purchased 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1937, they only had one child. Over the course of a decade they would add four more. Ann, Maureen, Carl, Pat, and Jill Schmidt had the perfect yard for a playground. In the winter, they could sled down the giant hill in their front yard. In the warmer seasons, they could explore the woods and nearby Pleasant Run. Family pets also had plenty of acreage in which to run. Photos taken in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s reveal some of the fun that children had while living on the property.

Ann Schmidt provided milk for Teddy on a warm summer day in 1939 at her home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Dress Up: Ann Schmidt had fun in her "new" adult clothes in July of 1940 at her home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Behind her, you can see the barberry bush that used to be on the property for decades. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

"General" Tobias T. Smith greeted Paul Schmidt and his daughter Barbara in 1937.  Paul was the brother of Henry Schmidt. Although General had plenty of acreage in which to roam, he preferred the entirety of the neighborhood frequently causing problems for the family who had to retrieve him.  (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Ann Schmidt remained a dog lover for her entire life. In this photo, snapped in 1947, she posed with Rags on the family property at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Rags loved to nip at people's feet. He was especially interested in their shoestrings. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Cute little Pat Schmidt posed in her bedroom in the attic at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1951. Ann Schmidt, her older sister, likely took this image. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Carl Schmidt went for a bike ride in 1950. In this photo, he posed along the Schmidt family driveway at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Behind him, you can see the doghouse. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

Carl Schmidt posed for this photo along the sidewalk at the Schmidt family home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive c1951. Behind him, you can see a family car. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw)

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Editor's Note: The address of 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive changed to 5701 E. St. Clair Street in the mid-1960s. 

I wish to thank Ann Schmidt Brown and her daughter Doreen McGuire Crenshaw for their kindness in allowing me to scan photos from their scrapbooks. 

The Schmidt Family Arrives in Irvington

Dr. Henry Schmidt and his wife Isabelle Early Schmidt purchased the beautiful bungalow at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1937. The pretty home situated on a bluff overlooking the boulevard and stream had been designed and built for the Jenney family in 1922. The Jacksons and Marions had also dwelled here before the successful 27-year-old optometrist and his wife moved onto the property. The Schmidts already had one daughter by 1937 named Ann and would have four more children: Maureen, Carl, Pat, and Jill. The children had the most amazing yard in which to play. A side porch offered stunning views all seasons. The Schmidt children grew up with dogs who also had the run of the acreage. Family photos from their early years in the house, reveal the lovely setting as well as the close friends and family who stopped by for a visit. The Schmidts remained in the house until the early 1990s.

Dr. Henry Schmidt sat on his front stoop in 1937 shortly after purchasing 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. Nearby, General, whose real name was General Tobias T. Smith, relaxed on the front yard. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

Ann Schmidt, the oldest child of Henry and Isabelle Early Schmidt, posed in front of her home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in the summer of 1938. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

In this sweet image, Ann Schmidt stopped to smell the lovely peonies most likely planted by Walter Jenney, in the spring of 1938. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

Dr. Henry Schmidt surveyed his new acreage at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive with Anita Platte and Isabelle Schmidt in 1937. Bob Platte (not pictured) likely took the photograph. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

Brothers: Dr. Henry Schmidt and his daughter Ann posed with Dr. Paul Schmidt (also an optometrist) and his daughter Barbara on the grounds of 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

From their side porch at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in 1937, the Schmidts could enjoy the seasons as their home sat perched upon a bluff over looking Pleasant Run Parkway and Creek. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

A long drive led to and from the Schmidt home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

A giant walnut tree near the garage of the Schmidt home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive existed in 1937. The family later had it removed. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

 Isabelle Schmidt stood in doorway of her home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway in the spring of 1938. Nearby, Bob Platte, Ann Schmidt, and Henry Schmidt worked in the yard. The photo was likely taken by Anita Platte.  The Schmidts and the Plattes were very good friends. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

Isabelle Schmidt posed with her daughter Ann along the brick path leading to their home at 5702 Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive in the spring of 1938. (Photo courtesy of Ann Schmidt Brown and Doreen McGuire Crenshaw) 

I am indebted to Ann Schmidt Brown and her daughter Doreen McGuire Crenshaw who opened their scrapbooks and memories to me. 

Editor's Note: To learn more about the earlier eras of this house click on the Jenney Family link below. Today the house now has the address of 5701 East St. Clair Street. 

The Jenneys Built a Dream Home On a Bluff Above Pleasant Run Stream--1922

Walter and Alice Jenney purchased several lots from developer Arthur V. Brown near what would become Pleasant Run Parkway in 1911. They paid Mr. Brown the sizable sum of $6000 for the land. At the time, the Jenneys lived at 350 North Whittier Place with a view of Ellenberger Woods. Their new plot of land was north of the Pleasant Run Stream and east of Ritter Avenue. George Kessler, the noted landscape architect, designed the new boulevard that was soon to be expanded from Ritter Avenue to Arlington Avenue. Arthur V. Brown had already donated about six acres along both sides of the stream for a public green space.

Mr. Jenney held many jobs over the years as he was a salesman and an entrepreneur. His family moved to Irvington when he was young and he made headlines in 1895 when he and another Irvington child found some of the charred remains of Howard Pitezel, a victim of the serial killer H.H. Holmes. As a young man, he worked for his uncle Charles E. Jenney, who owned the Jenney Electric Company. Walter Jenney later struck out on his own as an advertising agent for the New York Store and for the Indianapolis Star  and News. After buying land from Mr. Brown in the Ellenberger Park Addition, Mr. Jenney opened a nursery where he sold peonies, lilacs, roses, and other beautiful specimens. The Irvington North Garden Historic District received its National Register name because of Mr. Jenney's beautiful nursery located near St. Clair Street and Lesley Avenue.

The land that the Jenney's purchased contained an older farmhouse, some outbuildings, and a windmill. Little is known about the original farmers who used to live in the house, but the historic residence still stands at 5665 East St. Clair Street. Mr. Jenney operated his nursery out of the house. Alice Jenney was involved in various Irvington clubs and taught Sunday School at the Irvington Methodist for 50 years. Amazingly, she would live to be 101 years old. She outlived her husband by 33 years. Her brother, Arthur J. Randall, and sister-in-law, Anna Hayes Randall, purchased land and built a home at 5660 East St. Clair Street. The siblings lived across the street from each other for decades.

Alice Randall Jenney stood on the site of her future home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway (later 5701 E. St. Clair Street) in 1912. The couple would not start construction of their new residence until 1922.  (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

Walter and Alice Jenney purchased land from a developer named Arthur V. Brown in 1911. They bought the farmhouse and and the adjacent bluff for a future home. Pleasant Run Parkway had not yet been constructed when this photo was snapped in 1911. (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown) 

Walter Jenney snapped this beautiful photo in 1912 on the site of his future home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway. (Photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

The North Irvington Garden Historic District used to be a farm. In 1911, Walter Jenney snapped this image eastward from his property at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway. The future 700 blocks of Audubon Road, Graham, Bolton, Campbell, and Arlington Avenues had yet to be developed. (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

Alice Randall Jenney stood in the nursery and near the site of her future home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway. Her husband, Walter Jenney, had opened the business in the farmhouse (not visible) at 5665 East St. Clair Street. His peonies won many prizes. Mr. Jenney, the photographer, faced eastward for this photograph. Note the windmill and the water tower. The photo was likely taken in 1914. (photo courtesy of Chris and Felicia Sears and Ann Schmidt Brown)

In this undated photograph, you can see that Pleasant Run Parkway is under construction. (c1912) The house that is visible in the image is the farmhouse that still stands at 5665 East St. Clair Street. (photo courtesy of Chris and Felicia Sears and Ann Schmidt Brown)

The old farmhouse at 5665 East St. Clair Street in 2018.

Walter Jenney operated a nursery out of the farmhouse at 5665 East St. Clair Street (Indianapolis Star, October 1, 1920)

It took some time, but eventually the Jenneys began construction of their dream home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway (also known as 5700) in the summer of 1922. They chose to site the home on a bluff facing southward towards Irvington. Mr. Jenney designed the home while O. E. Pike served as the general contractor. An Indianapolis Star article profiled the new home on November 12, 1922. To get to the property, one entered from Pleasant Run Parkway, crossed over a stone bridge, and then up a steep and winding drive. Once at the top of the hill, a lovely "colonial" stuccoed home awaited visitors. Mr. Jenney designed a long living room across the entire front of the home complete with a mahogany fireplace and beautiful oak floors. Mr. Pike installed an heirloom buffet into the dining room. The Jenneys could sit in a beautiful side porch and gaze across the tree tops that grew along the stream below. The stunning location must have been a beautiful place to live in all seasons. For many years, the old windmill still stood near the dining room window.

Numerous other families have called this beautiful place "home." Their stories should be told as well. I am particularly grateful to Ann Schmidt Brown, whose family lived here for much of the mid and late twentieth century. Todd Cloud and Chris and Felicia Sears have also been instrumental in providing information for this post. I wish to thank them all. At some point, Mr. Jenney gave a scrapbook full of photos to the Schmidt family. I was able to publish these photos due to the generosity of the Schmidts. More photos will be forthcoming so stay tuned!

Walter Jenney originally designed his future home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway with a veranda around the house. He later modified his design. In this photo, he superimposed his original vision on a photograph in 1922. (image courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

Alice Randall Jenney sat on the front porch of her new home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway (later 5701 East St. Clair Street) in 1922. (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

Walter Jenney snapped this photograph in 1922 as he faced westward. (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown) 

Mr. Jenney's peonies bloomed in the spring of 1923. Behind the garden, you can see the Jenney home at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway. (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

The Jenney home and property at 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway shortly after it was built in the winter of 1922 (photo courtesy of Todd Cloud and Ann Schmidt Brown)

5701 East St. Clair Street (formerly 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway) in 2018

Indianapolis Star, September 14, 1944, 5

Editor's note: During the Schmidt-era of the home, the city changed the address of the house from 5702 East Pleasant Run Parkway to 5701 East St. Clair Street.

Sources: About the house--"Stucco Attractive Finish for Homes," Indianapolis Star, November 12, 1922, 61; Obituary for Walter E. Jenney, Indianapolis Star, September 14, 1944, 5; Obituary for Alice Randall Jenney, Indianapolis News, February 5, 1977, 13; About Howard Pitezel--"This Reminds Me," Indianapolis Star, March 10, 1951, 31; Arthur Brown donation--"Gives City Six Acres," Indianapolis News, July 28, 1911, 16. Interview with Ann Schmidt Brown, December 2, 2018; Interview with Chris and Felicia Sears, December 8, 2018.