Couple Moved into Emerson Heights Double During the Great Depression

      On December 9, 1933, Orville Peters and Marjorie Jones wed at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Irvington. With the nation still firmly in a major economic depression, the newlyweds started their lives together. Mr. Peters had grown up in Crothersville, Indiana and had only recently moved to Indianapolis. He enrolled in the Sanderson Business School and excelled, so much so that the college published his portrait and boasted of him in an advertisement. He used his knowledge and skills from that school to get hired by Standard Oil as an auditor. 

     In the summer of 1935, the couple likely saw an ad in the Indianapolis News that a double at 740 North Bancroft Street was available for rent. The home turned out to be a good decision on their part as it was close to Marjorie's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who lived at 312 North Layman Avenue. Soon, the pair welcomed two children, Donald and David Peters. 

     The young couple became very involved in the community. Mr. Peters was an avid golfer and frequently organized company tournaments. Mrs. Peters, who also golfed, formed the very first Mothers' Club for St. Matthew's Episcopal Church where she served as the Vice President. She conducted meetings in her Bancroft Avenue dwelling. As many of her friends also married, she hosted bridal showers in the residence as well. In the summer of 1938, she decorated her place in red and white colors for Jean McHatton who would soon marry Robert Behr. She asked attendees to gift kitchen items for the future Mrs. Behr. 

     On April 15, 1940, census taker, Beatrice Bleich, knocked on the door at 740 North Bancroft Street. Ms. Bleich recorded that Orville Peters was 29 years old and an auditor for Standard Oil Company. He earned a comfortable salary of $2000 a year. Marjorie Peters was 27 years old. Ms. Bleich noted that little Donald was three years old while David was only five months old. She further revealed that the couple paid $33 a month in rent. What she likely didn't know was that the family would soon move from the small two-bedroom double and into Marjorie Peters' childhood home at 312 North Layman Avenue. They would need the larger house as two more children would later arrive. Upon completing her survey, Ms. Bleich walked across the front porch to the other side of the double at 738 North Bancroft Street to interview Harry and Mary Beese. 

Next Up: Life Along Layman Avenue

Marjorie and Orville Peters resided at 740 North Bancroft Street from 1935 until 1940. (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

Orville Peters excelled at the Sanderson Business School. He served as an auditor and accountant for the remainder of his working life. (ad from unknown publication courtesy of the Peters family)

Orville Peters worked for Standard Oil in 1938 when this photo was snapped at 740 North Bancroft Street. He was later employed at Barbasol, Jones & Laughlin Steel, and other companies. (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

Marjorie Jones Peters grew up in Irvington. She posed with her first of four children, Donald, in 1938.  (photo courtesy of the Peters family) 

Orville Peters posed with his son, Donald, in 1938 along the sidewalk leading up to 740 North Bancroft Street. Behind the pair, you can see the bungalows at 741 and 739 North Bancroft Street. (photo courtesy of the Peters family) 

Little Donald Peters played with his blocks in 1938 in front of his home at 740 North Bancroft Street. You can also see the front porch of the home next door at 742 North Bancroft Street. (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

Donald Peters (right) walked up the sidewalk at 740 North Bancroft Street with an unidentified little girl in 1938. Behind the pair, you can see several houses in the 700 block of North Bancroft Street. (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

A group of children gathered in front of 739 North Bancroft Street in 1938. Bert and Clara Marston resided in the home at the time. (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

Donald Peters, the son of Orville and Marjorie Peters, walked along the sidewalk leading up to 740 North Bancroft Street in February of 1938. Behind him, you can see houses in the 700 block of North Bancroft Street. (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

By 1939, Orville and Marjorie Peters welcomed their second child, David. In this portrait: Orville (holding David), Donald and Marjorie Peters (photo courtesy of the Peters family)

     I wish to thank Doug Peters who generously loaned family scrapbooks and stories. 

Sources:  Interviews with Doug Peters, Summer, 2024; Wedding--"Miss Jones and Orville Peters Wed," Indianapolis Times, December 9, 1933, p. 5; Ad for 740 N. Bancroft--"For Rent," Indianapolis News, June 29, 1935, p. 13; Mothers' Club--"Mothers Club Founded at St. Matthews Church," Indianapolis News, August 20, 1939, p. 8; Wedding shower--"Kitchen Shower Tonight to Honor Jean McHatton," Indianapolis Star, July 8, 1938, p. 7; Polk's City Directory (Marion County, IN), City Directory, 1938; US Federal Census, 1940.

The Missing Tooth--A House Reemerges From the Grave 36 Years Later

Sometimes when you are a historian, you get sent into directions you never imagined.  For instance, when local Irvington resident, Kent Hankins, presented me with today's historic image, I had to do a double take.  With only one recognizable structure, I had to figure out where this photo was taken.  The photographer intended to take a picture of the procession of children.  In the background, there was clearly a church, but the house looked unfamiliar.

It didn't take long to figure out that the religious institution in the photo was the former St. Matthews Episcopal Church at 23 South Ritter Avenue.  That structure has hosted several denominations over the years including the Seventh Day Adventists and Baptists.  So, what of the house next door?  It is clearly gone today.  Who lived there?  I wanted to know more.

It turns out that the small bungalow at 21 South Ritter Avenue was likely built in 1927 by Harry L. and Grace L. Moore.  The couple would be the only family to ever live in the house and they dwelled in it for decades.  Mr. Moore worked in a variety of jobs.  He was a salesman and insurance agent.  He was probably most known for his appliance shop that he operated at 5420 East Washington Street called Moore's Modern Appliances.  An ad proclaimed that the shop sold everything from juvenile furniture to household "electrical" appliances.  Mrs. Moore continued to live in the house after her husband died.  Eventually, the Seventh Day Adventist Church purchased the property and leveled the house in 1976.  Today, the Moore's family site is a parking lot.

The Mobley family purchased this radio from Moore's Modern Appliance Store at 5420 East Washington Street (photo courtesy of Robert Mobley) 

Moore's Modern Appliance Store operated at 5420 East Washington Street. The Moore family dwelled at 21 South Ritter Avenue.  (photo courtesy of Robert Mobley)

The second mystery surrounding this photo still remains.  First, I am unclear on the date.  It looks to be sometime in the mid-1950s.  I know that the young people are on the grounds of School 57 on the southwest corner of East Washington Street and South Ritter Avenue.  It is obviously a warm day.  Perhaps the graduates of School 57 can help me out with this part of the photo. What are the young people doing?  Is this a practice? A ceremony?  A celebration?  Inquiring minds would like to know more!  Send me an e-mail at williamfranklingulde@gmail.com if you have any ideas.

The historic image is courtesy of Kent Hankins and likely came from the Phelps family, who dwelled at 5317 Lowell Avenue for years.  The contemporary image reveals that the church remains, although now sheathed in vinyl siding instead of stucco.