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.

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. 

Snookie the Cat

She posed regally and patiently for the photographer, Mary Stevenson, in 1937. Snookie, a much-loved feline, dwelled within the confines of 56 South Irvington Avenue and later at 112 Johnson Avenue. Princess Snookie has been gone for seventy years, but her spirit has been resurrected for today's post. Welcome back, Snookie!!

Snookie posed atop a stool at 56 South Irvington Avenue in 1937

Regal Snookie stood atop her stoop at 56 South Irvington Avenue to view her kingdom in 1937

Mary Stevenson held her beloved Snookie c1941 at 112 Johnson Avenue

 The historic images are courtesy of Ted Lollis.  

Memories of Julian Avenue

Can you hear the laughter of children?  Can you hear the call of the train?

Steve Lawton moved away from Irvington in 1945 when he was three years old. He remembers little about the neighborhood except his mother's warning to stay away from the railroad tracks.  Burrell and Emma Lawton moved into 5915 Julian Avenue in 1939. Their two sons, Bill and Steve, frequently played with many other children along the avenue on warm summer days.  The Pennsylvania Rail Line was located only one block south of the Lawton home and could easily be accessed by the children by walking down an alley.  Other kids in the neighborhood had been struck by trains so Mrs. Lawton's fears were well-founded.  The Lawton family dog, "Patches," met his untimely end along the tracks sometime in 1944.

Edward and Georgia May Lollis and their son Ted lived next door at 5919 Julian Avenue. Young Ted (also known as Edward Wesley Lollis II) frequently played with Bill Lawton. Photos from the Lawtons reveal that many young families dwelled along Julian Avenue in the late 1930s and early 1940s.  Ted Lollis, who can be seen in some of the Lawton photographs, recalled leaving his second story bedroom window open on summer nights and falling asleep to the sound of the trains passing nearby. His family would soon leave the large American Four Square at 5919 Julian Avenue for other homes further west at 5866 and 5872 Julian Avenue. (more on this story in a future post)

After the Lawtons moved out of Indianapolis, the young boys never spoke again until seventy years later for this blog post. All three of these Julian Avenue kids went on to complete advanced college degrees and have successful careers.    Mr. Lollis now operates a website devoted to peace monuments. I have included that link below. He was a former American Consul in Bordeaux and has operated two successful businesses. Bill Lawton, who passed away in 2011, earned Ph.D in Statistics and worked for Kodak for many years. Steve Lawton earned his Ph. D in Education and taught for the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkley.  Not bad for three guys who began life along Julian Avenue in Irvington...

Bill Lawton and Ted Lollis (5919 Julian Avenue) helped Burrell Lawton wash "Patches" in the backyard of 5915 Julian Avenue in 1940.  

Sandbox Fun!  Bill Lawton and Ted Lollis in the backyard at 5915 Julian Avenue in 1940. You can see the trellises that hosted Mrs. Lawton's roses.  

"Patches" Gets a Bath:  Ted Lollis and Bill Lawton "assist" Burrell Lawton in the backyard at 5915 Julian Avenue in 1940.

Backyard Dog Wash:  Ted Lollis, Bill Lawton and Burrell Lawton in 1940 (5915 Julian Avenue)

Bill Lawton and Ted Lollis played in the sandbox under the shade of a tall apple tree in 1940. Behind the kids, you can see both the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue and the Lollis home at 5919 Julian Avenue.  

Bill and Steve Lawton played in the backyard of the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue sometime in 1942 or 1943. Behind the brothers, you can see the rear of 128 South Arlington Avenue.  

I am indebted to the generosity of both Steve Lawton and Ted Lollis for sharing their memories and images of Julian Avenue.  To access Mr. Lollis's Peace Monuments website click on the following link: 
http://peace.maripo.com/

Family Celebrations at the Koepper Home

When do we take out our cameras and snap family photos?  If you are like most Americans, your scrapbooks are filled with special occasions like baptisms, birthday parties, and holidays celebrations.  Thankfully, these moments usually document extended family members and good friends as well.  Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper, who purchased 5263 East Tenth Street in 1940, did a great job of capturing important moments in their family's story.  Below are some of the important celebrations in the tale of an Irvington family.

Baptism:  Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper hosted a family gathering for the Meyers and Koeppers at 5263 East Tenth Street on August 17, 1941.  They assembled for the occasion of the Lutheran baptism of Kent Meyer (in the bassinet), the nephew of the Koeppers.  This wonderful photograph documents three generations.  Standing (L-R): Bud and Mary Jane Pattison; Del and Lois Meyer; Claude Pattison, Ed Meyer, Lora Meyer Koepper and Norman Koepper; and Catherine Pattison Meyer; Seated on chairs (L-R):  Bea Pattison, Emma Harting Meyer, Lillian Westmeier Meyer; On the ground and next to the bassinet (L--R):  Leslie Meyer, Susan Koepper, Gayle Meyer, Barbara Meyer

Easter Egg Hunt:  The Koeppers celebrated Easter at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1954. At some point, the family hosted an egg hunt and the children in this photo displayed their bounty. Behind them, you can see the garages at both 5263 and 5261 East Tenth Street.  Pictured (L-R):  Paul Koepper, Norman Koepper, Steve Koepper, Lora Meyer Koepper, and an unidentified young man.  Susan Koepper might be the photographer.  

Confirmation: It was a special day for young Paul Koepper in 1955 when he was confirmed into the Lutheran Church. His extended family members from near and far gathered at the home of Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper at 5263 East Tenth Street to be a part of his special day.  Pictured (L-R):  Delbert Meyer, Claude Pattison, Lois Sundvahl Meyer, Henry Koepper, Bea Pattison, Josephine Koepper, Orville Meyer, Catherine Pattison Meyer, Leslie Meyer, Kent Meyer, Paul Koepper, Steve Koepper, and Lora Meyer Koepper

Christmas:  Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper hosted a Christmas gathering in their home at 5263 East Tenth Street in 1966.  This wonderful color photograph shows not only their grown children, in-laws, and grandchildren, but also the couple's living room.  Pictured (clockwise from lower left):  Sharon Morelock Koepper and Paul Koepper; Eddie Foster and Susan Koepper Foster; Kristin Lenore Foster; Steve Koepper, Lora Meyer Koepper and Kerry Lee Foster.  

Christmas Morning:  All was quiet in the bungalow at 5263 East Tenth Street owned by Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper on Christmas Day, 1966 as they awaited the arrival of their children and grandchildren.  Two stockings were hung on the fireplace for the couple's two grandchildren at the time, Kristin and Kerry Foster. You can see the family pooch, Freckles, resting near the blue patterned chair.  The manger scene on the fireplace, a family treasure, was collected by Steve Koepper throughout the 1950s and came from Danner's Five and Dime Store in Irvington. Mrs. Koepper clearly kept abreast of the latest in decorating with her mod lamp and mid-century furniture.  

Easter Brunch:  On Easter Sunday, 1967, the children and grandchildren of Norman and Lora Meyer Koepper gathered in the family home at 5263 East Tenth Street for a meal.  The family dog, Freckles, a cocker spaniel mix, made her presence known and visited with Tiffany, a dog belonging to Paul and Sharon Koepper.  The humans at the table in the photograph (from clockwise left to right) included:  Beverly James (future wife of Steve Koepper), Steve Koepper, Sharon Morelock Koepper, Lora Meyer Koepper, Kerry Lee Foster, Paul Koepper, Kristin Lenore Foster, Susan Koepper Foster, and Eddie Foster   

The stories and historic images are courtesy of Steve Koepper.

Sliding into a New Year

In the winter of 1933, Leland (standing) and Robert Dickerson had fun in their backyard following a big snowstorm.  The Dickersons had just moved from 5823 Beechwood Avenue to 5946 University Avenue. Jesse Earl and Esther Dickerson decided to move from one bungalow to another because the University house was closer to School #85 (pictured) and the kids could cut through the backyard and never have to go near a busy street.  If you look closely, you can see that Leland is holding the family dog, Cindy.  The Dickersons would dwell at this address until finally building a new home on North Arlington Avenue in 1937.

Leland and Robert Dickerson in the backyard of 5946 University Avenue in 1933. (Note School #85 behind them.)

Mr. Striebeck and His Amazing Pet Squirrel

After he retired as a plasterer, Harry Striebeck settled down to a quiet life with his wife Elizabeth and adult daughter, Margaret, at his home at 606 North Bosart Avenue in Emerson Heights.  Mr. Striebeck kept a meticulous yard and even trained a squirrel as a beloved pet.  In these photos, taken c1945, Mr. Striebeck sits or stands in his backyard with his well-heeled squirrel.  In the top two photos, Mr. Striebeck relaxes next to his garage in the backyard.  Behind him, vines are beginning to grow up his trellises.  In front of him, sits the family lawnmower.  In the third photo, the elderly man stands and feeds his squirrel, which is perched on the family lawn chair.  Behind Mr. Striebeck, you can see the rear of 606 and 610 North Bosart Avenue.  Note the awnings on the windows and the broom hanging from the back porch of his neighbor's home.  A metal tub sits atop the cistern and is apparently filled with flowers.  This little slice of life was recently developed from some negatives from the collection belonging to Margaret Striebeck.  Miss Striebeck passed away in 1976.

Harry Striebeck and his new friend c1945 in the backyard and next to the garage at 606 N. Bosart Avenue

Squirrel on the lap of Harry Striebeck (606 N. Bosart) c1945

Harry Striebeck feeds a pet squirrel. Behind him, you can see both 606 and 610 North Bosart Avenue c1945

"Fite" the Loyal Dog

He dwelled at 218 South Audubon Road throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s.  Fite, the beloved German Shepherd, belonged to the Vollrath family.  He was quite a fixture throughout the neighborhood as the Vollrath brothers trained him to help deliver newspapers.  He would carry the rolled up paper in his mouth and drop it on the front porches of homes throughout southern Irvington.  Mrs. Vollrath would have Fite guard the tent where the brothers would have sleepovers with their friends.  She never worried about them as long as he was nearby.  He was an extremely intelligent animal, although he was not perfect. He did not get along with the family pony and he occasionally terrorized a few of the neighbors.  Like many childhood pets, he is still fondly recalled decades later by members of the family who loved him.

In the top photo, Fite stands guard near the family tent in the backyard at 218 South Audubon Road.  In the second photo, he has jumped into the wheelbarrow and appears to be staring intently at someone or perhaps at Dandy, the Vollrath's pony.  In the third photo, a young Victor Vollrath plays with Fite in the sideyard in 1926.  These wonderful historic images are courtesy of Dr. Victor Vollrath.

The Pony of South Audubon Road--1928

Dandy lived in a small barn on the Vollrath lot at 218 South Audubon Road.  The pony became a fixture for those who lived in southern Irvington as usually one or possibly two Vollrath children went for a stroll.  In these historic photos, Victor Vollrath attempts to do tricks with the pony on a sidelot just south of the Vollrath home.  The doubles visible across the street were relatively new when this photo was taken as builders only completed the dwellings in the early 1920s.  A contemporary image shows those same structures in 2012.  The historic image is courtesy of Dr. Victor Vollrath.