Kids--29 South Audubon Road

Grandchildren of James T. and Cora Layman enjoy fun time at 29 South Audubon Road (circa 1908). The Layman mansion is no longer standing. See previous posts to view other photos of this incredible house. This wonderful picture shows a glimpse into the lives of children in the neighborhood. Note the dog on the top step. This image is courtesy of Isabelle Layman Troyer.

Layman Family--29 South Audubon Road

The Layman family lived in a large Second Empire styled home at 29 South Audubon Road (see previous post). They owned the home from 1887 until its demise in 1952. James Townsend Layman (1844-1922), a Civil War veteran, was a partner with Simeon Carey in a wholesale firm downtown. He also served as an elected official in numerous capacities both as an Indianapolis city councilman and as a member of the Indiana Senate. Cora Layman (died in 1930) was an active clubwoman and helped to raise the couple's six children.

In the top image James Townsend Layman and his wife Cora Layman pose in front of their home at 29 South Audubon Road in 1910. In the bottom photo Mr. and Mrs. Layman again in 1910 pose outside with some of their children. These images are courtesy of Isabelle Layman Troyer.

Julian-Layman Home--Lost Irvington

This beautiful Second Empire-styled villa used to stand at 29 South Audubon Road. Jacob Julian, a founder of Irvington, likely commissioned architect Isaac Taylor to build the house in 1870. Across the street, Sylvester Johnson employed Taylor to build a nearly identical home at 26 South Audubon Road. In 1887, James Townsend Layman purchased the Julian Home. Layman ran a successful wholesale business south of downtown Indianapolis called the Layman, Carey & Company. Members of the Layman family would own the property until 1952. In the 1950s, a developer demolished the historic mansion and built the Saxony Apartment Complex. This image is courtesy of Isabelle Layman Troyer.

Danner Family--72 N. Ritter Ave

The Danner family operated a series of five and dime stores around the state of Indiana in places like Irvington and Rushville. Guy and Nellie Danner lived at 72 North Ritter Avenue in an Arts and Crafts bungalow. In the top photo Elaine, Louis, and John pose in the backyard around 1935. In the bottom photo Nellie Danner stands on her front porch with her children John and Louis in 1936. The wood shake still remains on the house in 2011. These images are courtesy of the Danner Family.

270 South Audubon Road--Then and Now

Many families have called 270 South Audubon Road home. The Gawne Family were the first to occupy the home in 1910. Orville Gawne was a traveling salesman. Other members of that family to live here included his wife Catherine and his children Catherine, Jenette, and their teacher-son Paul H. Other families who dwelled in this house included the McClains, the Headricks, the Dunhams, the Furgasons, the Lentzes, the Gingers, and the Campbells. By the 1940s the Graves family lived at 270. The Craigs called the house home for many years in the 1960s and 70s.

In the top photo, Mrs. Graves and her daughter stand on the front porch in 1949. In the bottom photo the current residents stand in the identical location on January 25, 2011. Note the beautiful glass window remains part of the house. The historic image is courtesy of the Stewart Family.

5317-19 University Ave--Asbestos Siding

5317-19 is one of the oldest doubles in Irvington. Built in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, the structure had many Queen Anne styled features including a porch with a balustrade railing and ornamental spindles. Many families connected with Butler or the Board of Missions lived in the duplex because of its close proximity to both institutions. In 1910, journalist Charles Fuller lived on one side and the Murphy Family lived on the other side. John H. Murphy was a molder while his daughter Mallie J. attended Butler.

In 1940, Mrs. Anna Finch owned the double and hired Ralph R. Reeder & Sons to put on asbestos siding. Mrs. Finch was looking for a way to avoid painting her wood clapboard siding and asbestos tiles were in vogue in Indianapolis between 1920 and 1950. She chose "White Thatch" to spruce up this home. Of course, Mrs. Finch was unaware of the dangers of asbestos. Many homeowners sheathed their houses in this material as it was the "vinyl" of its day.

Although the top image is in poor shape, you can faintly see how the home looked prior to being sided. It used to have a really beautiful porch. It looks like the Victorian features were removed when the asbestos siding was added. Mrs. Finch's home was featured in the Indianapolis Star on February 5, 1940 (page 16) as promotion for the siding.

I have also included a contemporary photo of the house (January, 2011). You will note that the asbestos siding remains seventy-one years later.

5334-36 E. Washington St.--Then and Now

This double, built around 1915, is located at 5334-36 East Washington Street. In the top photo members of the McDavitt Family pose in front of the home around 1946. In the lower photo, you can see the duplex in January of 2011. The structure has held up well over the years and retains many of its original features. In both photos you can see the Moore-Kirk Funeral Home located at 5342 E. Washington Street. The historic image is courtesy of the McDavitt Family.