Butler Football Field--1922

Irwin Field sat south of University Avenue, east of South Butler Avenue and West of Ohmer Avenue. In this incredible shot, the photographer is facing east towards Ohmer. All of the distant houses in the photo are still standing along that street. Like a mirage, in the upper right part of the photo, you can see the brick "tower" of the Irvington Ice and Coal building in the 400 block of South Ritter Avenue. The Baltimore and Ohio Rail Line is to the far right of the photo as are houses along Burgess Avenue south of the tracks. Irwin Field served as the football stadium for Butler University until it moved out of Irvington in 1928. In the 1940s and 50s, the site was redeveloped into housing. This historic photo, taken in 1922, is courtesy of Amy Friedly.

A Father and Son--1945

Robert Fields proudly embraces his father, Russell Fields, in the front yard of their home at 326 North Ritter Avenue in 1945. The young boy in the photo would grow up to become a successful accountant and raise his own family. Although the Fields family had lived in Irvington since the 1930s, they only lived in the Ritter Avenue home from the mid to late 1940s. Behind the pair, you can see homes on the east side of North Ritter Avenue (300 block--near Michigan Street). A photo taken in the early spring of 2012 shows the houses today. The historic image is courtesy of Ron Flick.

North Ritter Avenue on a Snowy Day--1945

The Fields family dwelled at 326 North Ritter from the mid to late 1940s. In this photo, taken around 1945 in the front yard, Dorothy Hathaway Fields stands to the right of her son, Robert F. Fields. Dorothy's mother, Jesse Forest Williams Hathaway of Logansport, Indiana stands to the left. In the photo, you can see some of the houses north of the Fields home on the west side of Ritter. The brick home in the background actually faces Pleasant Run Parkway. A few houses on the east side of Ritter can also be seen. This historic image is courtesy of Ron Flick. The contemporary image shows the same houses in 2012.

Early Color Photograph of Layman Avenue--Circa 1950

This early color photograph of Layman Avenue might have been taken in the late 1940s or early 1950s. The Zoercher girls (52 North Layman Avenue) and their friends were the subject of the photographer. Behind them, you can see the east side of Layman Avenue looking north. It must have been a cold day perhaps in late autumn as there were still yellow leaves on the ground, but all of the trees remained bare. Someone has leaned a bike against the brick apartment building. The American Four Square visible behind the girls is 65 North Layman. Notice the wonderful street light long gone from the block. I am not good at identifying cars so if anyone knows the make or models of these automobiles please drop me a note. I have included a photo of the block today, but a giant evergreen obscures the apartment building. You will note that 65 North Layman Avenue has been restored. The historic image is courtesy of Andrea de Mink.

Thanks to an astute reader, we now know that the girl standing in the rear and closest to the car has been identified as Barbara Schulmeyer Near.

A Wedding Celebration on Layman Avenue

The Zoercher family dwelled in a beautiful American Four Square at 52 North Layman Avenue from 1934 to 1955. In the early 1950s, the family joyously celebrated the wedding of a daughter in the home. These photos show the wedding party and happy bride. Many Irvington homes served as lovely places for such ceremonies. These wonderful historic images are courtesy of Andrea de Mink.

Dates and Dances

The Zoercher family dwelled for many years at 52 North Layman. By the early 1950s, the Zoercher daughters began to enter high school. In these two wonderful photos, you get a snippet of life for an Indianapolis teenager. In the top photo, it appears that the young man has just given his date a lovely corsage. They are both smartly dressed and ready for a fun night out.

In the second photo, a Zoercher daughter poses in the foyer of her home. We are searching for her name so if anyone reading this post recognizes her, please drop me a note. You can imagine how wonderful it must have been for the current homeowners to receive this early color photograph. My eyes are drawn to several items in this picture including the Gone With the Wind inspired wallpaper, the classic 1950s orange furniture, the beautiful clock, and the original light fixture. In her lovely gown, she might be going to the prom or some other special dance. You may see exterior photos of this home by clicking on the "Zoercher Family" link below. These historic images are courtesy of Andrea de Mink.

The Zoerchers of 52 N. Layman Avenue

The Zoercher family dwelled at 52 North Layman from 1934 to 1955. Like many Irvington families of this era, they took the time to document their lives. Most of the photos in today's post show the Zoercher children outside playing or going to school. Mrs. Zoercher and one of the grandparents appear as well. All of these photos were taken outside either in the backyard or along the side of the house. These snapshots were likely shot from the mid-1930s and into the late 1940s.

The Zoerchers were not the first to live in the home, which was likely constructed in 1906. Other early families include the Wiggins and Walkers. The Griffins moved in after the Zoerchers.

The historic images are courtesy of Andrea de Mink.