Preston's Supermarket c1958

The arrival of the supermarket in the mid-twentieth century changed the shopping habits of the American people.  Corner grocery stores that delivered continued, but they struggled and most were gone by the end of the century.  Several larger grocery stores opened in the greater Irvington area in the 1940s and 50s including this Preston's located on the northwest corner of East 16th Street and Emerson Avenue.

The intersection remains a busy one in 2013 and the structure still serves as a grocery, now called Safeway's.

Preston's Supermarket located at 5040 East 16th Street c1958

The Greatest Generation as Boy Scouts

In the summer of 1934, Boy Scouts from Troop #3 gathered in front of the Irvington Presbyterian Church for a photo.  The Great Depression had taken a toll on many families and Europe saw the first glimmers of Fascism.  It is likely that none of the folks in the photo had any idea that in just a few short years most of them would be of age to defend the United States in one of the biggest wars in history.  Nearly all of the kids in this photo would either volunteer or be sent off to battle.  Six members of Troop #3 would pay the ultimate sacrifice.

One young man who paid with his life was that of John William McPheeters. Young John dwelled at 46 South Ritter Avenue.  He rose up through the scouts to the status of Eagle Scout.  The popular and very bright young man also served as a leader for Troop #3.  In the photo below, you may see Mr. McPheeters.  He is wearing a suit and tie and is standing in the fourth row from the bottom.  He is the second person from the left in the image.

Mr. McPheeters signed up to serve in the military long before the war broke out and he was actually called up in 1940.  He was trained in artillery and his superior officers recognized his talent eventually promoting him to the status of Lieutenant Colonel. During World War II, he was ordered to lead troops in the Italian Campaign.  Word began to spread of his bravery.  In one instance before the Anzio invasion, Mr. McPheeters hiked up a hill to scout for Germans.  He was unarmed and was surprised to encounter a German sniper.  With just a heavy boulder, he managed to scare away the gunman. Beloved my his troops, the young officer began to lead his soldiers into battle.  As Americans acquired more territory, Lt. Col. McPheeters and other officers gathered under a tree to examine maps on March 25, 1944.  Out of the blue a German shell struck the men as they plotted the future. Tragically, the Irvington Eagle Scout and beloved troop leader died instantly.  His brokenhearted squadron asked that his funeral be piped through a loud speaker so they could hear it as they fought on the front.  After the war, several from his division wrote glowingly of the popular colonel, including Major E. N. Harmon who told the world about John McPheeters in the Saturday Evening Post.  In 1945, the military dedicated a building on the grounds of Fort Knox, Kentucky as McPheeters Hall.

Nearly eighty years have passed since a group of Boy Scouts proudly stood on the steps of the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  On this week when we honor the veterans of this country, let us remember Troop #3 and the many other young men and women who have defended the United States.

The historic image and information came from Bill Ferling.  We only know of one other name in this photo and that is of Leland "Lee" Dickerson. He is the shorter kid in the middle of the front row and served in the navy during World War II.  His brother, Robert, died in the Battle of the Bulge.  If you recognize anyone else in this photo, then drop me a note at sleeth28@rock.com.  For additional information on John W. McPheeters you may read the the following newspaper article:  Wayne Guthrie, "Ringside in Hoosierland," Indianapolis News, September 23, 1948, 12.

Photo of Cub Scouts Reveal Long Lost Arts and Crafts Double--c1935

Sometime in the mid-1930s, these enthusiastic members of the Cub Scout Pack #8 gathered in a lot east of the Irvington Presbyterian Church for this photo.  A baseball and bat have been dropped and one young man appears to be playing catch in the background.  Behind this hearty group, you can see a double that used to sit along Irving Court next to the church.  The Arts and Crafts duplex was part of a planned development north of Julian Avenue and west of Audubon Road.  The home had a limited life, however, because many congregants needed a place for their autos on Sunday mornings so the dwelling was eventually cleared for a parking lot.  If you recognize any of the children in this photo then drop me a note at williamfranklingulde@gmail.com so that we can document them.

Cub Scout Pack #8 just east of the Irvington Presbyterian Church on Irving Court near Julian Avenue. The home behind the scouts is no longer standing.  

This image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Cornerstone Ceremony for Irvington Presbyterian Church--1908

The Irvington Presbyterian Church, although not the oldest congregation in the neighborhood, has been  in the community since the early twentieth century.  The organization began in 1906 and by the next year the founders hired Jonathan Day as the first minister.  Reverend Day's first task was to work with the board to raise the funds for a church structure.  Dr. Day had other issues to deal with that first year including the controversial notion of allowing members to play Sunday baseball.  He went against other nearby Protestants and thought it would be okay.

The Board of Trustees had already secured a large lot at the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenue for the future church for $1600. Architect Bennajah Weesner donated his fees and designed a pleasant one-story brick structure with intersecting gables and a tower.  Eventually, the congregation would outgrow the small building and it was torn down in 1928 to make way for the current and grander edifice.

In the following two photos, both taken in the winter of 1908, you can see the cornerstone dedication for the first Irvington Presbyterian Church.  In the top photo, you can see the Reverend Jonathan Day at the far right.  Historical information for this post came from: Emily McAdams, Irvington Presbyterian Church 1906-1956, Indianapolis, 1956.  The historic photos are courtesy of Bill Ferling.

Reverend Jonathan Day (far right) speaks to new Irvington Presbyterian Congregation in 1908

Members of the Irvington Presbyterian Church gather in 1908 for the cornerstone ceremony for the new church (no longer standing) at the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues.

Irving Circle Park in the 1970s

This small circular park has been part of Irvington since 1870.  Early twentieth century views of the green space showed many trees.  By the 1960s, the fountain and park needed work.  Community members restored the original fountain and planted more trees in the mid-1970s.  In these two images, you can see the original fountain and some of the homes around the park in 1974 and 1979.

The historic images are courtesy of Carol Kappel.

Irving Circle fountain and Johnson Home in 1974

Jerry Kappel pulls Chase Kappel through the snow in the Irving Circle Park in 1979

An Artist Moves Into the Johnson Home--1974

When Carol Kappel moved into the "Castle House," as it was affectionately called by the locals, she and her then husband, Jerry, had their work cut out for them.  The beautiful but drafty home had not been updated in years and time had not been kind to the house. Besides restoring the home, the Kappels would also have to furnish the place.  Ms. Kappel reported that she had moved into the home from a small apartment and would spend the next seventeen years adding period furniture and other antiques, some of which came from a beloved grandmother's home in New Albany, Indiana.

Maintaining and restoring such a home required an income so during the day the talented artist worked for an ad agency.  She noted that most of her best personal art came after she moved out of the house in 1991.  She had little time to create while living in the Johnson Home because she was busy raising a family and restoring the place.

In the summer of 1975, Pegg Kennedy, a journalist for the Indianapolis News, along with photographer Bob Doeppers visited the Kappels for a story.  They took several shots of the young couple.  In the top photo, Carol Kappel sat in the formal parlor surrounded by 1970s-era furniture that had been in her previous apartment.  She would later transfer this room back into a beautiful Victorian gathering place.  In the second photo, Jerry Kappel stands in the formal entryway.  At some point, previous owners added arches, a popular architectural feature from the 1920s through the 1940s.  A future owner, Toni James, removed the arches and replaced them with historic squared bays and transoms.

Carol Kappel (5631 University Avenue) posed for this photo in the summer of 1975 for the Indianapolis News. Photo credit:  Bob Doeppers

Jerry Kappel stood in the entryway of 5631 University Avenue in the summer of 1975, Photo Credit:  Bob Doeppers

5631 University Avenue in the summer of 1975, photo credit:  Bob Doeppers

As for Carol Kappel, she later went on to become an award-winning artist.  She won a Clio and has been featured in various art publications and exhibitions.  Two of her pieces included the Johnson Home.  They can be seen below.  She notes, "I have always seen life as a seamless mural of vibrance and sadness, great beauty and sordid ugliness, tragedy and comedy."

Exit From "Ugly Gables," mixed media by Carol Kappel

Johnson Home by Carol Kappel, 1991

The historic images and art are courtesy of Carol Kappel.  More information for this post came from: Pegg Kennedy, "Johnson House Challenge to Young Married Couple," Indianapolis News, August 13, 1975.

The Kappels Move into the Johnson Home--1974

When Carol and Jerry Kappel (rhymes with apple) saw the for sale sign in front of the Johnson Home at 5631 University Avenue in 1974, it was love at first sight.  Ms. Kappel reports that it was autumn and Irvington's trees were ablaze with color.  The young couple had no idea of what awaited them. They took the plunge and began to negotiate with the Cooney family who were selling the manse for $29, 900.  By December, they had the keys to their new home.  Immediately, the couple discovered problems.  Raw sewage leaking from pipes, water dripping through several ceilings, broken windows in the upper stories, and bird colonies roosting in the the home's storied towers were just the beginning of problematic scenarios for the Kappels.  Ms. Kappel worked as an art director for an ad agency while Mr. Kappel, a local actor, ran a children's theater.  Neither of the duo brought home riches from their jobs so when an engineer warned them that the back tower could collapse without some serious repointing and roof work, the couple likely wondered what they had gotten into.  Ms. Kappel laughed as she told me that they named the home "Ugly Gables" after removing layers of bird dung on the bricks of the upper story.  She quickly noted that the title was one of affection and that even though she has not lived in the home for twenty-four years, she still dreams about the place. The Kappel family dwelled in the home from 1974 to 1990.

In the top three photos, taken in 1974 and 1975, you can see what the home looked like when the family moved in.  A side porch, removed in the 1990s, still existed as well as several trees around the house.  The color photo, taken in 1975, reveals the condition of the back tower.  The bottom photo, taken in 1990, was shot in the last year that Carol and her daughter Chase lived in this very special home.

Carpenter Realtor photo of 5631 University Avenue in 1974...note the former side porch

5631 University Avenue in the winter of 1974

Tower trouble in 1975

Gorgeous shot of Johnson Home in 1990...photo by Carol Kappel

The photos and stories for this post are courtesy of Carol Kappel.