Blueprints Emerge for Mid-Twentieth-Century Ranch Double

Few lots remained for construction in the Irvington area after World War II, but developers managed to find a few empty sites for construction.  In 1952, William P. Hurt (23 North Kenmore Road) built a ranch double at 5243-45 East Market Street.  The modest brick abode was to have a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom on each side although each tenant would have access to a basement.  The Hurt family were realtors and owned a development corporation although it appears that William P. Hurt actually worked for the Hoosier Box Manufacturing Company.  Mr. Hurt grew up along Kitley Avenue and lived with his wife Marian in a variety of places in the area.

Most of the tenants who dwelled in the double did not stay long. Edgar T. and Bess Britton were the first to call 5243 home.  Mr. Britton was a field representative for The National Infantile Paralysis Foundation.  Polio still struck thousands of Americans after World War II.  The Brittons likely celebrated the news in 1954 when a vaccine for the debilitating disease had been created by Jonas Salk. The Brittons did not stay long in Indianapolis. They eventually moved back to Michigan, their home state.

Charles R. and Pauline Bradshaw lived at the 5245 side in 1952.  Mr. Bradshaw worked as a printer for the Indianapolis Times, a newspaper that served the city from 1928 to 1965.  The Bradshaws did not stay long because like so many others, they needed a larger home.  Other early dwellers of the double included Ray and Anita Williams (1955); Paul and Phyllis Bird (1955); Mrs. Cecil G. Slater (1960); and Floyd E. Carpenter (1960).

When Historic Landmarks (now Indiana Landmarks) conducted their important survey of the neighborhood in the mid-1980s, dwellings like 5243-5245 East Market Street were labeled as "non-contributing."  Few suburban ranch-style homes existed in the established neighborhood so the philosophy at the time deemed homes like this one as an intrusion.  Now, having served the neighborhood for over sixty-two years, it is clear that for dozens of families this site has been a contributing factor to the history of the neighborhood.

Blueprints for 5243-45 East Market Street for William P. Hurt in 1952

5243-45 East Market Street in the spring of 2014

The blueprints are courtesy of local historian, Glory-June Greiff.

Irvington Boy Scouts c1907

They gathered in a large room most likely in a commercial building along South Audubon Road or perhaps East Washington Street for a photo.  This scene, of Boy Scouts affiliated with the Irvington Presbyterian Church, appears to be quite disorganized. Some of the boys were looking into the camera while others were turned away. Two boys were wearing their scouting uniforms while most were dressed in typical early twentieth-century attire complete with breeches and long socks.  Some of the boys were laughing and smiling while others seemed to be quite pensive or distracted.  Sadly, we do not know the name of one young man. This photo serves as a cautionary tale for all to label photographs so that people in the future will know your name!

Irvington Presbyterian Church Scouts c1907

This image is courtesy of Bill Ferling and the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  

The Plotner Family Arrives For Church--c1955

Mr. and Mrs Harold Plotner (5735 Beechwood Avenue) arrived for Sunday services at the Irvington Presbyterian Church sometime in 1955. Awaiting them, was photographer Reuben L. Brullow, who was taking photos for a future publication commemorating the history of the church.  The Plotners were active members of the congregation.  Harry Plotner worked at the International Harvester Company on Brookville Road as did many others in southern Irvington in the mid-twentieth century.  Local resident, Larry Muncie, who grew up near the Plotners remembered the family fondly.  Mr. Muncie noted that it was Mr. Plotner who asked him to help with recording church services on closed-circuit television.  Dr. Howard Stone was the minister at the time and during his tenure the church broadcasted services on Channel 8.

The American Four Square home visible in the photo behind the Plotners was that of 58 Johnson Avenue.  To see that house today, click on the link below.

The Plotner Family of 5735 Beechwood Avenue arrived for services at the Irvington Presbyterian Church c1955

The historic photo is courtesy of Bill Ferling and the Irvington Presbyterian Church.  Information about the Plotners is courtesy of local historian, Larry Muncie.  

Visiting Family Along East Michigan Street-c1940

Mary Spear and Neil Troyer dropped by to visit family members, Russell and Hazel Schulz, of 4826 East Michigan Street c1940.  It appears that Hazel Schulz was likely the photographer while Russell Schulz stood on the porch behind the young couple.  Mr. Schulz was a clerk for the U.S. Post Office while Mrs. Schulz raised the couple's two children, Russell, Jr., and Irving.  You can see a photo of Mr. and Mrs. Schulz in the second image taken in the late 1930s at 5120 East North Street in northwestern Irvington. The Schulzs rented both homes.

Mary Spear and Neil Troyer pose in front of the Schulz home at 4826 East Michigan Street c1940

Russell and Hazel Schulz stand next to their rented home at 5120 East North Street c1935.

To see an image of the large double at 4826 East Michigan Street today, click on the link below. The historic images are courtesy of the descendants of the Shelburn Family via Ancestry.com.

At the Intersection of Dewey and Good Avenues

Ora and Mildred Heithecker of Brazil, Indiana rented half a double at 5843 Dewey Avenue in the late 1930s and early 1940s.  Mr. Heithecker worked as an equipment inspector for the state of Indiana.  The couple paid $35 a month in rent.  Their two young children, Janis and Harold, enjoyed playing and riding their bikes along Dewey and Good Avenues. While the world seemed to be falling into chaos and war, the US was still at peace and warm summer days provided endless fun for the youth of Irvington.  In the top photo, the children were carefully posed next to the family home in 1939. They were dressed up so perhaps it was for a special event.  In the bottom photo, Janis Heithecker enjoyed a bike ride along Dewey.  The photographer not only captured a beautiful image of her, but behind her you can see Good Avenue.  Contemporary images show the same views in 2014.

Heithecker children in front of 5843 Dewey Avenue

5843-45 Dewey Avenue in 2014

A car pulls off of Good Avenue onto Dewey Avenue behind Janis Heithecker in 1940.

The intersection of Dewey and Good Avenues in 2014

The historic images are courtesy of the Heithecker descendants via Ancestry.com.  

Little Flower Catholic School Graduation--1930

Eastside Indianapolis Roman Catholics had few options in the early twentieth century. St. Philip Neri opened its parish doors in 1908 followed by Our Lady of Lourdes in Irvington in 1909.  As more Catholics moved into neighborhoods surrounding Irvington, the need for more churches grew.  In 1926, the Archdioceses of Indianapolis opened the St. Therese Little Flower School and parish. Located at 1401 North Bosart Avenue, the school serviced congregants in the Little Flower and Emerson Heights neighborhoods. Some Warren Township farmers sent their children to the school as well.  Like many Catholic schools, the institution educated children until the eighth grade.  In this photo, taken in 1930, Father Doyle (later Monsignor John J. Doyle) and Father Duffy posed with eight graduates.  Most of the kids lived nearby.  Albert Berlier's family had a rural route address and lived north of 13th Street along Arlington Avenue.  George Marter traveled from Chester Avenue while Fred Ward dwelled nearby on Colorado Avenue.  Ralph Robisch could have easily walked to school from his home at 904 North Emerson Avenue.  Cecelia Wilson's home remains a mystery, but Louise Hansman dwelled at 4608 East 10th Street.  Her family kept this photo and later posted it on Ancestry.com.  Marie Parks lived in a beautiful brick home at 1115 North Leland Avenue.  Helen Hall commuted from Grant Avenue.  Many of the children came from large families whose brothers and sisters attended Little Flower School.

Little Flower 8th Grade Graduates in 1930

 This photo is courtesy of the descendants of the Hansman family via Ancestry.com.  

Dutch Colonial Home Revival!!

One of the most exciting moments for a preservationist and historian living in this great neighborhood we call Irvington, is to see a wreck of a home undergoing a sensitive and beautiful restoration.  Watching this dwelling come back to life, I began to wonder...who first lived here? The 1910 Federal Census revealed that John Gysie, a retired shoe merchant from southern Indiana, along with his wife Mary, and his eighty-nine-year-old mother moved into the new house in 1910.  (It used to have the address of 5607 Burgess Avenue)  Many other families called the cottage home over the decades but recently the home fell into disrepair, caught fire, and was damaged by a nearby house explosion in 2004.  Previous owners had also covered up much of the charm of the structure with cheap vinyl siding.  The forlorn abode at the southeast corner of Burgess Avenue and Ritter Avenue seemed to be in a downward spiral.

Then, Brad Amiano, who runs his own landscape company, and DJ Smith, a music instructor, arrived in Irvington and saw tremendous potential in the troubled property.  The results have been staggering.  Neighbors gasped in sympathy as the siding came off and the problems emerged; however, Brad and DJ soldiered on, restoring the wood siding the the wood shake.  They also had to put on a new roof and they even restored the proper porch columns.  While the renovation is still ongoing, the couple have also turned their attention inward as the home contains a beautiful staircase, hardwood floors, built-in benches, and a stained-glass piano window.  The blase´ and uninteresting can come back to life when preservation-minded people with vision like Brad Amiano and DJ Smith invest in a neighborhood. They are role models for all of us.  

373 Burgess Avenue undergoing renovation in 2014 (Photo courtesy of DJ Smith and Brad Amiano)

Problems emerged with the removal of the vinyl siding at 373 Burgess Avenue, but the homeowners were not daunted by the discovery.  (Photo courtesy of DJ Smith and Brad Amiano)

The "after" shot of 373 Burgess Avenue taken in the spring of 2014.  Most of the exterior work is nearly complete. 

Stained Glass Piano Window at 373 Burgess Avenue (Photo courtesy of DJ Smith and Brad Amiano)

Stunning staircase at 373 Burgess Avenue after refinishing (Photo courtesy of Brad Amiano and DJ Smith)

A welcoming porch once again at 373 Burgess Avenue.  Note the original front door.  

Renovation photos and stories are courtesy of Brad Amiano and DJ Smith.