Doan Family Arrives in 1892

Twenty years after its founding in 1870, Irvington still had hundreds of lots available to would-be investors or future residents. The independent community had many features that attracted folks including Butler College and the strict covenants regarding alcohol, factories, and slaughterhouses. It would be the perfect place for the newly-married Wilson and Myra Holbrook Doan in 1892.

Mr. Doan was a rising star as an attorney in the city and as an active member with both the Republican and later the Prohibition Party.  An Indianapolis Journal article revealed that the construction on a brand new home for the couple began in March of 1892 on Elm (later Irvington) Avenue. Mr. Doan must have been earning a comfortable living by that time as his two-and-a-half story residence stood amidst at least four lots owned by him. We do not know the name of the builder or if there was an architect, but the Upright-and-Wing home used to have a long front porch and the entire residence reflected the popular Queen Anne style of the time. The couple would have three children although only two would survive into adulthood. The Doans, who were strictly in favor of temperance, were likely attracted to Irvington for many reasons including the fact that it was a dry community.

 The first child to be born to the Doans was Florence in 1893 followed by Marcia in 1894. In 1896, the couple welcomed Dorothy but she she died on March 18, 1899, of "brain congestion." Her funeral was held in the home on March 21. Shortly after her funeral, the couple received a shock when an intruder snuck into their home at two in the morning on April 4, 1899. Awakened by a sound, Mr. Doan noticed a man creeping towards his bed. He leapt at him and the burglar fled the scene with Mr. Doan's wallet containing three dollars. Several other homes were hit that night.

By all accounts, the Doan children enjoyed their childhood along Irvington Avenue. They certainly witnessed many changes. In an unpublished history, Florence recalled that Irvington Avenue used to be gas-lit and that Italians paved the street with bricks. She also witnessed the construction of many houses along the avenue. Photos from the early twentieth century, show that the children enjoyed their time outdoors. Both girls went to Shortridge High School as the Doans valued education.

Meanwhile, while Mrs. Doan was heavily involved in clubs and in the First Friends Meeting House, Mr. Doan began to get actively involved in politics. In 1900, he withdrew from the Republican Party and publicly announced his support for the Prohibition Party. His involvement grew in that new party so much so that when he gave the opening speech at the party's national convention in 1904 at Tomilinson Hall in Indianapolis, people in the audience began to shout "Vice President." His oration on that summer day likely inspired other like-minded Prohibitionists. Curiously, they held up Abraham Lincoln as their role model. In fact, Mr. Doan spoke in front of a giant portrait of the sixteenth President to over 1200 enthusiastic delegates. His entire speech was printed in the Indianapolis News. About his city, he boasted: "We are proud of our sober, industrious, and manly citizens." Another interesting quote came in the middle of the speech when he said, "Lincoln had a vision for his country that there should be no slaves and no drunkards." He received thundering applause throughout his oration.

Society clips in the Indianapolis newspapers reveal that Mrs. Doan frequently hosted the Irvington Woman's Club. In 1913, the topic for the members included "Napoleon and his wife Josephine." In 1927, the club's topic was more political as Mrs. Doan gave a presentation about whether women should serve on juries. Mr. Doan was a prolific writer and frequently contributed to local Quaker journals. He also published a book called Bush River about the westward expansion of the Quakers who opposed slavery.

Tragedy struck the family in the summer of 1921 when both Doan girls along with their cousins were involved in a horrific accident in Greenfield. Marcia Doan, who had just purchased a new automobile, had offered to drive the group to Richmond for the yearly meeting of the Friends. When they arrived in Greenfield, there was a detour that took the group over the traction tracks. Marcia likely panicked as she didn't see the trolley and her new car died on the tracks. She was killed and the rest of the riders suffered some terrible injuries although they survived.

Mr. and Mrs. Doan continued to reside in the large house even after Florence married and moved out. After Mr. Doan's death, Florence worried about her mother living in the house all by herself and she along with her husband moved into the home. While their residence has had several owners since then, their home remains intact and still has most of its 1890s features.

Members of the Doan family posed on their front porch at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1910
(photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Florence Doan, who had a cast on her arm, sits with her sister, Marcia in wagon along the sidewalk in front of 47 North Irvington Avenue c1903. We do not know the name of the young girl standing next to the wagon. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

The Doan sisters along with an unidentified boy rode in a carriage next to their home at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Marcia Doan, on the right, dressed in boy's clothes, posed in front of her childhood home at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. We do not know the name of the child on the left. 

The Doan sisters posed on a swing with Telford Orbison in their front yard at 47 North Irvington Avenue in June of 1903. Behind the kids, you can see the curve of Irvington Avenue as it winds towards Washington Street. The man in the photo was most likely Charles Orbison, a law partner and future neighbor to Mr, Doan. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Wilson Doan, a prominent attorney, sat on a bench next to his house at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. He and his wife Myra Holbrook Doan had the house built in 1892. 

Florence and Marcia Doan posed with an unidentified boy on their front porch at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1903. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Marcia and Florence Doan posed on a bench with a young girl in their front yard at 47 North Irvington Avenue in May 1903.  Note that there are no houses across the street! (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

The Doan sisters hosted a croquet match in their side yard at 47 North Irvington Avenue in June of 1903. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

One of the Doan children posed on her bike next to the family home at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

The Doan sisters in the front of line posed with other children in their side yard at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

All four members of the Doan family posed with their dog at the rear of 47 North Irvington Avenue c1910. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

The Doan sisters, on the right, posed with other children on their front porch at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Marcia Doan posed with "Ralph" in front of her home at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1907. The Orbison home at 51 North Irvington Avenue can be seen behind the children as well. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Florence Doan posed next to her home at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904. Perhaps it was the first day of school. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Marcia or Florence Doan posed on a bike next to her home at 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904.

The Doan sisters and some friends had fun in the snow in the lots north of their home at 47 North Irvington Avenue in the winter of 1904. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

The ghostly and snowy image of 47 North Irvington Avenue c1904: Note the windmill visible behind the residence. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

Wilson and Myra Holbrook Doan in 1918. (photo courtesy of Jim and Ann Brown; Indiana Album)

47 North Irvington Avenue in the winter of 2020

I wish to thank Jim and Ann Brown for their hospitality and information about 47 North Irvington Avenue. The Browns recently participated in a scan-a-thon for the Indiana Album, a digital museum dedicated to capturing images of Indiana. For more information on the Indiana Album, click on the link below. 

https://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/randomimages

Sources:  Late nineteenth-century information:  "Suburban Notes," Indianapolis Journal, March 17, 1892, 6; "Burglars in Irvington," Indianapolis News, April 5, 1899, 8; Early twentieth-century information: "Joins Prohibitionists," Indianapolis News, September 29, 1900, 6; "One Cheering Mass of Prohibitionists," Indianapolis News, January 29, 1904, 1; Accident--"Traction Car Crashes into Automobile," Greenfield Daily Republican, July 25, 1921, 1; Obituaries:  "Services Are Held for Wilson S. Doan, Well-Known Friend," Richmond Palladian-Item, April 29, 1930, 12; "Mrs. Myra H. Doan," Indianapolis Star, July 31, 1958, 13; Unpublished history of Florence Doan Power posted on the Indiana Album (see above link).

War Rationing Comes to Graham Avenue

The modest bungalow at 335 North Graham Avenue served as the home for the Richardson family as American troops fought during World War II.

George and Edythe Richardson married on December 11, 1938, and first resided in a small apartment at 4414 East New York Street. Later, they moved into 351 North Audubon Road with George's family. By 1943, they were ready to strike out on their own and relocated into the Graham Avenue home along with their children, Donn and Elizabeth. Arthur L. Chesterfield, the father of Edythe Richardson and owner of the Aluminum Finishing Company, lived with them as well. George worked at Allison's Engine at the time, but he would later work for his father-in-law. During the war, Mr. Richardson had to get up at three in the morning to go into work to assist with building military devices called bombsights. Edythe Richardson likely worried about all four of her brothers who all fought in the war. Her brother, Ed Chesterfield, helped to liberate the concentration camp known as Dachau. Her brother, Art Chesterfield, served as a guard during the Nuremberg Trials after the war was over. Her sisters also aided in the war effort at home.

As World War II raged on, Americans like the Richardsons received war ration booklets containing stamps. Every member of the family received a booklet including the very youngest who might need canned milk. Sugar, coffee, rubber, and gasoline were hard to get as the war dragged on so folks like the Richardsons had to use their rations to obtain certain products. The booklets pictured below, were issued by the government in 1943. Like many Americans, the family also planted a victory garden to raise their own produce. The Richardson family garden was actually located southeast of Washington Street and Arlington Avenue.

While the Richardson family really outgrew their bungalow almost as soon as they moved into it, they waited until the end of the war to move into a much larger residence at 477 North Audubon Road.

Edythe and George Richardson met at Butler University. They married in 1938 and moved into this bungalow at 335 North Graham Avenue in 1943. 

George Richardson stood along the walk in his front yard at 335 North Graham Avenue in 1943. 

George Richardson posed for a photograph in his front yard at 335 North Graham Avenue in 1943. Behind him, you can see the bungalow located at 333 North Graham Avenue. The Ratz family, neighbors to the Richardsons, lived in that residence for years. 

The Richardsons of 335 North Graham Avenue were issued ration booklets for each member of the family in 1943. Arthur Chesterfield, listed on one of the booklets, was the father of Edythe Richardson. 

I wish to thank Donn and Carolyn Richardson for making this post possible. 

Johnson and Julian Avenue Scenes Mid-1950s

Shortly after starting his new job with the Selective Service Administration in 1952, George H. Warner purchased the beautiful home at 66 Johnson Avenue. Mr. Warner, a veteran of World War II, had been employed with the Illinois Central Railroad from 1935 until 1952. One of his earliest tasks in his new position with the Selective Service System was to find jobs for conscientious objectors. Around 800 young men in Indiana needed placement and it was Captain Warner's job to find them positions in various hospitals or churches throughout the state. While he was at work, Louise Warner stayed at home and raised the couple's two children, Stephen and Anne. The Warners could easily get to church as the Irvington Presbyterian Church was just across the street. They remained in the home for about eleven years. Mr. Warner passed away in 1962 and the family continued to dwell in the house for another year before Mrs. Warner listed it with Charles B. Campbell, a local realtor.

Images from the Warner family collection show snowy and summer scenes in the 1950s at the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues.

An unusual fall snowstorm hit Irvington on November 1, 1954. A member of the Warner family at 66 Johnson Avenue documented the moment. 

Christmas 1955 at 66 Johnson Avenue--Pictured:  (Back row left to right) George H. Warner, Harlan Haworth; (Middle Row left to right) Louise Warner, Ethel Haworth, Ellen Sommerville; (front row) Anne Warner 

Anne Warner posed in her front yard at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1954. Other homes visible in the photo include both 58 and 54 Johnson Avenue.

Anne Warner stood in her front yard at 66 Johnson Avenue during a snowstorm in 1954. Behind her, you can see the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues. 5603 Julian Avenue is the most visible home in the image. 

George H. Warner built a snowman with his children, Anne and Stephen, in the side yard of their home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1955. Behind the family, you can see some of the homes in the 5500 block of Julian Avenue. 

Little Anne Warner posed with a neighborhood cat in the summer of 1955 next to her home at 66 Johnson Avenue. 

On a hot summer day in 1955, Steve Warner, Anne Warner, Dorothy Reasoner, and Larry Reasoner jumped into a kiddie pool in the side yard at 66 Johnson Avenue 

Steve Warner (front and lower left) posed with his many buddies at his home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1958. If you recognize any of these children, drop me a note at the e-mail listed on the side of the page and I will add their names!

Anne and Steve Warner posed next to their home at 66 Johnson Avenue in the summer of 1955. 

Wintry Scene 1954: A member of the Warner family snapped this snowy scene from the family home at 66 Johnson Avenue. In the photo, you can see the Irvington Presbyterian Church and the residences located in the 5600 block of Julian Avenue. 

66 Johnson Avenue in the waning days of 2019. 

I wish to thank Steve Warner for his generosity for the use of the photos. I also wish to thank Paul Diebold.

Sources: "Job Assignment for Objectors Begins," Indianapolis News, August 21, 1952, 29; Sale of home: "Sold the House," Indianapolis Star, October 20, 1963, 37.

Christmas in Irvington--1962

Nearly two inches of snow covered the rooftops and yards of Irvington homes on Christmas morning in 1962. For a little while during the day, the sun came out and folks like the Warner family at 66 Johnson Avenue grabbed their cameras and documented the gorgeous but cold day. The morning headlines in the Indianapolis Star mainly focused on Christmas, but there was a story about a prisoner swap with Cuba after the botched Bay of Pigs invasion. Icy road conditions troubled many travelers who had to get out on the highways on that day. At the intersection of Johnson and Julian Avenues, in a beautiful American Four Square, the Warner family opened their gifts and prepared the Christmas meal. George Warner worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and later the Indiana Selective Service while his wife Louise stayed home and raised the couple's two children, Anne and Steve.
 
Photos from that day show both interior and exterior shots of the Warner home as well as Johnson and Julian Avenue scenes. Interior images reveal the beautiful china that Mrs. Warner set out for the meal and the real Christmas tree next to the fireplace. Historian Paul Diebold, who now lives in the house along with his wife Peggy, was thrilled to see the original leaded glass windows that were formerly located next to the fireplace.

Time travelers from 1962 would easily recognize many of the landmarks along both streets. At least one house is still painted the same color nearly 60 years later.

66 Johnson Avenue on Christmas Day, 1962: You can also see the residences north of the Warner home along Johnson Avenue and the bungalow west of the their house on Julian Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Aiming for the sky: A member of the Warner family documented the snow in a nearby tree at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1962. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Johnson Avenue on Christmas Day, 1962. In the photo, you can see the Maplewood Apartments that housed many Disciple of Christ missionaries north of the Irvington Presbyterian Church. Beyond the apartments, you can see both 33 and 27 Johnson Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Mrs. Warner prepared a beautiful table for the Christmas meal. The candles were lit and the butter was on the table. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

Julian Avenue on Christmas Day, 1962: A member of the Warner family stood in their yard at 66 Johnson Avenue and aimed the camera east along Julian Avenue. The home most visible is that of 5603 Julian Avenue although many others on the south side of the street can also be seen. Off in the distance, you can see the rear of 108 South Audubon Road. The Irvington Presbyterian Church likely had either already held a service that day or would soon after the photo was snapped. Along the street, you will note the beautiful 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air parked nearby. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold)

The Christmas Tree at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1962: Note the leaded glass window that used be next to the fireplace. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold) 

Time for the gifts:  The Christmas tree in the Warner home at 66 Johnson Avenue in 1962. (Photo courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold) 

Photos and information about this post are courtesy of Steve Warner and Paul Diebold. 

Beautiful Images of Snow-Covered Irvington in the 1950s and 1960s

North Audubon Road, sometimes referred to as "Lovers' Lane," is a perfect setting for local photographers who want to capture the beauty of winter in Indiana. Members of the Richardson family, who moved into 477 North Audubon just after World War II, grabbed their cameras to document several serene and fun moments over the years along their wintry street.

The Richardsons first moved into 477 North Audubon Road in 1947. Their beautiful Arts and Crafts-era home looked perfect in this wintry scene snapped c1950. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

The intersection of East Michigan Street and North Audubon c1950: The photographer, a member of the Richardson family, stood on Audubon Road and aimed the camera towards the north. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

Off in the distance, young sledders made their way down the hill at Ellenberger Park c1952 (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

An unidentified home perhaps along North Audubon Road or Pleasant Run Parkway c1950 (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

Believe it or not, there is a street under that snow. Branches drooped over the 400 block of North Audubon Road c 1950. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

George and Edythe Richardson lived at 477 North Audubon for most of the second half of the twentieth century. They loved to decorate their beautiful spruce tree in the front yard at Christmas. This image was likely snapped c1965. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

George Richardson of 477 North Audubon Road attempted to dig out his car from the deep snows dropped during the blizzard of 1978. (photo courtesy of Donn and Carolyn Richardson)

A special thanks to Donn and Carolyn Richardson for making this post possible. 

House in Photo Identified

It took me nearly five years, but I have finally identified a house in a photograph from the Ted Lollis collection. In the photo, Ted Lollis and most likely the Seaton twins can be seen racing around a yard on their tricycles. Even though I knew that Mr. Lollis grew up on Julian Avenue, I could not place the house in the photo. Then, it hit me like a thunderbolt. Notice the clothes drying on the line? That meant that we are actually looking at the rear of a house and not the front. The drive that is visible actually goes from an alley to the back of a house. The children were actually playing in the backyard of the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue. The home most visible in the image is that of 5911 Julian Avenue. Since the photo was likely taken around 1942 that meant that the laundry drying on the line belonged to Charles and Genevieve Willis. Mystery solved.

Ted Lollis and Jean and Jane Seaton steer their tricycles in the backyard of the Lawton home at 5915 Julian Avenue in 1942. Behind the kids, you can see the home and laundry of Charles and Genevieve Willis who resided at 5911 Julian Avenue. (photo courtesy of Ted Lollis) 

Google Streetview aided my research efforts. I have marked the Lawton home at 5915 Julian where the kids were playing in the backyard. You will see that the driveway is in the same place as it was in 1942 as it connects to a back alley. If you look closely, you can see that the small back porch that still exists at 5911 Julian Avenue.