Boys Play Near Farmer's Field--1940

Duff Thompson and Bill Wilkins lived in the 6100 block of Dewey Avenue in 1940. The boys had plenty of room to play as Dewey Avenue dead-ended into a field east of the neighborhood. Most of the folks who lived in that block rented or owned small bungalows built in the 1920s. In this photo, you can see the two boys and the wide open space behind them. After World War II, a developer built several small brick homes on the open land. This historic image is courtesy of Sue Thompson.

Staggering Loss--5400 block of East Washington St.

Nothing is more staggering than to see what Irvington has lost in the way of its historic commercial corridor. This photo, taken in 1950 for an Indianapolis newspaper, depicts a vibrant street. Every structure in this photo with the exception of the the brick building barely visible at the end of the row is now gone. East Washington Street became a victim of the mass exodus of businesses out of the Irvington and towards Shadeland Avenue and beyond. This trend began in the 1960s and continued unabated until 2000. Residents also fled the neighborhood for greener pastures.

By the 1980s, a bookstore featuring pornography, cash and pawn shops, and a host of other businesses of the same ilk began to take root. In the 5400 block, several buildings sat empty for years and derelict landlords allowed the structures to crumble. When Walgreen's entered the scene in the early 1990s, Irvington residents jumped at the chance for revitalizing a sagging corner. Walgreen's came into the neighborhood with caveat in that they would not only tear down historic buildings, they would place a parking lot in front of the building. This was the beginning of the end for the historic structures on the north side of East Washington Street in that block. By 2002, the destruction was complete with the addition of a suburban strip mall.

Thankfully, brighter times now exist for Irvington. The neighborhood is protected under the auspices of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. The 5600 block is as vibrant now as when it was first built in the 1920s. While it is too late to save two blocks of historic buildings, we can now do our parts to be caretakers of this lovely place so that the next generation can enjoy it. This era of neighbors shall be given credit in the future for not only saving the historic fabric of the community, but restoring it as well.

Lost Irvington--5500 East Washington Street

While most of Irvington's residential area remains intact, the commercial artery has suffered severe losses over the years. Both the 5400 and 5500 blocks have been the most devastated. Much of the destruction of the 5500 block has occurred in the last ten years by Tharp Investments. In this newspaper photo, taken in 1950, you can see the liveliness and density of the block. All of the buildings visible in this photo are now GONE! All of the demolition took place before Irvington was a preservation district. Since gaining protected status, Tharp has attempted to demolish more of the neighborhood, but has been stopped. On May 2, 2012, (5:30--City County Building) the firm will once again try to remove another piece of Irvington's heritage at 5502 East Washington Street. The last remaining historic structure on the north side of the 5500 block of East Washington Street could face the wrecking ball if the corporation gets its wish. This photo is an illustration as to why Irvingtonians must PROTECT what we have left. Perhaps one day, the rest of Washington Street will get to experience the glorious renaissance taking place in the 5600 block.

Taking a Walk--1937

Newly-married Evelyn Schneider Ferling paused in front of the newly-built Fourth Church of Christ Science at 5201 Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive in 1937 for this photo. Mrs. Ferling, who grew up at 327 Poplar Road in the Pleasanton section of Irvington, married Tom Ferling of Bosart Avenue. They first lived in the Mary Elizabeth Apartments along East Washington Street.

Irvington Christian Scientists purchased lots for a church in 1924, but did not construct a building on the site until 1936. Notice that in this photo, taken shortly after the completion of the structure, that there are no tall sycamores shading the lovely corner. Mrs. Ferling was not a member of the church, but the combination of the bench, the new building, and her fashionable coat made it a perfect place for a photograph. This wonderful image is courtesy of her son, Bill Ferling.

Lost Irvington--The Neighborhood Grocery

Prior to the 1950s, most Irvington residents obtained their grocery products from small neighborhood stores within walking distance of their homes. Larger grocery chains like Standard Grocery put many of the smaller shops out of business by the mid-twenieth century although a few remained longer.

In this wonderful photo, neighborhood girlfriends gather along Beechwood Avenue for a photo in 1953. Behind the kids, you can see the former Wuest Grocery Store at 5902 Beechwood Avenue. William J. Wuest, the child of German immigrants, and his wife Anna opened the business in the new building in 1920. The family lived next door at 385 Good Avenue.

By the 1950s, the structure was used as a beauty shop and as an apartment. Sadly, by 2010, it sat derelict and vacant. On the night of April 20, 2010, a teenaged arsonist entered the building and destroyed the historic structure.

Pictured in the top photo taken in 1953 are: Linda Bevis, Debbie St. John, Claudia St. John, Donna Bevis, and Jean Ferling. This image is courtesy of Bill Ferling.

The bottom photo, taken in April of 2010, by a WISHTV reporter, shows the structure on fire and before it was demolished.

More research is needed on this grocery and on others that served residents along East Washington Street, Audubon Road, Arlington Avenue, and Dewey Avenue.

Residents Hurt: Historic Apartment Heavily Damaged

Residents of the La Mae Apartment Building at 5143 East Washington Street struggled to get out the structure alive today after a fire started around 12:24PM. Local media outlets are reporting that all ten units are damaged and that the building is a total toss. Several were seriously hurt and one man had to resort to jumping out of a second story window. Police and fire investigators are still on the scene as I type this post. (5:15PM--3/2/2012)

The La Mae was constructed during the late 1920s during the apartment building boom along East Washington Street. The very first apartment units to be constructed in Irvington were the Audubon Court Apartments on the southeast corner of East Washington Street and Audubon Road in 1914.

The contemporary photos were taken after the fire on March 2, 2012.

Hearing Postponed Until May 2, 2012

Tharp Investments has asked for a continuance on a request to demolish 5502 East Washington Street. The firm seeks to remove the former Irvington Post Office and Hook's Drug Store so that they can obtain seven additional parking spaces. The company will make their case in front of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission in the City County Building on May 2, 2012, at 5:30 PM. Mark your calendars!! More details will be posted as they become available.