School #85 and Arlington Avenue Photos From 1947 and c1950

Arlington Avenue used to be a narrow two-way street.  The McCleery family dwelled at 317 South Arlington throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s.  In the top photo, Wilda Lee and her brother Chuck go for a ride on the sidewalk in front of their home in 1947.  Notice how narrow the street is behind them and that a car has just gone by.  Five years after this photo was taken, Chuck was playing very close to the street and was grazed by an auto.  He had to be rushed to the doctor to receive several stitches.  His parents Lee and Jane McCleery eventually decided to move from the busy street to Beechwood Avenue.

In the second photo, a snowstorm had struck the city c1950.  School #85 looks quite beautiful amidst the trees.  These historic images are courtesy of Chuck McCleery. Many more images from this amazing collection will be posted soon.

Wilda Lee McCleery gives her little brother a ride in 1947.  The McCleerys dwelled at 317 South Arlington Avenue. You can see IPS #85 across the street.

IPS #85 (c1950) after a snowstorm

Building Boom Along Ritter Avenue c1906

Grace Hackleman and her two daughters, Helen and Margaret, prepared to go for a walk along North Ritter Avenue most likely on a chilly day in 1906 or 1907.  Not only is the street about to be bricked, but across the street you can see the brand new home of Evington Davis at 41 North Ritter Avenue.  Mr. Davis and his family would dwell in the beautiful Dutch Colonial home for nearly twenty years. The Hacklemans lived in a recently-built American Four Square at 34 North Ritter Avenue.  The photographer, Charles Hackleman, faced north so you can also view 65 North Ritter Avenue and homes along Lowell Avenue.  This wonderful historic image is courtesy of the Larry Muncie Collection from the Irvington Historical Society.

The Hacklemans of 34 North Ritter Avenue go for a stroll c1906. The Davis home across the street at 41 North Ritter Avenue still stands today.  

Time for a Ride--c1907

These lovely middle class ladies paused sometime on a warm day most likely in 1907 along Ritter Avenue for this photograph.  Behind them, you can see 31 and 39 North Ritter Avenue.  Both homes are currently standing.  The street had been newly bricked and in one photo, the horses have christened the avenue.  Although the names of the women are not known, they are likely connected with the Hackleman family, who dwelled at 34 North Ritter Avenue.  These wonderful images are courtesy of the Larry Muncie Collection from the Irvington Historical Society.

Ladies in a carriage in front of 31 North Ritter Avenue c1907

Pausing for a photo on a lovely day in front of 39 North Ritter Avenue c 1907

Aerial Photo Reveals Structures in Western Irvington-c1923

This stunning aerial photo, taken in the skies over Irvington around 1923, shows vast parts of the neighborhood.  The pilot from Weaver's Air Service must have used Downey Avenue Christian Church as his focus.  You will see that building towards the bottom of the photo.  This church predates the current structure on the site.  The Sunday School building south of the church is no longer standing.  Across the street, you can see the Scot Butler mansion at 124 Downey Avenue.  It was replaced in 1958 by a circular mid-century office building for the Disciples of Christ.  Most of the remaining structures in the photo still stand in 2013.  Our Lady of Lourdes Church, located in the center and left of the photo, is an earlier church structure.  Streets visible in this photo include:  Hibben Avenue, Julian Avenue, Downey Avenue, East Washington Street, North and South Irvington Avenue, Whittier Place, North Hawthorne Lane, Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive, Lowell Avenue, and Hill Street.   Many of the homes along Pleasant Run Parkway had not yet been built.

Aerial shot of western Irvington c1924 (click to make it larger)

Brief Break! Will Return Soon!!

Stay tuned for more great shots of historic Irvington this summer.  I am taking a very brief break and will resume posting soon.  Drop me a note at williamfranklingulde.com if you or anyone you know has great vintage shots of this wonderful neighborhood.  Sincerely, Bill

The Earl Family of 5631 University Avenue c1880

The Coryas Plan a Trip--1960

Richard and Martha Corya dwelled at 329 Burgess Avenue in 1960.  Sitting in their parlor and surveying maps for their route down the Natchez Trail in the South, the Coryas were photographed by a society reporter for the Indianapolis News.  Behind the couple, you can see the beautiful Victorian fireplace with tiles and what appears to be a coat of arms.  Someone has painted the mantel, but who didn't after World War II?  Magazines at the time told housewives to remove vestiges of the Victorian era by painting over the woodwork with a nice glossy white enamel.  Today's Irvingtonians have spent many hours removing that trend and going back to the natural wood stain.

Richard and Martha Corya sit in their parlor at 329 Burgess Avenue in 1960

329 Burgess Avenue on June 29, 2013

This photo is courtesy of the descendants of the Corya Family via Ancestry.com

Block Party: The Flanagans of South Butler Avenue

History correspondent, Paula Schmidt, has been documenting photos and stories of southwestern Irvington for several months.  In this post, she has managed to track down the Flanagan family, who had several connections to this part of the neighborhood.  I am indebted to Ms. Schmidt for her excellent detective work and also for finding these wonderful historic images. WFG

Block Party: The Flanagans of South Butler Avenue

By Paula Schmidt

One of the amazing Irvington realities, to a suburban girl like me, was the number of extended families living in this neighborhood. I began writing about our home at 50 South Butler Avenue and the initial story was about the Schnorr family who built the home in 1920. As I filled in more recent history, I realized that there was another family story to be told, and it was one that spread through several generations and multiple homes on Butler and Julian.  It is why "fond memories" for Irvington were mentioned by both the Schnorrs (see link below) and the Flanagans who revisited the home later in their lives. 

When John P. (Jack) and Mary (Hittle) Flanagan purchased 50 South Butler Avenue in 1968, they knew the house because Mary Flanagan grew up next door at 44 South Butler Avenue. Her parents, George and Ellen Hittle, resided downstairs and her brothers lived upstairs.  I was told that when Mary was growing up, Butler Avenue was a two-way street with curbside parking and her father was instrumental in converting it to a one-way street.    From 1948 to 1968, John P. and Mary Flanagan owned a double at 40-42 South Butler Avenue, to the north of the Hittle's. They raised their family: John Jr., Jim, and Theresa, on one side of the double, and their Aunt Rosemary (Flanagan) Boswell lived in the other half. Between attending Our Lady of Lourdes School and managing paper routes for the Star and News, it seemed that the Hittles and Flanagans either, knew everyone in the extended neighborhood or they were related to many people in some way.  Can you image the fun of having cousins next door as well as your grandparents?!

In 1968, there was a great deal of moving but the tradition of living next to family continued.  When the Flanagan family purchased 50 South Butler Avenue, John Jr. purchased his grandparents' home and George Hittle moved just 50 yards away to 5251 East Julian Avenue. The entire family moved all of the furniture (including the piano) two houses south. It must have been quite an experience.  

James and Theresa Flanagan play in front of 44 South Butler Avenue in 1954

Easter Sunday in front of 44 South Butler Avenue in 1963.  Pictured:  Theresa, James, and Mary Hittle Flanagan

44 South Butler Avenue in 2013 (photo by Paula Schmidt)

Winter Fun:  James, John Jr., and Theresa Flanagan play in front of 44 South Butler Avenue.  Behind the kids you can see the Thormyer Home at 93 South Butler Avenue.

First Communion:  Theresa Flanagan stands with her father, Jack Flanagan, in front of 40-42 South Butler Avenue in 1960.  The Flanagans could easily walk to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

40-42 South Butler Avenue in 2013 (photo by Paula Schmidt)

5251 East Julian Avenue in 2013 (photo by Paula Schmidt)

50 South Butler Avenue in 2013 (photo by Paula Schmidt)