Wedding Day Prank--1954

Julius Becker grew up at 5621 Beechwood Avenue.  On the day of his wedding reception on November 27, 1954, his buddies playfully toyed with his car in the driveway of the Becker home.  The newlyweds still managed to start the car, but Mr. Becker's friends were clearly having a lot of fun in this photograph. The bungalow behind the young men belonged to Chester and Wilma Bowles at 5623 Beechwood Avenue.  Mr. Bowles worked as a department manager for the Indianapolis Paper Container Company in 1954.  Mrs. Bowles stayed home and raised the couple's two children. Did any member of the Bowles family peer out a window to see this mayhem?  They had a perfect view.  

Wedding Day Shenanigans:  Young men from the Becker-Pirtle wedding party fiddle with the engine of the car belonging the groom, Julius Becker.  Behind the revelers, you can see the bungalow at 5623 Beechwood Avenue on November 27, 1954.  

The historic image is courtesy of Suzette Hagan.  To see a contemporary shot of 5623 Beechwood Avenue, click on the link below.  

A Wedding Reception Along Beechwood Avenue--1954

It had been a joyful day for the Becker and Pirtle families. At 11:00AM on November 27, 1954, Julius Becker married Gloria Pirtle at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. A snowstorm had struck the city of Indianapolis earlier that day. The Becker family of 5621 Beechwood Avenue hosted the wedding reception at their lovely home. Neighbors all along the block would have noticed many automobiles parked along the quiet street as the snow began to melt. Inside the home, joy and laughter emanated as friends and family feted the couple. As with all newlyweds, joy, sadness, worry, and peace awaited them, but on this day and on this block there was only excitement and hope. The historic photos were taken by a photographer named Conolly.

Mothers' Joy:  Gloria Pirtle Becker and Julius Becker showed off their new rings to their moms,  Ona Pirtle and  Dorothy Becker, on November 27, 1954, inside the Becker home at 5621 Beechwood Avenue.  

Pirtle Kin at 5621 Beechwood Avenue on November 27, 1954: Seated--Eva Crawl,  Grace and Leonard Pirtle, Ona Pirtle, Jessie Besier with her baby, James Besier; Standing--Lester Crawl, Julius and Gloria Pirtle Becker, Louis Besier, Larry Crawl

Illinois relatives of the Becker family gathered in the living room of the Becker home at 5621 Beechwood Avenue for this photo on November 27, 1954

Reception:  The bride, Gloria Pirtle Becker, visited with her guests at her wedding reception at the home of her in laws,  at 5621 Beechwood Avenue on November 27, 1954.

Newlyweds, Julius and Gloria Pirtle Becker cut the first slice from the wedding cake on November 27, 1954, at the Becker home at 5621 Beechwood Avenue.  

5621 Beechwood Avenue in 2014

The historic images are courtesy of Suzette Hagan.  

A View from Our Lady of Lourdes, 1954 and 2014

Gloria Pirtle beamed as she ascended the stairs along with her mother, Ona Pirtle, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on East Washington Street on November 27, 1954. An unusual snowstorm had struck the city of Indianapolis only hours earlier. The cold temperatures kept the snow on the ground but did not prevent her guests from witnessing her marriage to Julius Becker. (5621 Beechwood Avenue)

Behind the two ladies, you can see the large house at 5332 East Washington Street on the left and the double located at 5334-36 East Washington Street.  The larger home had been carved into apartments by 1954.  Mary Stamper and Clayton Spindler were listed in the larger dwelling in the 1954 Polk's City Directory.  Several families resided in the double next door including the Crichfields, Williamses, McDavitts, and Johantgens.

On her wedding day:  Gloria Pirtle walked into Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with her mother, Ona Pirtle, on November 27, 1954.

5332 and 5334-36 East Washington Street in 2014

The historic image is courtesy of Suzette Hagan.  

The Becker Family Moves into Beechwood Avenue Home--1947

Wilmer Horace and Dorothy Nevins Becker moved into 5621 Beechwood Avenue in 1947. They were only the third family to dwell in the home. The house served briefly as a sorority for Butler University in the 1920s.  Mr. Becker was involved in several businesses.  He owned Studebaker and Overland auto franchises in several cities including Indianapolis. Eventually, he specialized in spare parts for various automobiles. His granddaughter, Suzette Hagan, referred to him as a resourceful "wheeler-dealer!" Mrs. Becker stayed home and raised their son Julius.  She was very active at Our Lady of Lourdes church and was an avid bridge player. Members of the Becker family have continuously owned and lived in the house since 1947. The house is currently undergoing an extensive renovation.

Wedding Cake:  Ona Pirtle (mother of the bride) and Dorothy and Wilmer Becker stand in library of their home at 5621 Beechwood Avenue on November 27, 1954. They hosted the reception for their son Julius who married Gloria Pirtle.

Indy 500 Gift:  Racing celebrities looked on as W.H. Becker, Indianapolis Studebaker dealer delivered a new ’49 truck to the Speedway City Fire Department. Left to Right: H.R. Morrissey, district manager; Mauri Rose, three-time winner of the 500 mile race; Becker; F.W. Bulmer, fire chief; Ted Horn, national racing champion; Ab Jenkins, automobile record holder; Harry Hartz, former national automobile racing champion; Lee Oldfield, chairman of the AAA technical committee 

Becker Motors used to be located at 420 North Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis. Mr. Becker owned several other dealerships all over the Midwest.  This building has been demolished. 

Ladies of the Club:  Members of Mrs. Becker's bridge club came to the wedding reception of her son on November 27, 1954 at 5621 Beechwood Avenue. Mrs. Becker is the second woman seated from the left. We do not know the names of the other ladies.  

5621 Beechwood Avenue in the early spring of 2014

The historic photos and information for this post are courtesy of Suzette Hagan. To see earlier views of this beautiful home click on the Forsythe Family link below.  

On Her Own--Mrs. Emmajane Aumann--c1948

Carl F. and Emmajane Aumann moved into their dream home at 614 North Bosart Avenue in the Emerson Heights neighborhood in 1928.  Their son, Robert, was fourteen at the time. The beautiful American Four Square had been home to families since the 1910s.  Mr. Aumann worked his way up at the E.C. Atkins Company from sawsmith to eventually a foreman. Sadly, he died at the age of 62 in 1947 leaving Mrs. Aumann a widow.  She never remarried and lived in the house until 1981.  In this photo, taken shortly after her husband's death, Emmajane Aumann stood next to the family home.  Her shrubs and vines grew lushly next to the house.

Emmajane Aumann stood next to the family home at 614 North Bosart Avenue c1948

The historic image is courtesy of Barbara Sanders. To see a contemporary image of the house click on the link below.  

The Lavelle Family Moves into a Prairie Beauty--1924

     The beautiful brick home located at 5720 Lowell Avenue is one of the best examples of the Prairie style located within the city of Indianapolis. Built in 1923, the first folks to call this stunning structure “home” were members of the Lavelle family. Thomas Aloysius and Flora McDonnell Lavelle along with four of their seven children moved in and remained until 1939.  Mr. Lavelle owned and ran a large foundry so he could afford the $15,000 price tag for tasteful home. Prairie architects sought to create a uniquely American style free of the European rules. The Lavelle home is unlike any other in the neighborhood. Thankfully, it has been beautifully restored.  

On the porch of their new home at 5720 Lowell Avenue: Thomas and Flora Lavelle with their children John, Lucy, Florence, and Nancy c1925

Gathering in the backyard of 5720 Lowell Avenue c1925: Flora, Thomas, Lucy, Nancy, Florence, and John Lavelle

5720 Lowell Avenue in 2014

The historic photos are courtesy of the Lavelle family via Ancestry.com

Color Photo of Missions Building--1955

The Disciples of Christ had been operating the Missions facility at 222 South Downey Avenue for forty-five years when this photo was published in the form of a postcard in 1955.  The organization sent missionaries all over the world and invited many people from faraway lands to help train Americans.  The organization eventually obtained the Bona Thompson Library when Butler University moved to the Fairview campus in 1928. Over the years they added wings, an auditorium, and a community room on to the sprawling site.  In fact, the complex became the international headquarters for the Disciple of Christ and churches from all around the world received memos, letters, and missives from 222 South Downey Avenue.  This image shows the structures on a beautiful early autumn day. You can also see that Downey and Ohmer Avenues were still bricked in the mid-20th century. If you look closely, you can see the edge of the Bona Thompson Library at the far left with long boat-like automobiles parked in a nearby lot.

The Disciples of Christ maintained their international headquarters at the Missions Building (222 South Downey Avenue). It can be seen here in 1955.