Ellenberger Park Swim Team--1960

Prior to the purchase of Ellenberger Park in 1910 by the city of Indianapolis, this tract of land was known as Ellenberger Woods by local Irvingtonians. Over the decades, the city added trails, tennis and basketball courts, a skating rink, and a swimming pool. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of east side residents learned to swim in this pool or cool off on a hot summer afternoon. In this photo members of the Ellenberger Park Swim Team pose for a photo after winning the city championship in 1960. Dave Hines served as the swim coach. He also coached basketball at Washington High School. I am especially indebted to Nancy Hoff for not only submitting this photo, but including the names of most of the young people in the picture. They are listed below.

Ellenberger Swim Team – 1960

Standing: Coach Dave Hines

Steve Koepper, Will Lamb, Chuck Kiskaden, John Purvis, Dick Carpenter, Don ?, Linda Walton, Pat Overmeyer, Linda Gibbs, Kathy Griffin, Sharon Mosley

Leaning: Jack Hildebrant, Leda Williamson, Steve Doll, Dave Hollingsworth, Mandy Gelarden, Sarah Long, Margaret Surface, John Marlat, Mary Beth O’Brien, John Potts, Billy Argeropolis, Billy Overmeyer

On Knees: Kathy Williams, Randy Bohall, Phil Bohall, Bill Hoff, Lucy Marlatt, Pam Sparks, Sherene Personett, Nancy Hoff, Mary Murry, Jane Walden, Sandy Cherry

Squatting: Greg Macall, Greg’s friend, Sandy Doll, Mary Murry’s friend, Susie Hines, Sandy Mosley, Sue Cherry, Pete McArthur, Bill Hurrley, Craig?

Sitting: ???, Frank Lemons, ??? Red, Jerry Burk, Steve Hurrley, Cindy Cherry, 1960 Trophy Award, Theresa Hurrley, Diana Don’s sister, Michelle Mosley, ??? Potts, Karen Darling, Danny Potts, Elizabeth Murry, Kandy Doll

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Photos c.1921

The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity brothers lived in a large rambling Queen Anne styled home at 5342 East Washington Street. This large late-nineteenth-century house had been a private residence for years and made a perfect home for numerous Butler University students. It would later be demolished to make way for a funeral home in the mid-20th century. These exterior and interior photos reveal much about life in the house in the 1920s and you can also see the Victorian fireplaces, woodwork, and staircase still remaining at that time. I especially like the dining scene. You may learn more about this house by clicking the "Newlin Family" link below. These historic images are courtesy of Amy Friedly.

326 South Audubon Road in 1949 and 2011

Michael Hunt builds a snowman in front of his house (341 South Audubon Road) in 1949 after a snowstorm hit Irvington. Behind him sits 326 South Audubon Road, a large late-nineteenth-century home. The earliest known residents as of this writing were the Gray family who lived here from 1899 to 1914. In 1914, the Indianapolis Star advertised that it was for rent for $35 a month. For that hefty sum, you received an eight room home with a barn on a large lot. It appears that the Remington family leased the house at the time. Some of the other folks who called this dwelling home over the decades include the Isaacs, Keywans, Cassadys, Beagleys, Keiths, Weins, Schafers, Sigmonds, Sloans, and Coulters. The historic photo shows the porch as it was in the early twentieth century. The later Queen Anne styled porch was added in the late twentieth century. You will also note that the lot to the south of the home remained vacant in 1949. More research is needed on this very old and interesting house. This image is courtesy of Helen Hunt.

Christmas in Irvington--1940

While Europe and Asia descended into war and violence, the US peacefully celebrated the holiday season in 1940. Although some Hoosier families had yet to recover from the Great Depression, others like the Hartsock family of 59 North Hawthorne Lane, seemed to be doing just fine. Mr. Hartsock practiced law and moved his family into his Gustav Stickley-designed home in the late 1920s. The Hartsocks were not the first to live in the house. A furniture salesman, Carlos Recker and his family, first moved into the house in 1908. This vivid photograph shows the Hartsock family Christmas tree. Notice the beautifully wrapped presents and ice cycle laden tree. You may learn more about this historic home by clicking on the Gustav Stickley or Hartsock family link below. This image is courtesy of Brian and Emily Mack.

Happy Holidays to the readers and followers of Vintage Irvington!

After a Snowstorm in Irvington--1950

Two neighborhood children enjoy a day in the snow in the winter of 1950. Behind the young boys you can see 352 South Audubon Road. Eugene W. and Lois M. Ross dwelled in the house at that time. They were likely the second owners of the home as Raymond H. and Louise H. Matthius were the first to live in the home. They moved in the place in 1926 and stayed until the 1940s. The 1930 census reveals that the Matthius's had one son named Don, who was eleven at that time. Mrs. Matthius's thirty-year-old sister, Leona Rau, a bookkeeper, also lived with them.

Behind the Matthius home, you can get a glimpse of 5637 and 5635 Beechwood Avenue. Tracy R. and Nancy Elliott lived in the newer brick home at 5637 in 1950. The Elliotts built the house in 1940 and remained in it for decades. Next door, Floyd R. and Eva N. Taylor dwelled in the bungalow at 5635 Beechwood. Other families who occupied that small bungalow prior to the Taylors include Leonard Welsh, a printer and Frank Echolds, the Principal of Christian Park Elementary, and his wife Ferne. The historic image is courtesy of Helen Hunt.

The contemporary shots were taken in the summer and late autumn of 2011.

Winter in Irvington--1953 and 1978

Helen and Leroy Hunt dwelled at 341 South Audubon with their children Michael and Janet. Two of these photos show the family Christmas tree in 1953 and Mrs. Hunt working on a jigsaw puzzle. Mr. Hunt worked in a pharmacy and Mrs. Hunt stayed at home and raised the children. The bottom photo shows the Hunt bungalow as well as the two to the south of house after the Blizzard of 1978. These wonderful images are courtesy of Helen Hunt.

215 South Butler Avenue Then and Now

With its ideal location across from the Butler University campus, the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority moved into this new dwelling at 215 South Butler Avenue in 1923. It is not known at this time whether the house was built for the organization or on speculation, but the young women lived in the house until Butler moved out of Irvington in 1928. Clarence C. and Hester Finch lived in the home for a year until 1930 when Henry Schwimmer, an electrician, and his wife Rose moved in and stayed until 1933.

Beginning in 1934, Clifford E. Wagoner, an insurance agent, and his wife Jean Brown Wagoner moved in and remained in the home until the 1980s. Mrs. Wagoner received national attention as a children's book biographer. She also became a beloved figure in the neighborhood reminding children that it was "going to be a good day!" (Interview with Sherri Wood Emmons, a former resident of 234 South Butler) You may learn more about her by clicking on the Wagoner Family link below.

The historic photos show the home shortly after it was completed in 1923. Members of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority pose both inside and outside of their home. Note the beautiful woodwork, wall sconces, and interesting staircase. The historic images are courtesy of Amy Friedly. The contemporary image was shot in the autumn of 2011.