Front cover of
Irvington in 1910: A Year in the Life of an Indianapolis Neighborhood
by William F. Gulde
Mr. Gulde signing his book
at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center
What started out as a substantial historical research project by William F. Gulde for the Irvington Historical Society to, “extract the names of Irvington residents from a 1910 city directory to help with a database that the Society was creating,” evolved into him writing a fascinating book about Irvington: Irvington in 1910: A Year in the Life of an Indianapolis Neighborhood.
In the preface of his book, Mr. Gulde stated that he, “hoped to create a snapshot of this unusual neighborhood.” His snapshot of Irvington in 1910 is a chronological month-by-month journey through the year; it details ordinary day-to-day life in the neighborhood.
The journey through this year in the Progressive Era includes information about life at Butler University, births, weddings, funerals, clubs and organizations, crime, politics, weather, housing, notable residents, world events (for an historical perspective), taxation issues, women’s suffrage, African-American residents, among others. It should be pointed out that this was a time of generation change, as information about deaths of Civil War veterans and their funerals was also included. Lastly, the book includes period photographs of Irvington.
A few of the many interesting things that one learns about in the book are:
The beginnings of Ellenberger Park and Indianapolis’ system of boulevards (and whom Kessler Boulevard is named for --- and why);.
The opening of the Sarah A. Davis Deterding Missionary Training School;
The development of the Emerson Heights neighborhood;
The beginnings of Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church;
That new homes were still being constructed in Irvington;
The blatant, systematic racial segregation and discrimination present at that time (ironically in a community founded by avowed abolitionists);
A visit by famous American author, Jack London.
One resident mentioned at least twelve times is that of printer, Edward Hecker. From the tantalizing bits of information provided by Mr. Gulde, it appears that Mr. Hecker seemed to move in the different levels of Irvington society; he also seemed to be actively, and good-naturedly, involved in all manner of Irvington affairs. Mr. Gulde provides just enough information about Edward Hecker that one wonders if perhaps he could be the subject of a separate book himself?
Kudos to Mr. Gulde for providing a bibliography that is organized by sources, by people mentioned, and by street addresses mentioned.
For those intimidated by books on history, please note that Mr. Gulde’s book is an easy read. If you are an Irvington resident or merely interested in history, I highly recommend this book, if for no other reason than that it helps explain why Irvington was and remains a unique neighborhood.
My hope is that Mr. Gulde’s book is the first in a series. I’m waiting for his book on 1911.
Editor's Note: At last check, Irvington in 1910: A Year in the Life of an Indianapolis Neighborhood, was available for purchase at both Bookmamas and in the gift shop at the Irvington Historical Society.