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Irvington's Architectural Diversity
By Paul Diebold

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MODERNISM

Though not known for its vast collection of Modern architecture, Irvington does have representative housing and commercial architecture from the immediate post-war period.  There were still a few lots available for construction, and the area still drew interest from new businesses.

Ranch House on Pleasant Run Parkway

Pleasant Run Parkway was still a very desirable address after World War II.  This ranch house dates to about 1952.  Its unknown architect used rich materials; Indiana limestone for the walls, and terra-cotta tile for the roof.  The design is typical for larger Ranch style housing in Indianapolis, a low roof line and rambling floor plan, and large banks of windows.  John C. and Lillian Siegesmund were the first residents; John was the Vice-President at Eli Lilly & Company, major pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Lustron House on East 11th Street

Lustron Corporation hoped to solve the housing crisis facing returning GI's in the 1950s.  The company received massive Federal assistance to establish a plant that would prefabricate houses from steel.  The exteriors were sheathed in vitreous enameled steel panels, even the roof tiles were steel.  Designers used a streamlined version of the Ranch house as the overall concept.  Interiors had vertical paneled steel walls with built-in furniture to save space.  Lustron Corporation stayed in business for about five years; the idea never completely caught on despite brilliant planning and sound design ideas.  Irvington has several of these prefabricated wonders.

Steer-In Restaurant, 5130 East 10th Street

Mid-Century Modern architecture makes a rare appearance in the Irvington area at the Steer-In. Starting in the early 1950s, Northway Restaurant was operating on this site.  In the late 1950s, Laughner’s Cafeteria decided to buy the Northway and rebuild it into a drive-in restaurant.  The Laughners or their architect were probably inspired by the 1950s California diners, known for their flamboyant Modernism.  The building assumed its present form at about that time.  Long time owner Harold Phillips bought out the Laughner family interest and renamed it Harold’s Steer-In.  Currently, you can enjoy classic diner cuisine and architecture here, under the name Steer-In.

Typical Mid-Century Modern design elements include the lack of ornament, angled roof line and banks of plate glass windows.  The interior retains much of its 1950s/1960s feeling.

Round Building, 110 South Downey Avenue

This building served as offices for the Disciples of Christ, Board of Church Extension.  Here, the church group helped congregations plan and build new sanctuaries.  Fittingly, two staff architects of the Board of Church Extension, Charles Betts and Rollin Mosher, planned the building in 1958.  The building's plan consists of two concentric circles, joined by radiating hallway-spokes.  Mosher and Betts decided that a circular form for the building would fit Irvington's curving streets.