• Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Adverts: Dr. David Tavel, Optometrist

    In 1940, after returning from service in WWII as a Captain in the US Air Force, Dr. David Tavel opened an optometry office in the Claypool Hotel Building, which was then located at the corner...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Ad: Barney’s Jewelers, Lincoln Hotel

    If you missed Libby’s fascinating article of yesterday, take a look at the map that shows the jewelry store out in front of the Lincoln Hotel, at the point where Washington, Kentucky and Illinois Streets...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Ads: Landscape Architect

    One of the wonderful surprises of old city directories is finding adverts in the margins and below the regular listings. This one from 1940 advertises Indianapolis Landscape architect, Alembert W. Brayton, Jr. Not being from...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Adverts: Cafes of Mass Ave

    Who doesn’t miss this once prolific form of advertising? It seems at one time the Around the Corner Grille was in the same block where Black Market ad Indy Reads Books are today. One wonders...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Ads: Look for your name game

    Would have loved to visit “Benedict’s” on Monument Circle in the early 1900’s for a Neopolitan Ice Cream–probably owned by some 10th cousin 4 times removed I firmly believe that if people don’t see how...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Advert: Do You Ride One?

    If you think “history repeats itself,” is just a hackneyed phrase, think again. Indy’s ‘star’ is on the rise when it comes to the bicycling community, and why not? Over 100 years ago, we may...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Adverts: Architects in 1914 Indianapolis

    Last night’s fundraiser for Indiana Landmarks included (among many fabulous features) the announcement of this year’s 10 Most Endangered List.  Thinking of all the beautiful structures in need of saving and preservation or those that...

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  • Posted in: Sunday Ads Sunday Adverts: Frank H. Smith Printing

    Hadn’t heard of this one before, but a cursory search shows this company was active in the 1880’s and 1890’s at least. Was he put out of business by Bobbs-Merrill? Did he move on elsewhere?...

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