Lockerbie Square is the oldest surviving residential district in Indianapolis, and it’s wonderfully restored and preserved. I found myself there on a Downtown stroll with my Pentax ES II and a 55/1.8 SMC Takumar, Kodak Ektar 100 aboard.

Homes in Lockerbie

What a perfect time to photograph Lockerbie’s homes: the trees had just started to leaf, lending color and interest to my photos, but weren’t so full that they blocked the homes.

Little house in Lockerbie

It was also midevening. The sun’s warm light cast interesting shadows everywhere.

Lockerbie House

I occasionally encountered people on the street, residents I’m sure. None of them gave me and my camera a second glance. Perhaps Lockerbie is a frequent photo destination?

Street in Lockerbie

Even when you have no camera in your hands, Lockerbie is a charming evening stroll.

Lockerbie House

Lockerbie Square was built by immigrants, and most of its homes were constructed before 1910. By World War II, the neighborhood was in decline; many of these homes had become boardinghouses and apartments.

Door in Lockerbie

But from about the 1960s the neighborhood began to be restored. Some of these homes were in deplorable condition, but today every last one is well loved and well cared for.

The Riley home

On the only surviving cobblestone street in Indianapolis stands the former home of Lockerbie’s most famous resident, James Whitcomb Riley. In his day, he was an enormously famous Hoosier. The home is open for tours. I’ve done it twice, it’s so good. The house is very nearly as it was in Riley’s day, with most of the furniture being what Riley and the family with which he lived all used. This is as close to a time capsule house as you’ll ever find.

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Comments

13 responses to “Strolling through Lockerbie Square on Kodak Ektar 100”

  1. dmzhodges Avatar

    I have a fascination with photographing houses too. As of late the only “thing” I take pictures of is my granddaughter and I use my phone or tablet. You’ve inspired me to get a good camera again and restart my photography interest. I got my first camera when I was in 5th grade……hey maybe that’ll be a blog…..

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      I got my first camera when I was 8 or 9. Somewhere on this blog is a post with scans from my first roll of film!

      1. dmzhodges Avatar

        Have you joined in blog groups? Which ones are good? I’m not trying to make $$$$. Just hobby.

        1. Jim Grey Avatar

          I don’t even know what a blog group is!

  2. Bernie Kasper Avatar

    These are all beautiful Jim !!

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Appreciate it Bernie!

  3. Wes C Avatar
    Wes C

    Most use the word “photogenic” to describe a person appearing attractive in a photograph. But, this is a photogenic neighborhood. You captured it nicely. What film were you shooting? Beautiful colors!

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Wes, thanks! I shot Ektar 100, which just might be the ultimate color negative film.

  4. dehk Avatar

    I really think you should stick with that camera.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      I can’t stick to just one! But I can see myself shooting this camera again.

      1. dehk Avatar

        Easily best looking analog photos from you that I saw.

  5. […] of the Asahi Optical Co. Pentax ES II by Jim Grey and Stephen Dowling and seeing some of the photography Jim captured with his camera, I became fixated with the idea of owning my own. I perused eBay, KEH and the Pentax forums but […]

  6. […] of the Asahi Optical Co. Pentax ES II by Jim Grey and Stephen Dowling and seeing some of the photographs Jim captured with his camera, I became fixated with the idea of owning my own. I perused eBay, KEH and the Pentax forums but […]

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