This home was built in an area of New Albany that was once known as Silver Grove. Originally an independent town, Silver Grove was annexed into New Albany in 1915. Woodrow Avenue was initially named East Ekin Avenue, but changed to Woodrow Avenue at the same time as the annexation.

Builder and developer Michael Burger purchased lots 39 thru 50 (west side of the 500 block of Woodrow Avenue) in the William Receveur’s Morning Side Addition, plat #524. He then replatted it as Plat 558 in August 1927. It is highly likely that Burger built and sold all of the homes in this new plat.

This house could have been built as early as 1928 and sold to Lawrence Gray for investment purposes. Joseph E. Schmitt, a plasterer by trade, rented the home from 1929 thru 1930.

The structure changed owners several times before Morris and Margaret McManus purchased the home in January 1939, but was already renting it as early as 1932. Morris “Speedy” McManus was a clerk for the New Albany company, River Coal and Supply, located on the northeast corner of Pearl and Water streets in downtown New Albany. By 1947, the McManus family had moved from their Woodrow Avenue home and the Thomas K. Lilly family were the next occupants of the house.

The property’s judgment number is 22D01-2103-MF-000311. With this number you can visit the Clerk’s Office in the City-County building and enter it into their computers to find the judgment owed on the property. This is public record.