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Dirkes Family Ownership and Residency (1930s-1958) Research indicates that by deeds recorded in 1935 and 1938, Robert Dirkes Sr. acquired the property at 721 Mead. It is believed that he obtained part from Charles Wardle and part from Aimable Helart. It is not certain on which parcel the house was located, but the 1940 census states that the family was living in the same house as where it had been residing in 1935. A 1917 record indicates Robert Dirkes, Sr.'s first presence in Louisville. According to a 1921 Louisville directory, he and his family were living in the Kimberly Addition, but it was not possible to determine whether they were living in this house or a different one. Robert Dirkes, Sr. (1898-1968) was born in Iowa to parents from Germany and Scotland. In 1919, he married Charlotte Hernu (1901-1978). It is believed that they met in Louisville. She was born in Illinois to parents from France and Belgium. Robert Dirkes became a coal mine superintendent in the Louisville area. The 1940 census shows the Dirkes family living in this house. The household was made up of Robert, Charlotte, and their seven children: Agnes (born 1920), Robert (b. 1921), William (b. 1925), June (b. 1930), Ernest (b. 1932), Thomas (b. 1934), and Charles (b. 1938). A number of members of the extended Dirkes family ended up living very near 721 Mead. Robert Dirkes, Jr. and William Dirkes both served in World War II, Robert in the Army Air Corps and William in the Navy. Robert Dirkes, Jr. and his parents appeared in a short scene on the Louisville Historical Museum's World War II film showing local servicemen while they were home on leave. The film is entitled "Our Boys and Girls in the Armed Forces, 1943-44." The following screen capture from the film shows Robert Dirkes, Jr. in the middle with his parents, Robert Dirkes, Sr. and Charlotte Dirkes, by 721 Mead in scene # 98. 3