Deze serie duikt in de rijke en gevarieerde geschiedenis van de Amerikaanse staat Indiana. Door honderden zorgvuldig samengestelde vintage foto's en boeiende bijschriften onthult het de evolutie van zijn steden, platteland en iconische bezienswaardigheden. Elk deel is een reis door de tijd, die de unieke geest en het erfgoed van de Hoosier State viert. Het is een visueel eerbetoon aan de mensen, plaatsen en gebeurtenissen die deze regio hebben gevormd.
As they settled in Gary, immigrant groups established communities, built churches and schools, and clung to their cultural traditions. Glen Park included Poles, Slovaks, Serbs, Russians, and Italians. Through archival photographs, family snapshots provided by former residents, and shared memories, the reader is taken on a nostalgic journey from the city's founding in 1906 through to the 21st century.
The book showcases nearly 200 vintage black and white photographs of Indiana's covered bridges, highlighting the state's rich architectural heritage from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Captured by pioneering photographers, these images document the structures that once flourished across more than 36 counties. The collection reflects a historical movement in the 1930s and 1940s aimed at preserving these iconic bridges, many of which faced the threat of abandonment and decay.
Set in the late 1790s, the narrative explores the aspirations of the first settlers in Lanesville, who sought a better life in a burgeoning America. Established as a town in 1817, Lanesville thrived as residents utilized local resources to build businesses. Concurrently, Franklin Township emerged as a premier farming community, with families taking pride in their homesteads. The story highlights the community's dedication to education, religion, and prosperity, showcasing a legacy of resilience and growth that continues to influence generations.
The book explores Irvington's rich history, founded in 1870, as a vibrant community that reflects the charm of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It highlights the area's architectural diversity and notable residents, emphasizing its role as the original home of Butler University and a cultural hub in Indianapolis. Today, Irvington remains a thriving neighborhood with locally owned shops and a community dedicated to preserving its heritage while embracing future growth.
The book chronicles the significant role of Howard County law enforcement since the 1880s, highlighting their involvement in various community events, from crime prevention to disaster response. It explores the evolution of policing through the lens of a new generation of war veterans in the mid-1940s, who brought leadership and a commitment to compassion and integrity. This narrative illustrates the unwavering dedication of officers to community safety and their enduring legacy in Howard County's history.
Early pioneers established Huntington in the 1830s at the site where Miami Indians and French trappers exchanged goods. Because of its location near the Historic Forks of the Wabash, Huntington served as an important transportation hub in the Old Northwest. The Wabash & Erie Canal introduced a wide variety of craftsmen and their families to the area until railroads eventually made canal travel obsolete. After the canal boom and bust, railroads and farming dominated Huntington s economy, but textiles, light manufacturing, and limestone quarries populated the landscape; limestone from Indiana was used to build the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Some residents went on to achieve national fame, including Congressman Ed Roush, the architect of the 911 emergency response system, and Vice Pres. Dan Quayle. The town is also home to Huntington University, a perennial selection as one of the Midwest s best private colleges."
The county seat of Fulton County, Rochester is a small rural town in north-central Indiana. Its history includes many famous people. Despite the mistaken trivia game answer, Elmo Lincoln, the first Tarzan in 1918, was born in Rochester, Indiana, not New York. And John Chamberlain, famous modern sculptor, was born here too. Clyde Beatty, wild animal trainer extraordinaire, lived here while the Cole Brothers-Clyde Beatty Circus had its winter quarters in Rochester in the 1930s. For a community with such a small population, Rochester has harbored more than its share of famous people.
Set against the backdrop of 1949 Indianapolis, the book explores the early days of television as the first local station prepares for its debut with live coverage of the Indianapolis 500. It highlights the experimental spirit of the era, where local personalities like David Letterman and Jane Pauley captivated audiences with their unique styles. From humorous weather reports to quirky newscasts featuring pets, the narrative delves into how these pioneers shaped early television, capturing the charm and spontaneity of a nascent medium.
In 1835, William Harris sectioned off his land—the area now known as Main and Green Streets in Brownsburg—for the purpose of establishing a town. Harris used beech trees, elm trees, and hickory stumps to define the town’s boundaries; he called it Harrisburg. The name Harrisburg was already in use elsewhere in Indiana, so Brownsburg, which paid homage to early settler James B. Brown, was selected as an alternative. Brownsburg’s railroad station, located between Indianapolis and Crawfordsville, positioned the farming community for dramatic growth. As new settlers arrived, new businesses, mills, and factories also began to open. Today, Brownsburg continues to grow, and the community is known for its engineering and racing industries and its first-rate schools.
Set near the south bank of the Maumee River, New Haven is on the route from the Great Lakes to the Central Plains. The river itself carried the first travelers upstream to the short portage to the Mississippi watershed and the West. In the early 1800s, the Wabash and Erie Canal was started to provide a more reliable and even passage. Many came to work on it and settled, hacking out farmsteads from the dense, swampy forest. A canal lock nearby made a natural stopping and shipping point. In 1856, the Wabash Railroad superseded the canal with rapid all-weather transport and commerce flourished. The old canal towpath became a road, intersecting in the middle of the community with the Lincoln Highway, bringing in the automobile era. The local commuter age was born in the early 1900s with the interurban railroad from Lima, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, providing hourly, fast service for jobs and shopping. This small, tree-lined city still shows clear marks of the ages and stages of transportation history that have given it life and form. Now greenway trails trace the old Indian paths along the river.
The narrative follows the journey of Frank P. Thomas Jr., Donald J. Thomas, and Robert E. Wildman, who transitioned from manufacturing restaurant equipment to launching Burger Chef in 1958. Initially intended to boost equipment sales, the fast-food venture unexpectedly flourished, becoming the second-largest hamburger chain in the U.S. by 1982. The chain became known for its flame-broiled hamburgers and iconic advertising characters, Burger Chef and Jef, leaving a lasting impact on the fast-food landscape.
The Polish Community of Gary is a vibrantly illustrated tale of the history of the Midwest's Steel City and its Polish-Catholic residents. It reveals the journey of hopeful and hard-working Polish immigrants who arrived in the early 1900s, established an ethnic community, and adapted to the American way of life. This fascinating photographic compilation of almost 200 images features various past and present residents of Gary. It examines the city's diverse ethnic groups and religious denominations, offering a glimpse of a life very different from that of today. Along with detailed captions, The Polish Community of Gary offers the rare chance to experience the history of Polish Gary, bringing its exciting past alive again. Author John Trafny traces the story of past trials, tribulations, and triumphs with skill, compassion, and an insider's eye.
Ogden Dunes, incorporated in 1925, is the largest and most residential of the three Porter County lake-front communities established in the 1920s. Although it began as a highly restricted resort community with the largest man-made ski jump in North America, it became a middle-class residential community after 1945. Because of its proximity to Gary and Chicago, Ogden Dunes was also a battleground between the forces that wished to conserve the dunes and those that pushed for industrializing them. Alice Gray, Diana of the Dunes; Dorothy Buell, who led the fight to create a national park; and Dale Messick, the creator of comic strip Brenda Starr: Girl Reporter were important members of the community. Over the years, Ogden Dunes has provided a creative and supportive environment for children and adults, especially those with artistic talents and interests.
Racing crowds and excitement describe the Racing Capital of the World. Speedway, Indiana is home to the Indianapolis 500, Nascar's Brickyard 400, and Formula One's U.S. Gran Prix. But Speedway is more than a town that surrounds the most famous automobile racing track in the world. The city is proud of its quality schools, and residents have prospered from the businesses in the area. Civic pride runs strong through this community where generations of families have remained in the same neighborhoods, and sometimes in the same house.
Nestled in northeastern Indiana's Kosciusko County, Syracuse and its two lakes, Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake, became a popular area both for industry and tourism following the completion of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1874. What had been a quiet fisherman's paradise developed quickly, as hotels, restaurants, and merchants sprang up to meet the growing demand of residents and visitors. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Col. Eli Lilly helped establish the first sailing club on Lake Wawasee, and Chicago-based mobsters in Al Capone's crime syndicate ran gambling operations. Upscale hotels attracted the wealthy and influential, while ambitious locals made Syracuse a competitive industrial presence in the state, nurtured innovative boat builders, and supported a strong foundation of schools and churches. A vibrant community of artists, watermen, entrepreneurs, educators, and spiritual leaders left a legacy well worth preserving.
From being known as The Heathen Town Four Miles Away to becoming a booming factory town, discover Anderson, Indiana through the centuries. The city of Anderson is named after Chief William Anderson, whose Indian name was Kikthawenund, meaning making a noise or causing to crack. Early settlers referred to the area as Anderson Town, while the Moravian missionaries called it The Heathen Town Four Miles Away. It later became Anderstown before the Indiana State Legislature shortened the name to Anderson in 1844. In the spring of 1887, natural gas was discovered in the city. Several industries came to the area, leading to a population explosion. Anderson soon became a factory town, with General Motors building plants throughout the city. The success of the automobile factories attracted entrepreneurs and made Anderson the economic center of Madison County. From the 1940s through the 1970s, downtown Anderson had its share of family-owned businesses as well as national chain stores like J.C. Penney, Sears & Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward. Today, it remains filled with a rich heritage and continues to grow in a new economic market.