Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
2002
• Christian Duane Carty was the first baby to be born in 2002 in Vigo County. Born at Union Hospital, he was the son of Daniel and Starla Carty of Clinton.
• The Terre Haute South Vigo High School competition cheerleading squad placed second in the small varsity division at the National Cheerleading Association National Championship at Dallas, Texas.
• Members of the Terre Haute Fire Department presented a check for $60,620 to an official of the International Union for the New York Fire Fighters 9/11 Relief Fund. Don Seprodi, former president of Local 758, reported most of the money had been raised by “passing the boot” on Terre Haute street corners.
• For the first time in its history, Terre Haute hosted the Olympic Torch Relay which began in Atlanta and would end in Salt Lake City. Indiana State University professor Don Rogers, ISU sophomore Beth Browning and West Vigo High School freshman Sarah Jones represented the city in the relay. Boo Lloyd of Terre Haute was one of the support runners in downtown Indianapolis.
1987
• Trey Michael David Skelly, the son of David and Denise Skelly born at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, was the Wabash Valley’s first child of 1987.
• The month of May, 1987, was targeted for the opening of the Children’s Science & Technology Museum in the basement of Central Christian Church at North Seventh Street and Larry Bird Avenue. Jerry Mansfield was the board president.
• A photography exhibit by Rhonda Yochum was featured in the new Arts Illiana gallery, 23 N. Sixth St. Glenn Cockerham was the director.
• Speaking at the Terre Haute Rotary Club, Mayor P. Pete Chalos predicted a new business at Hulman Regional Airport and a new exit from Interstate 70 as possibilities for the future.
• The Vigo County commissioners gave Cable Brazil permission to extend services into all Vigo County townships except Harrison.
• Doris Hackl sold Gran-Ma Joy’s, 3631 Wabash Ave., to Don Thompson, owner of Thompson’s Family Dining, Damon’s, Jonathan’s and the Water Wheel. Hackl, in business for 25 years, had previously operated Joy’s restaurant in West Terre Haute.
1962
• The Elks Lodge New Year’s Eve party was staged on Saturday, Dec. 30, instead of New Year’s Eve which fell on a Sunday, at the City Club. Frank Williams chaired the event. Music was provided by Mark Richardson’s orchestra and Nancee South.
• Vigo County’s first baby of the year was Carol Lynette Oxford, born to Mr. and Mrs. James Oxford of Terre Haute, at Union Hospital.
• Central TV & Appliance, 701 N Ninth St., invited the public to view the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Sugar and Rose bowl games in “exciting color TV” at the store.
• The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Traffic Committee, headed by James Palmer, recommended one-way south traffic on Sixth Street and one-way north traffic on Seventh Street between Hulman Street and Lafayette Avenue to aid the flow of downtown traffic at a minimum of expense.
• Mayor Ralph Tucker named Marsee A. Cox, Mrs. Thomas Hogan and Dr. Wayne Crockett to make up the board of managers for the proposed Terre Haute Youth Symphony.
History
LOOKING BACK: Carty, Skelly, Oxford celebrate with first baby of the year in 1962, 1987, 2002
- History
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSON: Emperor Constantine changes the world
The Emperor Constantine, the first Christian ruler of the Roman Empire and the man who ended that empire’s persecution of Christianity, died this week (May 22) in 337 AD, having lived a life that would change the world.
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GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
Inside the archives room of the Vigo County Public Library, row after row of fragile documents, rare out-of-print books, and historic photographs are kept on shelves in a humidity and temperature-controlled room.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Historic efforts to open Center Street from Cherry to Swan
Efforts to open Center Street, from Cherry to Swan, spanned a half century or more.
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LOOKING BACK: 2002 — Valley drenched in wettest spring in 107 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star. -
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Some history wreathed in hair
From the unfortunate occurrence of Prince Albert’s death in 1861 came the social mores of proper mourning practices and accoutrements witnessed and endorsed by the admirers of Queen Victoria in her reign-long state of grieving.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: League of Women Voters reorganizes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Here comes the bride
The newest major exhibit at the Historical Museum, which opens Tuesday, showcases wedding gowns worn by Vigo County residents.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Downtown changes featured in early 1927
During March and April of 1927 – about 85 years ago – the owners of interests in four major downtown Terre Haute theaters were negotiating to transfer their interests to representatives of Paramount Studios.
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GENEALOGY: Genealogy isn’t for the easily embarrassed
The saying goes, if you’re easily embarrassed or afraid of what you’ll find, don’t start doing genealogy.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The long, lost, last — the 27th —Amendment
Our very last constitutional amendment — the 27th Amendment — was ratified this week (May 7) in 1992 when Michigan became the 38th state to approve it.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Haymarket Square Massacre
One unhappy byproduct of the Industrial Age was the growing discontent of its industrial workers, who constantly agitated for better pay and more humane working conditions.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Stands packed as Wiley takes county track title
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and the Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Death of Terre Haute jeweler gains national headlines
Terre Haute sought national publicity in 1910 through “Boosterism,” lauding the city’s significant advancements during the decade ending Dec. 31, 1909.
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GENEALOGY: Cemetery Committee to conduct restoration workshop
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society’s Cemetery Committee will conduct an all-day cemetery restoration workshop on Saturday at the Smith Cemetery near Youngstown, Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Ind.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Harmonious history
In 1923, a group of singers calling themselves the Harmony Four entertained regularly over the radio and at civic and various club events.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: Cleveland observes Lincoln’s funeral
The death of America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, resulted in an outpouring of national mourning, the apex of which came in late April of 1865 when a specially outfitted train carried his body on a thirteen-day, 1,700-mile, eleven-city funeral procession from Washington, D.C., to his home and final resting place in Springfield, Ill.
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GENEALOGY: Many people can trace ancestry to Titanic
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred on April 14-15, 1912.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: ISU bowling team at nationals again
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Sullivan County mine explosion kills 8 in 1878
Shortly after 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 1878, an enormous explosion rocked the Handford Brothers mine about one-half mile north of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad depot in Sullivan County.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: A common feature, but memorable
As an absolute architecture nerd, I tend to look at buildings noticing the odd ball things such as door hinges and door locks in addition to admiring the overall building.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: MLK’s letter written from a jail cell in Birmingham
This week (April 16) in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a jail cell in Birmingham, Ala., having been arrested for violating a trumped-up court order that prohibited him and his followers from conducting various protest activities, most of which you can read about in the First Amendment.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Swope celebrates 20th anniversary
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1955 Babe Ruth League championship team to be feted
Currently in his 25th year as a college baseball coach, Rick Heller is in the midst of his third winning season at Indiana State and has embraced the university and the community.
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GENEALOGY: Long-awaited 1940 census is now available for the public
The long-awaited release of the 1940 census took place on April 2.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Memories baked from scratch
On my Historical Treasure hunt, I was drawn to a pasteboard barrel 28 inches high and 18.5 inches across with the words “Calumet Baking Powder Bakes Best, Received Highest Award” on one side and “Calumet Baking Powder Always Pleases, Try It” on the other.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Thomas Jefferson's flights of fancy
Thomas Jefferson, born this week (April 13) in 1743, is — deservedly so — in the pantheon of American heroes.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: J.K. Emmet’s first appearance at the Terre Haute Opera House
The first season of the magnificent Terre Haute Opera House, which featured many of the world’s premier celebrities, was a resounding success.
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GENEALOGY: Black Death had a monumental effect on world
One event in the past had a monumental effect on our ancestors, indeed determining who they would be. This was the advent and spread of bubonic plague, the Black Death. The plague originated in China in 1333. It was caused by a bacterium in fleas, which were carried by rats. The plague spread out of China via trading routes with the West (the Silk Road) and especially on ships, which carried flea-infested rats and provided a closed environment for people to infect each other.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: 'Banana king' opens Farmer's Market
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Hunting for sugary Easter treats
Among the many varieties of the Easter egg, none is more charming than the panoramic Sugar Egg. Three were recently given to the Vigo County Historical Museum by Judy Lowe and are shown in an Easter-themed display case in the entry hall.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSON: Emperor Constantine changes the world




