TERRE HAUTE —
2002
• Downtown Terre Haute was alive, but dampened by rainfall, with the 25th annual Strassenfest, sponsored by the German Oberlandler Club at Fourth and Cherry streets, and Arts Illiana’s fifth annual Artsfest at the Crossroads.
• Sue Heck, president, announced the closing of Associated Door & Plywood after Andersen Windows stopped sales to independent distributors and began handling its own distribution. Pease Overton had become Associated Door & Plywood in 1949.
• The Greater Terre Haute Branch of the NAACP sponsored its Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. Oscar Session was the event chair.
• Bob Mardis, retired Franklin Elementary School principal and activist in state and national juvenile justice organizations, received the A. L. Carlisle Child Advocacy Award from the Coalition for Juvenile Justice at Washington D.C.
• Normal Hall, opened in 1910 as the Indiana State Normal School Library, was placed on the State Register of Historic Places. The building had been used for a number of purposes after the opening of Cunningham Memorial Library in 1973.
1987
• Jack Newman, Bemis Co. vice president of marketing, received the Marketer of the Year Award from the Wabash Valley Marketing Association. He accepted the award for his team which included Neal Ganly, Ralph Cutter, Dick Uhey and Denny Lambert.
• Dr. Levon Garrison, Indiana State University bowling coach, and her women’s team were in Omaha, Neb. — their eighth straight trip to the nationals. The team had not placed lower than fifth in seven years, had won the national championship in 1984 and were runners-up in 1983 and 1985.
• Hoosier Electronics had moved to 222 S. Seventh St., the former John S. Cox building just north of McDonald’s.
• The Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission agreed to purchase the former Woolworth building from Terre Haute First National Bank to make way for the new $2.5 million parking garage.
• Tours began at the Designer Show House, 1124 S. Center St., the residence of the James Bopp Jr. family. The Service League of Union Hospital sponsored the project to raise funds for the Ambulatory Care Unit.
1962
• Birch Bayh, top contender for the Democratic Senatorial nomination, commented that the Republican Party of Sen. Homer Capehart “hasn’t heard of or doesn’t believe that neither General Motors nor U.S. Steel is running the country.” He was referring to the statement, “What’s good for General Motors is good for the country.”
• Barnett Pest Control, 1019 S. Eighth St., celebrated 15 years of service to the community. Owner William K. “Bill” Barnett had established the business in 1947, a few months after he was discharged from the U.S. Army.
• Myrtle DeBaun of Prairie Creek was chair of the 19th annual convention of the Mothers of World War II in Indianapolis. Fannie Sessions of Terre Haute was the state treasurer.
• The Woman’s Department Club Garden Walk featured the homes and gardens of Mmes. Leonard Kincade, Joel Warren, Frank Wiedemann, Frank Burget, C. Huston Isaacs, Warren Culver and Herbert Mace.
• Joe Walker, president of Walker Electric Supply Co., succeeded Robert S. Ratcliffe as president of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.
History
LOOKING BACK: 1987: ISU bowling team at nationals again
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
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: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
His name was Stephen Venard. For more than 50 years he resided in Terre Haute, without fanfare, with his wife and a daughter. Much of that time was spent in the 400 block on N. First St.
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
This week continues with the Gold Star Honor Roll (those who died in WW I) from the Wabash Valley. The Vigo County list is long and will be run in three parts.
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
In the River portion of the latest exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society museum are two models of river paddle boats created by Alfred F. Nehf.
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
Electric transportation is not a new technology. With the arrival of the electric car we are reminded that electric technology has a long history in Terre Haute.
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads




