TERRE HAUTE —
2002
• Crawford Elementary School, located at 701 S. Fifth St. and in use since 1961, closed not just for the summer but forever.
• Kristen Clary, Terre Haute South Vigo, and Eric Graves, Terre Haaute North Vigo, were the winners of the prestigious high school McMillan Awards.
• The seventh Greater Terre Haute Open began at the Terre Haute Bowling Center with members of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association competing. Rick Braden was the general manager of the center.
• The Sumar Classic returned to the Terre Haute Action Track with a hovercraft used as the “pace craft.” Don Smith, one of the founders of the Sumar racing team in the 1950s, said it was the first time in the history of auto racing that a non-wheeled vehicle had been used as a pace car.
• The Fuson building at 18-20 S. Ninth St. and vacant for five years, was to be renovated by Thompson Thrift developers. Thompson Thrift and MMS-A/E were to occupy the top two floors.
1987
• The month of June marked the speed limit increase to 65 mph on rural Indiana interstate highways. The speed limit remained at 55 mph near cities.
• After interviewing 560 people, Evergreen International Aviation Inc. hired 180 for its new mail-distribution system at Hulman Regional Airport.
• A balloon-lift and torch lighting opened the seventh Senior Games for Hoosiers, aged 55 and over, at Terre Haute South Vigo High School.
• Frank Sharp (West Vigo) and Pamela Owens (Terre Haute South Vigo) won the McMillan Awards as the best Vigo County high school athletes. This was the second year separate trophies had been given to a male and a female. Previously only one award was given to the outstanding male athlete.
• The Terre Haute North Patriots won their fifth straight high school boys golf sectional title, and the Terre Haute South Vigo Braves won their third straight high school sectional baseball title.
• The 50th American Legion Hoosier Boys State opened with 1,000 high school seniors and 60 volunteer staff members on the Indiana State University campus.
1962
• Graduating high school seniors in the classes of 1962 included Garfield, 224; Gerstmeyer, 267; Honey Creek, 96; ISC Laboratory, 51; Schulte, 103; West Vigo, 122; and Wiley, 235. Gilbert “Gib” Bosworth, Wiley High School graduate, was awarded the McMillan Award as the outstanding Vigo County school athlete.
• More than 100 children participated in the YWCA Dance Revue at the Garfield High School Auditorium. Roseann Callahan was the instructor.
• Dr. Walter O. Shriner, chairman of the Indiana State College Mathematics Department, was honored at a dinner at the Woodridge Restaurant. He was retiring after 45 years of teaching in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
• Seventy-four seniors at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College were graduated. The day also marked the groundbreaking for the college’s $1.5 million library.
• Charles Crispin, local CE&I Railroad freight sales manager, announced his railroad was instituting “piggyback” service. Truck trailers would be loaded on flatcars at the Baker Yards.
• The 107-year-old locomotive, The General, was on public display also at the Baker Yards. This small, shiny black engine had made history during the Civil War.
History
LOOKING BACK: 1962: More than 100 kids take part in Dance Revue
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
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: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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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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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties




