Franklin Township Historical Society

Remembrances: Acton Lot Sale, 1919

2012-01-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

This promotional flyer, saved these many years by a township resident, and given to the Historical Society a while ago, is “an historical document” in several ways. It gives a picture of the times – a period of expansion after the end of the first World War, it takes advantage of the rapidly growing interest in automobiles and “motoring,” stresses the value of home ownership, and invites visitors to be entertained by “the jazziest band you ever heard.”

Whether the flyer drew a big crowd to Acton that day, Saturday, August 23, 1919, I do not know. The activities of the day are not mentioned in any history or reminiscence I have seen. The subdivision of Sunnyside does not appear on any map we have at the society although it may be mentioned in some abstracts. Of the promoters, Arthur Swails and Alfred Schloesser, Mr. Swails was a member of a large and influential family and an Acton medical doctor for many years.

“Sunnyside – the addition that made Acton famous – is located in the best residential section of Acton,” the flyer tells us. “It has improved streets, cement sidewalks, electric lights, and good sewerage system. The lots are large, affording plenty of space for garden, fruit, and poultry. Twenty-six beautiful well-kept homes are evidence of the desirability of this location.”

Acton is described as “a town of eight hundred inhabitants, the very center of a rich agricultural community. In keeping with its location as a community center Acton’s churches, school, fraternal orders, bank, and business houses are sufficient to provide for all demands, whether social or industrial. With the positive assurance from the promoters that Acton is soon to have a large packing plant, we conscientiously recommend that you buy one or more lots and start a home.”

A paragraph is given to describing the “new, modern up-to-date GARAGE and MAXWELL-CHALMERS SALES ROOM.” “We have increased our space and facilities for service by erecting a beautiful fire-proof building which will be open for your inspection…. We are making a sale on our complete line of auto accessories, tires, tubes, and oils…We will also sell medium weight motor oil at 50 and 55 cents per gallon – less than the wholesale price… BE SURE TO COME, and bring all of your friends.”

Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration 2012

2011-12-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

Join us for our annual Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration at the Meeting House (6510 S. Franklin Rd.) on Sunday, December 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be traditional caroling, storytelling and socializing. As always, refreshments including punch and homemade cookies will be provided. Bring the whole family to this delightful holiday event!

Prophetstown State Park to focus on Native American history

2011-11-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

While it's true that the FTHS generally focuses on the history of Franklin Township and the surrounding areas, as dictated in our mission statement, it's also true that much of our membership also likes to stay abreast of other developments in Indiana history, particularly when they may involve fun or educational programs in which people may want to participate.

So, for your further edification, we refer you to this article highlighting some 2012 developments in Prophetstown State Park.

Harvest Dinner 2012

2011-11-08T16:21:00.005-05:00

Forty members and friends of the Franklin Township Historical Society met for their noontime Dinner and Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 29, at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Wanamaker. The fellowship hall was artfully decorated with fall colors for the “Harvest Dinner” prepared and served by Jim, Sue and Kevin Winton.

Society Vice-President John Kanouse greeted guests, and invited all to share in a few moments of silence in memory of our late president, Diana Stevenson. After the meal, enjoyed by all, John recognized the board members, presented the 2012 Budget, and distributed a page of “What We Did in 2011.” He spoke briefly of the value of our Society, both to individuals and to the community. Not only is our preservation of records, abstracts, and photographs valuable, but as we work with young people -- students and Boy and Girl Scouts – we try to encourage in them an appreciation of our community’s place in state and national history.

Our guest speaker was Nan Hendrickson, a retired teacher, who has, over the years, presented her talks on Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley, to wide and appreciative audience. With a few remarks about each poem, she recited “Little Orphant Annie,” “Out to Old Aunt Mary’s,” “The Bear Story,” and several others. Of the dialect, she said, “That was just the way we talked,” referring to her own Indiana childhood.

A distribution of door prizes concluded the day. For the prizes, we sincerely thank Wheatley’s, Exclusive Salon, Focus Therapeutic, and Mascari Cleaners. Three more events will complete our year’s activities – the Acton U.M. Craft Fair on Saturday, November 5, Christmas in Wanamaker on Saturday, December 3, and our Society’s Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Meeting House on Sunday, December 18.

Society members Ginny Compton, left, and Bob Fraley, right, greet speaker Nan Hendrickson, who holds a 1937 volume of James Whitcomb Riley poetry that belonged to her father.

Remembrances: Hittle Tile Factory

2011-11-01T12:00:00.001-04:00

This interesting old photograph, its mounting broken, but taped to a piece of cardboard, and a torn edge also taped, is titled “Isaac Hittle Tile Co. 1880” It appeared in a March 12, 1976, issue of the Informer, under the heading “A Bygone Era.” The caption (unsigned) was “One of the oldest factories in Franklin Township was located one fourth mile north of Edgewood Avenue on Hickory Road. It was known as the Isaac Hittle Drain Tile company. It was located on the Isaac Hittle property, now owned by Ed Klasing and Bob Waterman. The factory made field drain tile around the year 1880.

“The mud for the tile came from the Hittle farm and was hauled in by steam engine and four wagons. It took three days and nights to bake a kiln full of tile. The farmers would drive for miles to get the tile the day the kiln was opened. The tile were so hot they would burn rings in the wooden wagon beds.

“The day the kiln was opened was a time the men swapped stories and watched the dogs fight. The man who was watching the kiln, at times would kill a rabbit and hang it in front of the fire door to cook.”

A business card for “Isaac Hittle, Manufacturer & Shipper of Superior Drain Tile (From 2 ½ to 9 Inches), Gallaudette, Indiana. Prices per M: 2 ½ in. $10 ; 3 in.. $11; 4 in. $17.50; 5 in.. $26; 6 in. $37; 7 in. $45; Made to Order: 8 in. $60; 9 in. $85.”

The Society’s book Historic Treasures of Franklin Township, includes more about the Hittle Family. Of Isaac, the biographer says, “Isaac Hittle continued to live on the farm but had many other interests. He owned and operated a tile factory from 1875 to 1898, and also a threshing machine. He was a surveyor, and was secretary of the New Bethel Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company until his retirement in 1924.”

Annual Membership Harvest Dinner - October 29

2011-10-09T19:05:00.002-04:00

Join us for our annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. This year's dinner will be held at New Bethel Baptist Church. Our guest speaker is Nan Hendrickson, who will share the poetry of Indiana's own James Whitcomb Riley.

Cost: $15 per person

Menu:

Roast pork in pineapple sauce
Roasted red potatoes
Oriental slaw
Vegetable medley casserole
Rolls with butter and apple butter
Choice of peach or cherry cobbler

To make your reservation, please mail your name(s) and a check for $15 per person to:

Franklin Township Historical Society
P.O. Box 39015
Indianapolis, IN 46239

Reservations must be received by October 22.

In Memory of Diana Stevenson

2011-10-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

The president of the Franklin Township Historical Society, Diana Stevenson, passed away on September 26, 2011. In the following Remembrances column, president emerita Sylvia Henricks looks back at Diana's contributions.

It was a beautiful day, this past July 6, when the Franklin Township Historical Society visited the Propylaeum at 1410 N. Delaware Street. Preceding the event, Diana met some of us at the Meeting House and gave us a leisurely drive “into the city,” with a short detour through the Old Northside neighborhood to see the recently restored Central Avenue Methodist Church, built in 1891 with additions in 1900 and 1922, now the home of Indiana Landmarks.

Arriving at the Propylaeum, we still had time for a bit of visiting on the big porch, and a photograph or two of all 14 of us, before we entered the impressive front door for our tour. The 19th Century house, built as a private home, with a wide stairway leading to a ball room on the third floor, has been the home of a Women’s Club for many years. The Club’s original building stood on North Street, and was razed in 1923 when the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza was built. Organized in 1888, by a group of Indianapolis women, the club’s name means "gateway to higher culture."

Our group reassembled for lunch in the sunny first floor dining room where we enjoyed good food, cloth napkins, stemmed glassware, and gracious service. It was a day to remember.

I sat near Diana, and took her picture. Not one of us would have believed that Diana would soon leave us. Our President since 2009, we considered ourselves fortunate to have so energetic and personable a leader. Even before she became president, she made a valuable contribution to the organization in 2005, using her skill to promote our application to the National Register of Historic Places to have our Meeting House (the former Big Run Baptist Church and Cemetery) added to their list.

We shall miss her, but shall be forever grateful for the time she spent with us.

Marjorie Main, again on the silver screen

2011-09-01T12:00:00.003-04:00

We posted last year when the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana showed a classic Marjorie Main film. Marjorie Main was born right here in Franklin Township -- in the town of Acton, to be precise -- and appeared in more than 80 films, often opposite big-name stars such as Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. She is best known as Ma Kettle, from the series of popular comedies.

If you missed your chance to see Acton's big-screen diva in action -- or if you'd like to see her again -- thank your lucky Hollywood stars, because they're doing it again!

This year, the Artcraft is showing the classic comedy Ma and Pa Kettle Go To Town the weekend of September 30-October 1. Get your tickets early; the theatre, which can seat over 500 attendees, has been known to sell out for popular films. People come from all over the world (literally!) to see movies at the vintage theatre. You can pre-order tickets at the Artcraft's website.

The Historic Artcraft Theatre is a 1922 vaudeville house and movie theatre that is now in the care of Franklin Heritage, Inc. It is staffed by volunteers, and all proceeds from events and ticket sales go toward restoration and preservation of this historic jewel. Arrive early and tour the building, or have a snack at one of Franklin's local eateries.

IHS Civil War Trail: Tennesee Revisited trip

2011-08-13T17:36:00.003-04:00

The Franklin Township Historical Society is not affiliated with the Indiana Historical Society, but the members of both organizations have similar interests. For that reason, you might be interested in this recent press release from the IHS:

Join us as we continue our travels in celebration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial this fall. During this trip, we explore both well-known and less familiar Civil War sites in Tennessee. Noted author and historian James Hoobler, senior curator for the Tennessee State Museum and former executive director of the Tennessee Historical Society, joins us and brings to life notable Tennessee battles and generals.

Our tour begins with a visit to Civil War and Reconstruction at the Tennessee State Museum. We travel on to Shiloh to learn about the controversial Battle of Shiloh and its connection to Indiana and General Lew Wallace. From there, we follow John Bell Hood’s campaign, learning about the Battle of Franklin with stops at Fort Granger, Winstead Hill, Carter House and Carnton Plantation, the setting for the New York Times bestseller Widow of the South. We’ll also visit Harrison House, a private home and formerly General Hood’s headquarters, and enjoy a progressive dinner in three significant Civil War era homes: Elm Spring, Rippavilla Plantation and Ferguson Hall.

To register or receive more information please contact Jennifer Hiatt at 317-234-2670 or e-mail at jhiatt@indianahistory.org.

Members' Lunch at the Propylaeum

2011-07-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

submitted by president emerita Sylvia Henricks

A day-trip is always fun, and the Society members who drove into Indianapolis in early July to visit the Propylaeum on Delaware Street for a tour and lunch had a good time. The big “Queen Anne style” mansion is the headquarters for a woman’s organization to “encourage the appreciation of the arts for the public, and especially for women." The name itself means “Gateway.”

It was organized in 1888, under the guidance of May Wright Sewell -- a painting of her by T.C. Steele is in the entrance hall – who became the first president. The group built an imposing stone clubhouse on North Street where they remained, sponsoring many groups for women, until the building of the World War Memorial in 1922 forced them to move. (Our member Joe Seiter brought a postcard of that first building to show us.)

The ladies purchased the house and lot at 1410 N. Delaware in 1923. The house had been built in the 1880s by a brewer whose wife wanted to live on the near north side, known as “the Gold Coast” area. It has many fine details – 12 foot ceilings, “pocket-doors.” A broad, carpeted staircase ascending three floors. A ballroom is on the third floor, along with the servants’ quarters. Six bedrooms and baths are on the second floor. Downstairs, the fireplace fronts are decorated with tile, believed to be Rookwood.

Later owners were George McCulloch, owner of the Indianapolis Star, and President and General Manager of the Indiana Transit Co. Another brewer, with many financial interests became the third owner, In the 1920s the College of Music and Fine Arts, a forerunner to the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University, bought the property, but “decided to free itself from the financial burden, and the house was purchased with Liberty Bonds by the Propylaeum for $65,000. (Most of the above information is from a brochure given guests.)

As funds have allowed the house has been restored. It is a beautiful example of elegant living in a bygone era. We –14 of us—enjoyed a lovely meal in one of the formal parlors, the table set with stemmed glasses, china and

flowers.

It was Evelyn’s birthday, and the hostess put her at the head of the table, with a tiara on her head. Our meals enjoyed and finished, our thank-you’s expressed to the hostess and the servers, we left through the “Georgian Style” front door with its hand-wrought iron grill, to return to our humbler, but no less treasured, Southside homes.

General Lew Wallace Study & Museum

2011-07-01T16:56:00.008-04:00

A few days ago, I had the privilege of making a special tour of the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum in Crawfordsville, IN, an easy morning's drive west of Indianapolis. If you have not had a chance to learn about this great American hero and author, I encourage you to make the trip!

Lew Wallace fought in two American wars (most notably in the Civil War, where he successfully defended both Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati, OH from major Confederate attacks), served as governor of the New Mexico territory -- where he famously made a plea bargain with Billy the Kid, who later violated the agreement by breaking out of prison -- and served as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. He presided over the trial of the conspirators who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. He was also an artist, a musician, an inventor and technological enthusiast. But he is best known as the author of the best-selling novel of the 19th century, a Biblical epic titled Ben-Hur. The book has been made into four motion pictures -- one of which is still tied for the record of most Academy Awards ever won by a single film -- an equally groundbreaking Broadway stage play, two stage musicals, and more.

The study, an exotic building of Wallace's own design and decorated with carved faces of characters from his books, is a delightful tour for those interested in history or architecture. It has been preserved in an almost undisturbed state -- it still contains Wallace's furniture, library and personal effects -- and is currently undergoing restoration on the interior to restore the original paint and intricate murals that were covered at some point in the past.

Also open is the visitor's center, originally the site's carriage house -- the gift shop is located in the stall belonging to the horse Wallace rode in the Civil War -- which houses an informative exhibit on historic preservation. For tour information, please visit the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum website.

Special Events

For Civil War enthusiasts, the museum is hosting a number of lectures and reenactments throughout the month of July, including lectures on the Underground Railroad, Civil War photographer Matthew Brady, and Mary Todd Lincoln. For more information, please visit http://ben-hur.com/aboutus/newsevents.html.

Lunch at the Propylaeum

2011-05-15T12:00:00.002-04:00

Join us Wednesday, July 6 for an exclusive FTHS Membership event! We'll have a private tour of the historic Propylaeum, followed by a delicious lunch. (A donation of $1 is requested for the tour, and the full menu can be viewed here.)

For more information on the Propylaeum, visit thepropylaeum.org.

If your FTHS membership is not current, don't worry -- an annual membership is only $10, and you can renew it at any time! Visit our website's membership page for more information.

To RSVP to this event, email Nancy at nanvana@gmail.com.

IHS "Grave Matters" Cemetery Trip

2011-05-15T02:00:00.006-04:00

On June 9 join IHS Membership and Local History Services staff for an exciting day-trip to Spring Grove in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the Midwest’s oldest historic cemeteries!

Founded in 1845, Spring Grove boasts over 400 acres of beautifully maintained gardens and cemetery spaces. The tour group will be treated to an in-depth, one hour walking tour by Spring Grove’s chief horticulturalist. The trip will include stops at two additional cemeteries in Indiana for brief walking tours.

Indiana cemetery experts Jeannie Regan-Dinius of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Sheila Riley of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will accompany the group and make presentations throughout the day. Lunch, snacks and transportation via coach will be provided.

Space is limited, so register now! To secure your spot, please contact Jennifer Hiatt at (317) 234-2670 or jhiatt@indianahistory.org. The registration fee is $40 for IHS members and $60 for non-members (includes Individual membership).

Please note: for the purposes of the walking tours, guests should be able to stand and walk for up to an hour at a time.

2011-04-22T12:00:00.003-04:00

Beech Grove, our neighbor community to the north west, is the subject of a new book. being sold by the Beech Grove Library. Produced by Arcadia Publishing, as one of their Images of America Series, the 127 page book is well-written, interesting and full of new and old black and white photographs. Eleven of the photos are of postcards from the collection of our own society member, Joe Seiter. The text is written by Jim Hillman and John Murphy, “with the Beech Grove Public Library.”

The Foreword by former Beech Grove Mayor Donald Joe Wright gives an overview of the earliest days of the area, when the prominent families were the Churchmans, McGregors, Boltons and Cottmans. The Churchman property was then in Franklin Township, and George Cottman, who became a historian, wrote at one time of attending school at “No.9,” the one-room Franklin Township district school known as Poplar Grove.

In 1904 construction began on a large repair facility by the Big Four Railroad (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St.Louis Railway). Beech Grove as a town also had its beginning, at first only four homes and two businesses. But as the repair facility for engines and passenger cars grew, so did the town. Beech Grove was incorporated in 1906. The Shops were completed in 1908.. “Of the original 2400 acres the railroad had acquired, 640 acres were reserved for the Shops and rail operations, and the balance formed the original land for the town itself,” the authors wrote.

The name of the facility has changed over the years. In 1923 it took the name of its parent Company, the New York Central Shops. During World War II, it had its busiest years with 5000 men and women employed, but after the war railroad traffic declined, and in 1968 the NYC Railroad merged with Penn Central, and the facility became the Penn Central Shops.

The Federal Government created the Amtrak passenger rail system, which used the repair facilities of the Penn Central Shops in1975. In 1986 Amtrak took control of the facility, renaming it Amtrak Shops.

The attractive paperback, which sells for $23.50 at the Beech Grove Library also records the growth of Beech Grove, its businesses, schools, homes and celebrations. Beech Grove opted, in 1970, not to join UNIGOV, the county-wide consolidation with Indianapolis, and maintains its own government and municipal services. The Society has added a copy of the book to our collection of local histories, and you may look at it at our Meeting House.

2011 Quilt Show

2011-04-16T14:12:00.006-04:00

We had quite a turnout for our 7th Quilt Show! If you missed the event, here are a few detail pictures highlighting the gorgeous pieces that were entered. You can view the full gallery at https://picasaweb.google.com/FranklinTownshipHistory/7thQuiltShowApr162011#.

Remembrances - Poetry

2011-04-13T12:00:00.002-04:00

Brenda Lempp of Madison, Wisconsin, has been writing poetry, she says, since she was 13 year old. She was born and grew up in Acton, the third oldest of Clifford and Betty Kight’s nine children. Now married to her high school pen-pal from Germany, Steffan , who is a mathematics professor at UW-Madison, she is the mother of three children, and has recently published her second collection of poems about her childhood.

Brenda and I became acquainted several years ago when she worked for the Informer. After graduating from Franklin Central, she attended Franklin College, earning a degree in journalism. Brenda has worked for newspapers in Indiana, Florida, and Illinois. She has also taught, substituted, supervised a school lunch room, volunteered in school libraries, edited school yearbooks, and “clowned around as Buzzy the Clown with Happy’s Clown Club.”

Poetry has always been a big part of her life, she admits. She has led a poetry group for 20 years, and is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and the Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Association and. She published her first chapbook, Yellow Smiles, in 2000, and her poems have appeared in several publications.

Last year she produced her second book, Collecting Memories, Childhood Poems, dedicating it to her parents. So large a family provided Brenda with countless images and memories of the life they shared in Acton., images of home-made fun and happy times.

Brenda signed and sent two copies of her latest book, one for the Historical Society and one to me. In a note she said that she recently shared in a reading for the Wisconsin Festival of Poets. “I dedicated my reading to Mildred Mahler, and I read two of her poems,” Brenda wrote, “and several from my chapbook.” (Mrs. Mahler, named by some “Acton’s Poet Laureate” wrote many poems from which Olga Woolman and I chose some for a Township Historical Society’s publication, Apron Pocket Poems, printed in 1980.)

Collecting Memories contains 41 of Brenda’s poems, with the title poem on the back cover.

Being a poet, is a meaningful part of her life, Brenda Kight Lempp says, although she admits “I sometimes am too busy to write.” “But,” she adds, “I can’t stop writing.”

Brenda’s first chapbook, Yellow Smiles, Family Poems, about her three children, Kiki, Kari, and Kevin, was published in 2000. Her latest book, Collecting Memories was completed last year. Both books are in the Township Historical Society’s collection of local authors.

In Collecting Memories, Brenda writes about her own childhood in Acton where she grew up, one of nine children of Clifford and the late Betty Kight. She dedicated the book to her parents. Her poems reflect a happy, if sometimes crowded household, family fun, and many of the small-town pleasures of life in Acton.

The first one in the book is “Mom’s Favorites.”

I miss my childhood days
when mom cooked peppery sausage, biscuits and gravy,
or hot French toast topped with grape jelly.

For a snack after school,
we loved hot buttered sugar and cinnamon toast,
Those cold Indiana winters were warm
with Mom’s special home-canned vegetable soup.

For dinner, cornbread crumbled with white navy beans
or garden green beans cooked with potatoes and ham.
And oh, I could never resist smothered liver
or a rhubarb crisp cooked in Mom’s old iron skillet.

(three holiday meals omitted)

When I get homesick, there’s nothing
like cooking Mom’s favorites,
Just the smell of a bacon and egg sandwich at breakfast
takes me back home.

There’s only room for the two final verses of “My Special Place.”

Sometimes I look back,/ and I see the little girl/sitting by the lamp.
I hear the refrigerator murmur,/ the clock tick on the wall.
I feel the thirst for knowledge/ and the flow of words on paper.

Years later,/ I still want that corner in my life.
There is my special place/ the lamp warmed me/ the bench hugged me
The clock listened to me, / the refrigerator soothed me,/And words flowed from my pen.

The next best thing to writing poetry is to read it. Thank you, Brenda.

2011 Events

2011-03-01T12:00:00.002-05:00

2011 promises to be busy! You can always check our online events calendar to see what's happening, but here's a quick reference of dates to save for this year's special events:

April 16 - 7th Quilt Show at Zion Education Building

May 15 - Croquet Tournament during Open Hours at Meeting House

June 4 - Postcard Exhibit during Open Hours at Meeting House

June 26 - Old Settlers Day in Wanamaker

July 6 - FTHS Members Tour and Lunch at the Propylaeum

July 17 - Vintage Toy Exhibit during Open Hours at Meeting House

September 18 - Big Run Cemetery Walk during Open Hours

October 16 - Ghost Stories during Open Hours at Meeting House

October 29 - Membership Harvest Dinner

December 18 - Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration at Meeting House

We're always adding more events to the calendar, so be sure to subscribe to our email list and check back for updates. If there's an event or topic you would like us to cover, be sure and let us know! You can visit us in person during Open Hours (the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month from 1 to 4 p.m., May through October) at the Meeting House, 6510 S. Franklin Rd., or contact us through our website.

What We Did in 2010

2010-12-06T15:35:00.002-05:00

Every year, the president of the Franklin Township Historical Society compiles a summary of the year's events. Here is this year's wrap-up from FTHS president Diana Stevenson.

Sages say that “time flies when you’re having fun,” and Franklin Township Historical Society has been having fun for 35 years! Our members and the community continue to astound us with their interest, their support, and their contributions in keeping and documenting the history of Franklin Township. Our Meeting House has welcomed over 200 guests during 2010, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Franklin Township 4-H club members, the 1960 graduating class of Franklin Township High School, and numerous visitors during Open Hours. Special activities during Open Hours were quite successful: two croquet tournaments, a cat demonstration, a post card exchange and tours of Big Run Cemetery.

Community participation efforts included our input in the planning of an Indy Parks recreation area near the Wanamaker Post Office, providing input for a proposed Historic Michigan Road Byway and judging student projects for National History Day. Presentations informing local groups about our historical society were given to the Four Corners Home Ec Club, Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, Perry Township Historical Society, and Marion County Home Economics group. We provided an exhibit for the Wanamaker Branch Public Library and participated in the second annual Genealogy Fair at the Indiana State Library.

The “Remembrances” weekly column continues in popularity and provides a wealth of information to readers of the Informer. Sylvia Henricks is to be applauded for this important contribution and for her encouragement in recruiting other members to provide stories of interest.

The Christmas holidays provided an opportunity for walking in the annual Christmas Parade in conjunction with “Christmas in Wanamaker,” and we held our first Old Fashioned Christmas Party at the Meeting House, where we sang carols and enjoyed cookies and hot cider.

We published a new book, A Celebration of Learning, an updated history of Franklin Township Schools, and created new note cards this year. Our publications continue to be our most valuable funding source. Old Settlers’ Day, Christmas in Wanamaker, Acton Craft Fair and a Harvest Festival at the Moravian Church allow us to showcase our publications. Since the 2009 Annual Meeting, we have accepted 3 new lifetime members and 10 new regular members. A special thanks goes out to all those who renew their membership annually.

We continue to receive inquiries via the internet and our webmaster, Alena Van Arendonk, has moved us into the 21^st century with the addition of Facebook!

We continue to send quarterly newsletters to our members, have monthly board meetings, and have nearly completed a data base of our possessions. There are some new exhibits in the display cases at the Meeting House, some newly organized and indexed scrapbooks making them more user-friendly for our visitors and many new gifts received during the year from the community and our members. This year has been another opportunity for Franklin Township Historical Society to be the recipient of an Eagle Scout project. Josh Armentrout recently completed his project, which includes a lighted sign that once served to provide information about Big Run Baptist Church. We can now post information about upcoming events on our new sign and our American flag is lighted at dark.

As the year closes, it is a perfect time to thank the Board Members of the Franklin Township Historical Society. Their faithfulness in attending meetings, participating in events, sending press releases, cleaning the Meeting House, and baking cookies is greatly appreciated! Kudos to John Kanouse, Carolyn Kanouse, Dana Crapo, , Sylvia Henricks, Nancy Van Arendonk, Diana Hipple, Ginny Compton, Larry Stevenson, David Ostheimer, Alena Van Arendonk, Marlena Linne, Jim Winton, Evelyn Tandy and Ben Schuman.

Diana Stevenson, president

November 4, 2010

Croquet Competition at FTHS Meeting House

2010-09-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

Franklin Township Historical Society invites one and all to participate in a croquet tournament at the Meeting House (6510 South Franklin Road) on Saturday, October 2. Sign-ups will begin at 1 p.m. with play starting at 1:45 p.m. This event is free and open to all ages. Light refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact Diana Stevenson at kimgada2004@yahoo.com.

Marjorie Main - Ma Kettle

2010-09-25T12:00:00.003-04:00

Among Acton's many and varied claims to fame is that it is the birthplace of actress Marjorie Main. Although she appeared in more than 80 roles throughout her career, often opposite big-name stars such as Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne and Judy Garland, she is best remembered as Ma Kettle from the popular series of Ma & Pa Kettle films.

On October 8 and 9, the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana will be showing one of these classic films, The Further Adventures of Ma & Pa Kettle. If you haven't seen this local girl on the big screen, now's your chance! You'll also be supporting historic preservation; the Artcraft is a 1920s-vintage movie palace in care of the non-profit organization Franklin Heritage, Inc., and all proceeds go to the restoration of the building.

For more information, visit the Artcraft's website.

Phillip Gulley at Harvest Dinner

2010-09-11T16:53:00.002-04:00

The FTHS is proud to announce that Phillip Gulley, author of 16 books and Emmy-winning television personality, will be the speaker Nov. 4th at the Franklin Township Historical Society’s annual Harvest Dinner. The event is open to the public.

Gulley, best known for his “Harmony” series and other widely-acclaimed books, also hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the PBS/WFYI television show Across Indiana.
The Wall Street Journal has said of him, “Philip Gulley [has] a charming sense of small-town life and a shrewd sense of life in general. A self-deprecating narrator, he knows how to exaggerate in a witty way.”

The event will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 4th at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 8936 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis. Tickets are $25 per person and include a full dinner. Attendees will also be able to speak with Phillip Gulley afterward and have books autographed, if desired. To reserve a place, mail payment to the Franklin Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 39015, Indianapolis, IN 46239. For more information, contact Diana Stevenson (317-862-8822 or kimgada2004@yahoo.com).

Post Cards on Display

2010-06-29T14:30:00.001-04:00

Franklin Township Historical Society invites all those interested in post cards to come to Open Hours at the Meeting House (6510 South Franklin Road) on July 18, from 1-4 p.m. "It is interesting to see what cards are most valued by collectors," says Joe Seiter, long time post card enthusiast. FTHS has several collections that will be on display and some cards will be offered for sale.

Old Settlers Day

2010-06-21T21:30:00.004-04:00

Join us Sunday, June 27 for Old Settlers Day, Wanamaker's annual summer street fair! We will again be hosting our popular used book sale -- books of every genre are only 50 cents each! -- as well as offering our publications, memberships, Instant Ancestors, and more at our booth.

For more information on Old Settlers Day, visit the FTCC's page.

Remembrances: Watercolor Cabin

2010-05-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Open Hours at the Society's Meeting House -- 6510 S. Franklin Road, from 1 to 4 p.m., on the first Saturdays, and the third Sundays of March through October -- are almost always an interesting time. All members are invited to share the afternoons, greet visitors, and perhaps help answer their questions.

We never know what a visitor may ask for -- information on his family -- the history of an old house he may be remodeling -- the photo of a great-grandparent who may have attended one of the district schools. We have a variety of places to look: abstracts, files of photographs, our own publications, scrapbooks and family histories. Sometimes we can help, sometimes not, but we never fail to try.

When township resident Stanley Wise came on our first Open Hours of the season, he said, "My father, Donald Wise, who died a few years ago, told me you had a picture of the old house -- a log cabin -- that once stood on Maze Road where the house my parents, Don and Iona Wise, later lived, and where I now live. The old house, my father thought, had a dug well in front, and another in the back, with a few outbuildings."

Several of us looked through our Area Old Houses book, our 2009 Calendar of historic homes, and through our collection of old photographs. Nothing. And then I heard Stanley say, "Yes, that's it." Dave Ostheimer had found what we were looking for -- but in a form that I, at least, had not thought of. It was a small framed watercolor, one of three given to the Society by Leroy Compton many years ago, on display in one of our cases.

The paintings were done by a relative of Leroy's, Dale Hendrickson, who with his wife liked to come "from the city" and visit his wife's sister, Leroy's grandmother, Edith Rabourn Maze at their farm home on Knapp Road. Dale sometimes brought his paints along. The other two watercolors are also country scenes -- a house on Knapp Road, and a log barn.

A card taped to the bottom edge of the frame identified the scene. "This log house was located where the Donald Wise family now live at 9540 Maze Road. Leroy Compton commented: 'My grandfather, Roy Maze, had a brother, Erasmus, who returned to Indiana from one of the Dakotas where the had homesteaded. Erasmus moved into the house where the Chamberlains now live, down a lane by the west side of the house in the picture. In the 1930s Erasmus built a new house on the site of the log house. My folks tell me that they remember the last occupant of the log house, an elderly single fellow who did odd jobs and lived from his garden, which occupied most of his summer time. My mother thinks the man's name was Nixon. Before the house was torn down, my grandfather stored farm implements in it.'"

More 2010 Events!

2010-05-03T16:09:00.005-04:00

We're celebrating our 35th anniversary with lots of free community events! If you've been reading along, you already know about our Barnyard Croquet Tournament and Performing Cat demonstration on May 15 (if you missed this news, it's from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Meeting House). But be sure to add our other summer events to your calendar, as well! Here's a handy reference list that you can copy to your calendar, tape to your refrigerator door, or otherwise turn into a memorandum:

May 15 - Barnyard Croquet Tournament and Performing Cats, at the Meeting House (6510 S. Franklin Rd.), 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

May 16 - Regular Open Hours at the Meeting House.

June 5 - Informative Cemetery Walk at the Big Run Cemetery (across the street from the Meeting House, on Franklin Rd.) during Open Hours.

June 19 - Field Trip to historic Spiritualist camp at Chesterfield, IN. Departs from Meeting House in morning; returns early afternoon.

June 20 - Regular Open Hours at the Meeting House.

June 27 - Old Settlers' Day street fair on Southeastern Ave. in Wanamaker.

July 3 - Regular Open Hours at the Meeting House.

July 18 - Antique Postcard Display during Open Hours at the Meeting House.

August 7 - Regular Open Hours at the Meeting House.

August 22 - Regular Open Hours at the Meeting House.

There are more events to come in the fall and winter, so check back frequently!

A Celebration of Learning: Memorials and Tributes

2010-03-17T17:20:00.006-04:00

Attention, Franklin Township Residents!

Franklin Township Historical Society is preparing to publish an updated book on the history of Franklin Township Schools. A Celebration of Learning: An Updated History of Franklin Township Schools is planned for summer of 2010. Many of you purchased copies of a 1988 publication, Readin', Writin' and Rememberin', and the new book will highlight many of the changes since that time.

To offset the cost of publishing, FTHS is inviting individuals and local businesses to place notes of appreciation in the book to (1) honor someone, or (2) in memory of someone who has been a positive influence in your life. The costs of these tributes are: an eighth of a page ($25); one-fourth of a page ($40) and a half page ($75). Space is limited. The deadline for placing this information in the new book is April 30. The name of the person being honored may have 10 – 15 words of description (sample at right).

For information regarding the placement of these tributes, phone 862-8822 or e-mail kimgada2004@yahoo.com. You may also contact any member of the “Celebration of Learning” committee: Sylvia Henricks, David Ostheimer, Barb Fengya, Linda Hayward or Diana Stevenson.

2010 Events

2010-03-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

The FTHS has a full schedule this year!

In 2010 we celebrate our 35th anniversary! Plus, we have a new book in the works (more on that later!), and we're working on some very special programs for our membership.

The first date to save is May 15, 2010. We'll be hosting an old-fashioned croquet tournament! For those not participating in the lawn games, Melissa Heigl of The Ideal Pet will offer a performance featuring her amazing trained cats. Melissa and her performing cats have been featured in The Indianapolis Star and on Fox 59.

Stay tuned for more free community events, brought to you by the Franklin Township Historical Society!

Four Corners Home Economics Club

2010-03-08T12:00:00.001-05:00

Photo: (L to R) Phyllis Reasoner, Iona Wise and Eleanor Radcliffe preparing soup in the kitchen of Acton United Methodist Church.

In what has become a tradition, the members of the Four Corners Home Economic club met recently for their January soup meeting. Everyone began arriving with a small container of chopped vegetables which were added to a simmering meat broth that would soon be ladled out as a delicious vegetable soup. There is no need to remind readers of the delicious aroma guiding the group into the kitchen. “We meet monthly, and several years ago, we started out the new year by gathering together and making soup for lunch at our first meeting of the year,” stated Phyllis Reasoner, a long-time member of the group.

Beulah Rabourn and Juanita Wilson, charter members of Four Corners Club were in attendance at the meeting and recalled a time when the group had lots of members and there were several Home Economics clubs active in rural communities. Home economic clubs were started in Indiana about 1915 and were intended to strengthen families and communities through education and leadership training. Extension services reached out to more than 70,000 homes in Indiana by the 1950s, focusing on health, nutrition, sewing and other homemaking skills. “Today, we have twelve members and most of the time, we just go out to eat,” says Jan Schildmeier, the current leader of the club. “We still do some community service projects, but our club is primarily a social gathering.” In the recent past, Four Corners Club has completed projects with Riley Hospital, some local nursing homes and a Christmas project with Veterans.

Members of the group are Garnet Denney, Sandy Gilkerson, May Jamison, Barbara Rowe, Carol Waterman, Sandy Weber, Phyllis Reasoner, Iona Wise, Eleanor Radcliffe, Beulah Rabourn, Juanita Wilson, and Jan Schildmeier. Eight additional members are inactive due to health issues.

A brief meeting with a speaker from Franklin Township Historical Society allowed time for the soup to cook. A relish tray was assembled and a tempting pretzel salad dessert with cherry topping was placed on the counter. One could tell that this group of women knew all about homemaking and hostessing at its finest.

article by FTHS president Diana Stevenson

"Indiana Experience" at IHS

2010-03-06T15:51:00.002-05:00

Nothing FTHS-specific today, but if you're interested in local or state history, you might want to check out the new "Indiana Experience" at the Indiana Historical Society.

Follow this link for more information.

2010 Open Hours Begin!

2010-03-02T16:46:00.003-05:00

Join us this Saturday for our first Open Hours of 2010! The Meeting House (located at 6510 S. Franklin Road) will be open for visitation from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Meeting House is open to the public on the first Saturday and third Sunday of the month from March through October. During open hours, visitors may tour the Meeting House and Big Run Cemetery, read and purchase FTHS publications, research their family's local history, view our collection of artifacts, period photographs, vintage clothing, township school yearbooks and athletic records, and more.

Remembrances: Acton Camp Ground

2010-02-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Today, we bring you one of Sylvia Henricks' "Remembrances." You can read more of Sylvia's columns weekly in The Franklin Township Informer, or in her book From The Ash Grove (available directly from the FTHS, and via the web site).

At right is a photograph of the “lake” on the Acton Camp Ground. You can see it is a more modest expanse of water than last week’s photo. (If you can identify the lake shown last week, please call the Informer or me.) This lake originated when, in the late 1800s, the directors of the camp ground decided to construct it as a means of fire protection and for recreation. They dammed up the creek that runs through the grounds near the corner of Southport and Acton Roads. The camp ground papers include a list of cottage holders who made $5 and $10 contributions toward the cost.

The Society has two photos of the lake, about 6 x 8 inches in size, sepia toned and mounted, similar, but taken from slightly different angles. They are the work of amateur Acton photographer Oscar Meacham (1871-1944). The late David Meacham, Oscar’s son, was one of our long-time Society members. He gave us many of his father’s photographs, a few of his glass plate negatives, and some of the film processing equipment he used..

David also wrote a biography of his father of which the Society has a copy. Oscar became head of the family when his father, a medical doctor in Acton, became ill and died at age 53. Oscar was 17. “He dropped out of the Acton Academy and went to work for the New York Central Railroad as a telegrapher at the Acton station. Later he was an operator of Dix Tower (Dix Road, Acton), and of a tower near Cincinnati, and was the Station Master of the Acton Depot.”

Oscar Meacham was also an amateur photographer. “He built a studio or ‘gallery’ behind the family home at 7735 Swails Street (then Washington Street). He attended photography school and photographers’ conventions at Winona Lake. He made many portraits. He took pictures of people, places and things using his studio camera mounted on a folding tripod. He took ‘trick pictures’ of himself as well… He traveled around the countryside on his bicycle with his camera, taking pictures of people lying in their coffins as requested by their families. (This was a custom of that time.)”

We have Oscar Meacham – and his son David -- to thank for many of our early photos of the Acton area. A favorite is one of a Big Four engine standing in front of the Acton Depot. Oscar is in that photo, David told us, standing at the front, with his hands on his hips.

New Mailing List!

2010-02-19T17:26:00.003-05:00

There's a new way to stay up to date with the Franklin Township Historical Society! Sign up for our e-mail list at our website.

We won't e-mail you very often, and we will NEVER sell your address to advertisers or spammers. We just want to make it easier for you to keep in touch!

Remembrances: County Institute School Teachers

2010-02-05T21:08:00.005-05:00

On the back of this old photo is written "County Institute, Court House front. School teachers." Given to the Franklin Township Historical Society in "9-1992" it originally belonged to Paul Copeland, a Franklin Township school teacher.

The photo is undated, but the clothing of the persons shown appears to be the late 1800s. The "Court House" is the building on east Washington Street replaced quite a few years ago now by the City County Building. The "County Institute" was a progam adopted by professional educators to encourage and instruct school teachers, especially those in rural schools, in their methods and content of their teaching.

The Indiana State Teachers Association was organized in 1854, but it was not until 1865 that the state began to require annual teacher institutes, later supplemented by monthly township institutes. (The idea was widespread that anyone could teach, especially in a country school.)

The first state normal school was opened on January 6, 1865, in Terre Haute. Other such schools followed. Historian Logan Esary stated in A History of Indiana from 1850 to 1920, "Besides these, there have been hundreds of temporary 'summer normals,' holding usually ten weeks in which a modicum of methods have been taught" One of these summer normal schools was held at Acton for several years. (See our Society's publication. Readin', Writin', and Rememberin' [1988]).

Among our possessions is a Xerox copy of a journal kept for a few years by William T. Maze, a local farmer-school teacher who attended the Acton Normal School, and also, on occasion, went to the County Institute in Indianapolis.

Interesting to note in the photo, is the number of women. What was once considered a man's profession became increasingly one for women. James Madison in his book, The Indiana Way (1986), quotes Caleb Mills, an Indiana educator who said on hiring women teachers, "the expenses might be materially diminished while the character of the schools might be essentially improved." The author continued, "Only 1/5 of the teachers were women in 1860, more than half by 1900, and two-thirds by World War I."

As Seen On TV!*

2010-01-30T12:00:00.001-05:00

Finances have weighed heavily on the public mind for the past couple of years. One of the most common -- and perhaps the most overused -- phrases in all of 2009 was, "In this economy..." We've all fretted over the rising prices of gasoline and other amenities, and many consumers have cut back on spending in an attempt to stretch their dollars a bit more.

In 1953, when this photo of Ault's Service Station (8602 Southeastern Ave.; now Randy's Pizza) was taken, a gallon of gasoline cost less than a quarter. At times, when stations were in competition, the price dipped as low as 15 cents per gallon. Oh, for those days again...!

Of course, inflation ran its course. As the millennium drew to a close, a gallon of gas cost closer to a dollar -- though, again, at times the price wars dropped it to 78 or 80 cents.

The last time I filled my tank, I paid $2.79 per gallon -- a full two dollars more than I might have paid only a decade ago.

Thinking about those two dollars makes you long for a really good bargain, doesn't it?

...For example, something that would cost you less than a dollar per month -- but would give you priceless benefits in return?

Yes, yes, you know where I'm going now, because this entire post is a shameless bait-and-switch! This is the part in the script where you say, "Tell me where I can find such a great value!" and I reply, "A membership in the Franklin Township Historical Society costs only ten dollars per year." That's only 83 cents per month!

"But wait, there's more!"

For your donation, you'll receive a host of benefits. In addition to the Society's newsletter, you'll be invited to attend Membership Dinners and other events. You'll also be supporting educational presentations in local schools, walking tours of Wanamaker and Acton, cemetery tours, quilt and antiques shows, historic preservation and archiving, and many other community programs sponsored or contributed to by the Franklin Township Historical Society. You'll even be supporting this blog, and all the photos and articles that appear herein.

All that, and more, for just 83 cents per month. That's so little money, I can't even convert it to the obligatory cups-of-coffee scale.

Or, if you've an inclination to long-term planning, you can join as a Life Member for a one-time $100 donation! That's right -- full membership benefits, every year for the rest of your life, and you'll never need to send another check! It's an even better deal than the low, low price of $10/year!

Okay, enough of the infomercial script; since we're a nonprofit organization, we don't really have operators standing by. To join the Society, or to renew your membership, please mail your check (made out to Franklin Township Historical Society) to:

FTHS Membership
c/o Virginia Compton
8103 Mathews Road
Indianapolis, IN 46259

The Franklin Township Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization, and relies on donations to operate. All contributions to the Franklin Township Historical Society are tax-deductible.

* The title of this post is in fact accurate, as the Franklin Township Historical Society has been featured on no fewer than three national television programs. We're famous! Kinda.

Remembrances: Paris Plaiter

2010-01-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Today, we bring you one of Sylvia Henricks' "Remembrances." You can read more of Sylvia's columns weekly in The Franklin Township Informer, or in her book From The Ash Grove (available directly from the FTHS, and via the web site).

"We found this in an old trunk in an upstairs bedroom of the house my daughter and her husband bought," Nancy VanArendonk said, showing us a strange object, a wooden board covered on one side with narrow metal strips hinged at one end and clamping to the board at the other.

What could it be? We at the Meeting House, gathered for a board meeting, had no idea. Faded printed directions on the back of the board gave us a suggestion, calling it a "Paris Plaiter." "Plaiting," to our group, meant a braiding-like process, but as we deciphered the instructions, we learned they referred to what we call "pleating." The device was apparently an aid to producing evenly spaced pleats in a dress or blouse.

I took the Paris Plaiter home, cleaned it up a bit -- it was both rusty and dirty, but apparently in working order. As I read the directions (with a magnifying glass, I must admit), I learned you needed a cardboard gauge to properly pleat the fabric, which lay under some of the metal strips, and on top of others. But how did you keep the pleats in place so you could sew them down.? A final sentence in the directions suggested the answer. "If you are working with wool, use a damp cloth." Of course! You ironed them in -- that was why the thing was on a heavy board!

While I didn't succeed in making a set of plaits/pleats, I could see it might be done by a nimble-fingered persistent seamstress. I found a 1906 copy of a women's magazine, and sure enough, there was an article about making tucks, gathers and pleats. But who today makes pleated bodices, which would also surely have to be carefully ironed?

One wonders if the seamstress of a century ago who lived on a farm on Vandergriff Road and who bought a Paris Plaiter found it useful. Perhaps she tried it out, decided her "old way" was easier, and put her new purchase away for a future day...

Bring-An-Item Antiques Showcase

2010-01-18T15:00:00.000-05:00

While it's cold and snowy and dark outside, it's best to think back to warm times... like last August, when the FTHS sponsored its second "Bring-An-Item" Antiques Showcase! If you missed the event, here's a recap:

It just goes to show that often it's right to hang on to those old things.

The "Bring-An-Item" antiques showcase, sponsored by the Franklin Township Historical Society and held August 2, 2009 at the Zion United Church of Christ, drew a wide variety of items to be evaluated. Attendees arrived with china, a Civil War sword, an autographed baseball, old artwork, silver and statuary, among other things. But the focus of the event turned out to be a set of toys that were originally paid for with chickens.

Harold Prange brought farming toys that were originally purchased for him in 1938 when he was a boy. At that time, he says, the toys were paid for with two chickens, and he played with the toys quite a bit. But when Antique Week editor Connie Swaim examined the toys and looked up the prices at which the same items had recently sold at auction, Mr. Prange learned that his three toys are now worth $1,500.00.

It's the hope for that sort of news that draws many of the people who attend events such as this one. Some come with a cherished family heirloom; others attend just hoping that that old item they stored all these years might turn out to be worth something.

This was the second year that the Franklin Township Historical Society has offered the "Bring An Item" event. This year, as last, those attending were able to enjoy complimentary refreshments while they waited to have their items examined, and were also able to browse the collection of Historical Society publications for sale.

This year's event was again made possible with the assistance of Antique Week editor Connie Swaim and a group of evaluators from the Exit 76 Antique Mall. The Franklin Township Historical Society greatly appreciates the work done by each of these individuals, all of whom came at their own expense, making it possible for the Society to again offer this event to the public free of charge.

The Historical Society also wishes to thank Zion United Church of Christ for graciously allowing the use of its facilities.

Remembrances: Post Cards

2010-01-12T00:31:00.001-05:00

Today, we bring you one of Sylvia Henricks' "Remembrances." You can read more of Sylvia's columns weekly in The Franklin Township Informer, or in her book From The Ash Grove (available directly from the FTHS, or via the web site).

“Everyone ought to have a hobby, and it ought to be something he can share,” says Joe Seiter, a postcard collector and new member of the Franklin Township Historical Society. Joe has collected Indiana postcards for 35 years, and still finds cards to add to his favorite subjects, interurban, small town street scenes, and Santa Claus cards.

“I think we are all collectors by nature,” he says. Born and raised on Indianapolis east side, Joe remembers as a boy collecting balls of string to sell to a dealer who came through the neighborhood. Then he and a friend picked up discarded cigarette packages and took out the tinfoil, squeezing it into a ball. That, too, found a market as did match book covers, used stamps, and all kinds of Christmas memorabilia.

“And then,” he continues, “sometime in my twenties, I saw an ad for 100 postcards for $1.00. I asked for as many Indianapolis cards as possible, getting about 40 such cards in the package.” During Army service in the Korean War, marriage and a 35 year career at Western Electric, Joe’s love of Indiana postcards has grown and remains his favorite activity.

His cards are carefully arranged in albums. A special album holds his 350-plus interurban cards, showing the big electric “tractions” stopping at intersections for passengers, rolling through the countryside, crossing bridges, in city traffic with horse drawn wagons and automobiles, and at stations. Some cards show groups ready for an outing posing in front of cars. Other cards show the buildings which produced the electricity that powered the interurbans. Several show the Interurban Terminal on Market Street in downtown Indianapolis, with its nine tracks, the largest such station in the country. (Only Ohio had more miles of track than Indiana.)

Joe values all postcards for their historic and sentimental value. “Sometimes a postcard is the only proof that a house or building really stood somewhere,” he says. The monetary value of individual postcards depends on its rarity, and its condition. “Most valuable,” he says, “are the ‘real photos,’ actual black and white photographs printed on postcard stock. ‘Views’ are often colored and are printed by a different process, often with a white border.”

Joe, who lives in Perry Township, is a charter member of the Indianapolis Postcard Club, organized in 1975, and has served as president for some 20 years. He also has 17 postcards of Acton, of which he has given us copies. He enjoyed looking at our Society’s postcard collection, commenting, “I’m always intrigued to see a “new” card I haven’t seen before.”

Welcome to the FTHS blog!

2010-01-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

Hello, and welcome to the blog of the Franklin Township Historical Society! Here you'll find reports and photos of our member gatherings, special events, educational seminars and more. If you're in or near Indianapolis and interested in your community's history, we encourage you to get involved!

If you're not currently a member of the FTHS, click over to our website and learn more about our organization!

You can also visit us on Facebook and become a fan.