History

Latest Posts for Local History

• Harry C. Stutz left his mark on automotive industry
  With “transformative” renovations now under way at the former automobile factory known for years as the Stutz Business Center and now more simply as “the Stutz,” historian Connie Zeigler takes a look at the man whose business acumen launched the famous automobile company. [Read More…]
• History 301: An early newspaper describes life in new state capital
  This illustration depicts Indianapolis soon after the Western Censor was first published. The artist captured Washington Street looking west from Pennsylvania Street In 1825. INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY By CONNIE ZEIGLER, Contributing editor For the [Read More…]
• History 301: It took local media a while to warm up to cocktails
  By CONNIE ZEIGLER, Contributing editor In at least one ranking of states Indiana stands near the bottom, and that is probably a good thing. The online source, 24/7 Wall Street, ranked Indiana 30th in a list of “the drunkest states” compiled in [Read More…]
• History 301: Milliners thrived in early Indianapolis
  By CONNIE ZIEGLER, Contributing editor Long before Indianapolis became known as the capital of motor car racing, it was known as the capital of millinery. In fact, the first milliner arrived in the city in the 1820s when the young city was a [Read More…]
• Indiana Landmarks to explore ‘The Legacy of Juneteenth’
  Juneteenth – the oldest known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States – commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived on Galveston Island with word that the Civil War was over and enslaved people were free. On Sunday, [Read More…]
• History 301: Community was entranced with Mrs. Moy Kee
  Mrs. and Mr. Moy Key, circa 1905.COURTESY THE INDIANA ALBUM By CONNIE ZEIGLER / Contributing editor The following report quotes historic sources which may use terms considered offensive today. For accuracy these quotes were not altered. For almost [Read More…]
• The strange case of Wacker v. Wacker: Part II
  The house which still stands on Riverside Drive was new when the Wackers moved into it in 1899. By CONNIE ZEIGLER, Contributing editor In 1900, August Wacker filed a court case against his wife, Louise, in Marion Circuit Court requesting that, [Read More…]
• The strange case of Wacker v. Wacker
  August Wacker worked to have his wife declared insane. By CONNIE ZEIGLER, Contributing editor In March 1903 the Indianapolis Journal reported the “pathetic circumstances” of a man named August Wacker, who was seeking a judgement by the Circuit Court [Read More…]
• History 301: Thanksgiving’s evolution to our modern holiday
  In 1965, first-grade students at School 42 depict the first Thanksgiving.INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY By CONNIE ZEIGLER, Contributing editor It’s almost time for Thanksgiving. As we celebrate the holiday we become part of an ancient tradition. Long [Read More…]
• History 301: City didn’t make much of an impression on Wilde
  Oscar Wilde was known for his flamboyant sartorial style. The following story was published in the August 2021 print issue of Urban Times By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor Over the years, Indianapolis has been infatuated with Oscar Wilde. For [Read More…]
• New Monument Circle Penney’s packed ’em in
  A J.C. Penney Co. building replaced the English Hotel/Opera House in 1951. Nathaniel Owings, formerly of Indianapolis, designed it.Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor It really did happen one [Read More…]
• Going to the dogs: When the city went all out
  In this 1932 photo, Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Voorhees of Fort Wayne prepare their Beagle for the State Fair Dog Show. PHOTO CREDIT: INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor In July 1922, Indianapolis reached a new high-water mark in [Read More…]
• History 301: The tumultuous life and career of Frances Farmer
  Frances Farmer with her third husband, Lee Mikesell (right). She married and divorced Mikesell in 1958. By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor Indianapolis movie and theater actress, television host, interior decorator and shopkeeper, Frances Farmer, [Read More…]
• History 301: Bruce Rogers was a preeminent book designer
  Bruce Rogers got his professional start in Indianapolis.John Fass Collection of Bruce Rogers Ephemera. By Connie Zeigler Contributing editor Did you know that Bruce Rogers, considered the modern world’s most important book designer – whose [Read More…]
• Indy architect unknown here, but not around world
  From Commercial Article 13: A smiling Jan Ruhtenberg in a family snapshot, circa 1970.Photo courtesy of: Vess Ruhtenberg By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor In 1969 one of the once-most-respected architects of European modernism moved to [Read More…]
• History 301: An ‘it’ couple who left a very big impression
  Rembrandt “Brandt” SteeleINDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY M1078 By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor Helen McKay Steele and her    husband, Rembrandt “Brandt” Steele, were the artsy “It” couple of Indianapolis in the early years of the [Read More…]
• Before Purdue Polytechnic, before P.R. Mallory, there was Wonderland Amusement Park
  This postcard shows visitors strolling around the lagoon which served Wonderland’s Shoot-the-Shoots flume ride. this is an updated version of a feature which appeared in the May 2010 edition of Urban Times. By Connie Zeigler Contributing [Read More…]
• The rest of the story: Wirt’s famed son-in-law
  Alpha with Louis Armstrong.courtesy of the Louis Armstrong House Museum August’s installment of History 301 about the city’s first Black pharmacist, Wirt Smith, ended with the surprising news that his daughter, Alpha, married the famous jazz [Read More…]
• History 301: Wirt Smith (who?) was an Indianapolis trailblazer
  For historical accuracy, this report contains terminology which newspapers of the time period used to describe African Americans. By CONNIE ZEIGLER, Contributing editor This is the story of Wirt Smith. Wirt Smith was a Black man and because of that [Read More…]
• History 301 – Madelyn Pugh: Writing the funny words for ‘I Love Lucy’
  Madelyn Pugh was very active in Shortridge High School activities. By CONNIE ZEIGLER Contributing editor For six years in the 1950s the name of former Shortridge High School student Madelyn Pugh was in 11 million homes every week, thanks to the [Read More…]