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Author Biography
Steven R. Barnett is Executive Director at the Irvington Historical Society.
Steve Barnett was raised in Irvington. Steve attended School #57, Howe High School (’63), and received a degree from Purdue University (’70). He served in the Indiana National Guard. After a brief hiatus from Irvington, Steve returned to his home town in 1977 with his wife Sue so their three children could grow up in a family friendly environment.
Steve had the good fortune of working with U. S. Representative Andy Jacobs, Jr. and U. S. Representative Julia Carson in the Indianapolis Congressional District Office helping constituents.
After his retirement, Steve became the executive director of the Irvington Historical Society and curator of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center until 2025. Steve was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Wallace G. Wilkinson for service to veterans, and he was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Joseph Kernan for service to Indiana. In 2016, Steve was named Marion County Historian.
Steven R. Barnett’s Story Archive
Fresh Air Camps
The burning heat of summer arrived early in 1890 Indianapolis. By the end of June, the heat wave had taken the lives of 37 people, including 22 children under the age of two years. To ease the suffocating heat impacting the health of children, especially those from poor neighborhoods, Rev. … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 21-27
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, August 23, 1926: Six bicycle teams, two youthful cyclists each, will compete in the third annual Irvington race. The fifteen-mile contest will take place on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Irvington Speedway, 5750 Hibben Ave. The track, banked on a forty-five-degree curve, was built … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 14-20
From The Indianapolis Times, Thursday, August 19, 1926: The police have started a campaign against “jay walking” in an effort to decrease the fast-growing death toll among pedestrian who fail to observe traffic regulations Inspector Lester Jones, of the traffic division, announced today. Four men and one woman were arrested … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 7-13
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, August 11, 1926: Twenty-five hundred persons gathered last night on the lawn of the Prest-O-Lite Co to celebrate the recent incorporation of the town of Speedway and to hear from candidates vying for various town offices. The lawn was decorated with lanterns, refreshment booths served … Read More
Roundhouses
In recent months the people of the Martindale-Brightwood community have spoken out loud and clear about their desire not to have a data center located in their neighborhood. Despite their protestations about the data center affecting air quality and being noisy, Indianapolis civic leaders approved the development. Sadly, Martindale-Brightwood has … Read More