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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
100 Years Ago This Week: May 4-10
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, May 7: The city council unanimously voted to make Indianapolis a “fireproof city.” Mayor Charles Jewett asked for the ordinance which establishes an “efficient, standardized system of fire prevention” with the creation of a fire prevention bureau operating as a division of the city building … Read More
A Little Teed Off
I’m a father of two daughters, and like most fathers I thought that it would be OK if they began dating at age thirty. My practical and wise spouse had a better plan; she bought Putt-Putt miniature golf season passes so when the question, “Well, what do you want to … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 27-May 3
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, April 27: Taking as its membership campaign slogan the words of Lincoln, “All men up and no man down,” two hundred workers of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will canvass schools, churches and civic organizations in the … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: April 27-May 3
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, April 27: Clad in blue and white checked bloomer suits and sporting the sauciest kind of cap to match, the 125 young women employed at the Nordyke & Marmon aviation factory are seated at tables inspecting connecting rods, cylinders, rocker arms, and other parts of … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: April 20-26
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, April 24: Indianapolis will become a recruiting center for army engineer units according to orders received by Major Thomas Ryan of the local recruiting station. A total of 6,160 men will form the following units at Ft. Harrison: 44th and 48th railway maintenance of way … Read More