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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
World War I 100 Years Ago: March 9-15
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, March 12: “Deeply regret to inform you that Corporal Ralph R. Flora, infantry, is officially reported killed in action March 8.” This brief message, received late yesterday by Ellis and Rebekah Flora, 1616 E. Washington St, brought news of the first Indianapolis man in the … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 9-15
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, March 11: Carrying concealed weapons is one of the most dangerous practices with which the public has to contend, says George Coffin, chief of police. Under his instructions, police have arrested forty-one persons in the past two months each of whom was found to be … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 2-8
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, March 8: While discussing plans to develop the remaining eight acres of Greenlawn Cemetery into a park, members of the board of park commissioners learned yesterday that some Confederate graves had been forgotten. An 1894 ordinance instructed the board of public works and the board … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: March 2-8
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, March 2: A military recital to benefit the African American band of the 317th Engineer Regiment, of Camp Sherman, Ohio will be given at Caleb Mills Hall, southeast corner of Pennsylvania and North Streets, Monday evening under the auspices of the choir of Allen Chapel, … Read More
Ante Up
Happily tossing three coins in a Roman fountain may be romantic and putting another nickel in the nickelodeon, as the old song says, may bring love and “music, music, music,” but grudgingly travelers ante up for the daily privilege of driving many of the roadways across the good ol’ U. … Read More