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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: June 2-8
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, June 3: Noting the presence of the military training camp at Ft. Harrison, Mayor Bell addressed the police department at a general roll call saying that it was his aim to make Indianapolis clean of all vice which might tend to destroy the moral standards … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: June 2-8
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, June 5: City Court Judge James Derry had some pointed comments yesterday regarding the handling of prisoners by Indianapolis police. When an African American man appeared in court with a swollen face and bandaged head, the judge learned the man had been beaten when he … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: May 26-June 1
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, June 1: Anti-conscription agitation in Indianapolis today became the object of investigation by the United States Marshal and agents of the Secret Service and the Department of Justice. Many reports of anti-draft activities were investigated during the day, but no arrests were made. A wary … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 26-June 1
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, May 31: Tests recently made, at the request of the state board of accounts, by Purdue University on samples of road oils and road surfacing materials for which contracts have been let by the Marion County Commissioners for work on county roads indicate the oils … Read More
You Can’t Tell A Building By Its Location
“Hey, that must be the old train station,” walkers, bikers, others who traverse the Pennsy Trail are often heard saying as they pass by the building at the east end of Bonna Ave. at its intersection with Good Ave. A quick look around might seem to confirm this assumption – … Read More