-
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: May 16-22
From The Indianapolis Times, Friday, May 15, 1925: D. C. Stephenson, Earl Gentry, and Earl Klinck will go on trial in Marion County criminal court, Tuesday, June 2, for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer (a change of venue to Hamilton County Circuit Court delayed the trial). Before a crowded courtroom … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 9-15
From The Indianapolis Times, Friday, May 15, 1925: D. C. Stephenson, Earl Gentry, and Earl Klinck will go on trial in Marion County criminal court, Tuesday, June 2, for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer (a change of venue to Hamilton County Circuit Court delayed the trial). Before a crowded courtroom … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 2-8
From The Indianapolis Times, Saturday, May 2, 1925: “Every precaution will be taken to prevent the issuance of permits to carry revolvers to irresponsible persons,” Marion County clerk Albert Losche said today. Pursuant to a recent law, applications to obtain permits to carry firearms will be available from the county … Read More
A Dying Declaration
As thousands prepared for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in downtown Indianapolis, a tall, dark brown-haired man of medium build with light blue eyes carrying a medical bag ascended the steps of an Irvington home shortly before noon on Tuesday, March 17, 1925, and crossing the porch, rang the … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 25-May 1
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, April 29, 1925: The Wright “bone dry” law, one of 218 laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, went into effect late yesterday. Indianapolis police and Indiana Federal prohibition agents have been instructed to rigidly enforce the provisions of the law which … Read More