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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
When It’s Gone, It’s Gone Forever
For almost 90 years, storefronts at the northwest corner of Emerson Avenue and East 10th Street offered the surrounding community services from groceries to pharmaceuticals; from a haircut and a perm to family dining. Today, all that remains of a once vibrant commercial strip is a truncated site. Indianapolis realtor … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept/ 23-29
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, September 28, 1916: Both of Indiana’s political parties are discussing the question of bringing back Indiana guardsmen from the Mexican border to vote in the November election. How this may be done has not been resolved. Registration forms have been sent to the soldiers by … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 23-29
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, September 28, 1916: Fires swept by high winds destroyed four new houses on North Sheridan Avenue in Irvington yesterday, and nine other houses were destroyed by fire on North Elder Avenue in Haughville. By the time the Irvington fire company responded to the Sheridan Avenue … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 16-22
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, September 18, 1916: Indiana University will offer extension courses in Indianapolis beginning October 9. The state university has adopted a definite policy of serving the people of Indiana who cannot go to Bloomington without in any way weakening its standards of scholarship. A wide range … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept 16-22
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, September 18, 1916: Battery B, Indiana National Guard – the Purdue University unit – has returned to Ft. Harrison from the camp at Llano Grande, Texas. Boys who went to the border pale-faced and barely able to pass the physical test have returned all safe … Read More