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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: April 1-7
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, April 6: The Pennsylvania Railroad Company announced yesterday that a new rail yard and shop system will be installed on a site south of Irvington between Sherman Drive and Arlington Avenue. The plan will involve the use of sixty miles of rails and the yards … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: April 1-7
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, April 4: Never before in years gone by has the monotone cry of the rag man for rags and old paper had such a significant twang. The European war has wrought havoc with wood pulp and linen rag importations from across the seas and as … Read More
EASTGATE: Suburban Main Street
Today it’s simply “THE ROC,” a two-story massive windowless white-painted stone sprawl surrounded by an asphalt parking lot, an array of solar panels, and a low, gray cement block perimeter wall. The Regional Operations Center (ROC) is the home of the Indianapolis Homeland Security Department and its state-of-the-art security equipment … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: March 25-31
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, March 28: A delegation of fifty men and women from Irvington appeared before the board of public works and protested against the recent action of the board in ordering the Indianapolis Traction & Terminal Co to decrease the number of street cars operated south of … Read More
World War 1 100 Years Ago: March 25-31
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, March 28: The widespread enthusiasm for preparedness has affected Indianapolis school boys. Fifty students at Manual, Shortridge and Tech High Schools and the Brooks School for Boys have formed a cadet corps and will drill for an hour and a half every Wednesday afternoon at … Read More