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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 15-21
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, April 21: Nine of the sixty Indianapolis public schools are unsafe and insanitary according to a report made public by buildings commissioner Jacob H. Hilkene. In examining the schools from cellars to attics, many deplorable conditions were found especially with the boys’ and girls’ washrooms … Read More
World War 1 100 Years Ago: April 15-21
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, April 20: Presidents of Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Notre Dame have enthusiastically responded to the invitation of the Citizens’ Training Camp Bureau to co-operate in the organization of three camps to be held at Ft. Benjamin Harrison beginning July 6. Also, … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: April 8-14
From The Indianapolis Times, Monday, April 10: The Irvington business district is “dolled up” this week in green and white, because merchants of that thriving section of the city decided to have a “Buy-It-In-Irvington Week.” All stores are decorated in the colors chosen by the Irvington Business Men’s Association, and special … Read More
World War 1 100 Years Ago: April 8-14
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, April 13: All persons interested in saving Battery A and keeping Indianapolis on the map in military affairs are urged to attend a mass meeting at the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow night. The War Department has ordered Battery A mustered out effective April 30 because of “a … Read More
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