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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
Fidelity Farm Transformed
“What’s going on with all those trucks?” is a question that I often hear in connection with the row upon row of semis filling the lots at the old International Harvester (Navistar) facility along Brookville Road at Ritter Avenue. Once the production site for International truck engines, today only about … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Feb. 26-March 3
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, March 1: An ordinance is being prepared to provide for the clarification and pasteurization of all milk sold in Indianapolis. Dr. Herman G. Morgan, city board of health secretary, says the measure will revolutionize the present distribution of milk and milk products to the consumer. … Read More
World War 1 100 Years Ago: Feb. 26-March 3
Representatives of European nations are negotiating contracts with food manufacturers in Indianapolis and vicinity to supply canned meats and vegetables for consumption by the Allied forces in the trenches of France and Flanders. If the contracts are signed, as expected, Indianapolis will become one of the largest food supply points … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Feb. 19-26
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, February 21: “Indiana Home Products Day” will be observed today and tomorrow in Indianapolis and other Hoosier cities and towns. The variety and superiority of Indiana foods and manufactured articles will be celebrated at eight luncheons and dinners in Indianapolis where speakers will stress that … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Feb. 19-26
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, February 25: It was announced at the annual inspection of Company A, Signal Corps, Indiana National Guard that Indianapolis aviator and balloon manufacturer Captain George L. Bumbaugh has offered the use of a regulation aeroplane to the signal corps. If Gov. Ralston approves establishing an … Read More