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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
The Civil War 150th Anniversary: April 1864
The health of the city “is improving and the general health may now be considered good.” During the winter, there was “a large amount of sickness” — congestion, spotted fever, and small-pox — some fatal. Prevalent now, mostly among the soldiers in the camps, is typhoid pneumonia and inflammatory rheumatism. … Read More
100 Years Ago this Week: April 18-25
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, April 19, 1914: Indianapolis is war mad after passage of Congressional resolutions justifying the President in using armed force “to enforce his demands for unequivocal amends for affronts and indignities committed against the United States in Mexico” following the arrest of American bluejackets at Tampico … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: April 11-18
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, April 15, 1914: Yesterday, the Board of County Commissioners reduced the number of Center Township justices of the peace and constables to be elected next fall from five each to four each. It was discovered that there were more offices to be filled by the … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: April 4-11
From The Indianapolis Sun, Tuesday, April 7, 1914: Tomlinson Hall has been converted into a true art gallery for the Eastman Kodak Company’s touring exhibition of amateur photography from all over the world that opened last evening. The show is the largest collection of amateur work ever assembled and is … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: March 21-28
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, March 26, 1914: Mayor Joseph Bell told the board of public safety that gasoline pumps constructed on sidewalks are “just jumping up like mushrooms” in all parts of the city. Owners of garages and other businesses are violating the city’s building ordinance by installing gasoline … Read More