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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: Feb. 14-21
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, February 17, 1914: It was an industrious householder who had the snow cleared from the sidewalk in front of his premises today, before the policeman on the beat appeared in the neighborhood to spread the glad news that an 1899 city ordinance requiring the removal … Read More
100 Years Ago this Week: Feb. 7-14
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, February 7, 1914: North side citizens have formed an alliance in response to the series of burglaries that have been occurring in their part of the city. When a homeowner hears a noise indicating a burglar is at work, the homeowner arms himself and telephones … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Jan. 31-Feb. 7
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, February 4, 1914: Miss Della Brown, of the Church Federation, addressed the local Council of Women yesterday on vice conditions in Indianapolis. In plain language she told of the menace of the picture shows and their demoralizing effect to children, and of the city’s 670 … Read More
Civil War Anniversary: January 1864
A driving snow storm and chilling temperatures dipping to 20 degrees below zero ushered in the New Year. The sentries at Camp Morton watching over the 3,000 prisoners quartered in barracks furnished with stoves and wood, along with several soldiers at Camp Carrington, Camp Shanks, and Camp Fremont “suffered terribly” from … Read More
100 Years Ago this Week: Jan. 24-31
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, January 24, 1914: As the 400 members of the police department and the 330 members of the fire department go about their daily work, they have a feeling of security against disability and old age on account of the pension funds of the departments. Yet, … Read More