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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
Indy’s Great Fires
Last month televised news showed images of the devastating wildfires sweeping across the northern suburbs of Los Angeles County, California, leaving whole neighborhoods in ashes. My cousin’s home in Sunset Hollywood Hills was spared as flames raged ten minutes away. Some of his friends lost their homes and familiar streetscapes … Read More
100 Years Ago: Feb. 28-March 6
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, March 5, 1925: WFBM, the Merchants Heat & Light Co radio station, will formally begin broadcasting at 6:30 tonight with a special program transmitted remotely from the Indianapolis Athletic Club. The program will include selections by the Gus C. Edwards orchestra, playing for the club’s … Read More
100 Years Ago: Feb. 21-26
From The Indianapolis Times, Friday, February 27, 1925: Because of promises by Republican political boss D. C. Stephenson, Indiana Democratic state senators are back in their seats after bolting to Dayton, Ohio over a gerrymander bill that would have made the second Congressional District safely Republican. Their action denied a … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Feb. 14-20
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, February 19, 1925: The state fairground Exposition Building has ample room for the crowds expected to attend the state basketball finals next month without the crowding of aisles and passageways according to authorities. This determination was expressed following a statement issued yesterday to high school … Read More
100 Years Ago: Feb. 7-13
From The Indianapolis Times, Thursday, February 12, 1925: The lack of a suitable memorial to Abraham Lincoln in Indianapolis was today, the anniversary of his birth, occasion for discussion of the late Henry C. Long’s bequest of $10,000 (2023: $181,770) to the city for a memorial to the Great Emancipator. … Read More