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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
Butler College Romances
In the not-so-distant past, it was a popular perception that young women went to college to get a degree in teaching or an MRS. degree. Outside of teaching, there was little women could do with a college degree. Even women with law degrees were relegated to reading abstracts at law … Read More
100 Years Ago: June 28-July 2
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, June 28, 1924: Butler College received a hearty welcome to its new Fairview Park site this afternoon with hundreds of colorful banners, a procession of seven floats from north side churches and businesses, 100 automobiles carrying approximately 500 members of the Indianapolis Federation of Civic … Read More
100 Years Ago: June 21-27
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, June 21, 1924: Mayor Lew Shank announced today he will ask the next Indiana legislature to enact a law requiring all persons driving automobiles to pass an examination to obtain a driver’s license which could be revoked and the automobile impounded in cases of accidents … Read More
100 Years Ago: June 14-20
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, June 15, 1924: Few places in all Hoosierdom offer the joys awaiting the Boy Scouts of Indianapolis in old Camp Chank-Tun-Un-Gi (Camp Belzer). Wedged between Ft. Harrison and Buzzards Roost (Woollens Gardens) amid beautiful shadows of trees along the south bank of Fall Creek, Camp … Read More
100 Years Ago: June 7-13
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, June 10, 1924: Safety in school zones from the menace of the speeding motorist has been the theme of a campaign in the schools devised by the police department to throw arms of protection around the child compelled to cross the street on the way … Read More