-
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: Jan. 6-12
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, January 10, 1923: Mayor Lew Shank proposes acquiring two or more German police dogs, direct from Germany, to do police work in Indianapolis. Dogs could be taught to ascertain at a sniff that a “bootlegger” has a hip flask or to distinguish from afar the … Read More
Let There Be Light
One of the great pleasures of the holiday season is driving around the city and seeing all the joyful outdoor lights. From the few gleaming strands of multi-colored bulbs suspended beneath the eaves of a house to the soaring brilliance of incandescent globes hanging on cables of the “world’s tallest … Read More
One Hundred Years Ago: Dec. 23-Jan. 5
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, December 28, 1922: More than 100 produce standholders and city market outdoor concessionaires will be limited to the curbs surrounding the Marion County Courthouse after January 1, according to an order posted by the board of county commissioners yesterday. The spaces occupied every Tuesday, Thursday, … Read More
100 Years Ago: Dec. 16-22
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, December 20, 1922: Santa Claus will begin work early and stay on the job overtime in Indianapolis this Christmas season. Community Christmas entertainments, with a tree and with candy and presents for all the children, will be held at each of the thirty-one fire stations … Read More
100 Years Ago: Dec. 9-15
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, December 13, 1922: Despite vigorous protest by a large delegation of colored citizens against the establishment of a separate high school for colored pupils, the Indianapolis board of school commissioners voted unanimously last night to include such a building in the high school construction program. … Read More