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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: Dec. 2-8
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, December 7, 1922: There has been a noticeable decrease in motor car accidents as a result of the five days’ war against speeders. The deaths of two women by speeding automobiles prompted the crackdown. Mayor Lew Shank has promised a ride to the city prison … Read More
Ummmmm Good; A Sweet Story
For decades a popular office treat was an alligator. No, not the antediluvian reptile from the Southern swamps, but a coffeecake pastry filled with almond paste and iced with toasted almonds on the outside that was easily purchased with a quick stop at one of the many Roselyn Bakery stores. … Read More
100 Years Ago: Nov. 25-Dec. 1
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, November 29, 1922: In an effort to check a crime wave in the city, squads of detectives in automobiles, assisted by squads of plain clothes officers, continued the roundup today of “highjackers,” “bootleggers,” and suspicious characters that began yesterday following “cleanup” orders by Mayor Lew … Read More
100 Years Ago: Nov. 18-24
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, November 22, 1922: The Butler College board of directors, in a special meeting yesterday afternoon, unanimously decided to accept the site committee recommendations and exercise the option to buy Fairview Park from the Indianapolis Street Railway Co and move the college from Irvington to that … Read More
100 Years Ago: Nov. 11-17
From Aurora Magazine of Sigma Gamma Rho and Other Sources: Sunday, November 12, 1922: Seven young African American women educators met on the Irvington campus of Butler College to found Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. The Grand Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho was incorporated the following month under the laws of … Read More