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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
The Old Inn
Today’s weary highway traveler has a choice of at least a couple or more lodgings near the off ramp. However, that was not the case for weary travelers on the National Road in the age of the stagecoach. From the early days when the National Road crossed Warren Township on … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 26-Sept. 1
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, August 30, 1922: As a strategic point in the Mid-West in event of a nation-wide railroad strike that interrupts the mail, the United States Post Office is making Indianapolis a distribution center for a large number of postal trucks. Over three hundred three-quarter ton army … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 19-25
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, August 21, 1922: Charles Lee, Flanner House superintendent, in his report to the directors said housing is one of the most acute problems confronting colored people in Indianapolis. A survey of housing conditions among white and colored poor families, found nothing among the worst homes … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 5-11
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, August 11, 1922: One of the greatest gatherings of swimming stars to assemble in the United States opened the three-day national swimming meet at the Broad Ripple Park pool yesterday with a crowd of spectators filling the grand stand and encircling the west end of … Read More
100 Years Ago: July 29-Aug. 4
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, August 1, 1922: A proposed zoning ordinance, prepared by the Indianapolis plan commission, divides areas of the city into five district classifications: U1 dwelling house, only residential buildings; U2 apartment, occupies the principal part of the north side and areas east and west of the … Read More