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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: Oct. 8-14
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, October 11, 1921: The word “Go” flashed by a mammoth electric sign atop the Merchants National Bank Building and the blowing of factory whistles across Indianapolis announced the opening of the great Industrial Exposition yesterday evening at the Manufacturers’ Building on the fairgrounds. More than … Read More
100 Years Ago: Oct. 1-7
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, October 5, 1921: The practice of school boys “flagging” passing automobiles for rides to and from school has resulted in many complaints, and motorcycle police stationed near public schools will be instructed to discourage the practice. Monroe E. Noblet, secretary of the Hoosier Motor Club, … Read More
Indiana’s Pioneer Highway
A few weeks ago, I was going out I-74 on my way to the Chicken Inn in Shelbyville when traffic slowed and came to an abrupt halt due to construction. After sitting for what my stomach thought was well past dinner time and approaching supper, the traffic began to move, … Read More
100 Years Ago: Sept. 24-30
One Hundred Years Ago – From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, September 29, 1921: Thousands of citizens lined Indianapolis streets yesterday afternoon watching 10,000 heroes of the Civil War march jauntily in the parade of the 55th encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. A mounted police escort, a fife … Read More
100 Years Ago: Sept. 17-23
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, September 19, 1921: This week’s “Walk Right, Drive Right” campaign for the elimination of street mishaps began today. Finding that many accidents are caused by faulty brakes and signals, the board of public safety has detailed ten police officers at sites around Indianapolis to test … Read More