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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: April 10-16
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, April 12, 1920: Railroad freight traffic has been practically at a standstill since Saturday when 2,300 switchmen, switch tenders and yardmen in Indianapolis yards organized the Indianapolis Yardmen’s Association No. 19 and joined the unauthorized national strike in demanding an eight-hour day and time and … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 3-9
From The Indianapolis Times, Saturday, April 3, 1920: Reports of graft, cruelty and incompetency in the management of the Marion County jail have stirred-up women’s clubs, and prominent women have expressed the opinion that the jail’s woman’s department needs a “housecleaning” along with other jail departments. Hester M. Hart (Mrs. … Read More
Roadhouses and Blind Tigers
My parents lived with my dad’s parents following the Second World War because of the housing shortage, and being the only endearing grandson in the household I enjoyed being spoiled. My grandfather frequently took me for walks around the block, and when he would head out the back door of … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 27-April 2
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, March 30, 1920: An enthusiastic gathering last night at Tomlinson Hall of legionaries and citizens of Indianapolis formally welcomed the American Legion and its national headquarters to Indiana and Indianapolis. Mayor Charles Jewett, in extending the city’s welcome, said, “I believe that Indianapolis was selected … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 20-26
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, March 23, 1920: “Save- Money-on-Meat” week began today with plate boiling beef being offered at 10 to 15 cents a pound ( $1.29-$1.94 in 2020) while porterhouse sold from 30 to 55 cents a pound ($3.88-$7.11 in 2020) . Stanley Wyckoff, Indiana fair price commissioner, … Read More