Article Archives: Building Blocks

Building Blocks is a monthly feature by historian Steve Barnett about historic properties on the east side of Indianapolis.

Good news of youth

September 27, 2018 | by Steven R. Barnett

High school; yes, those were the days. For most of us, memories of this time in our life were captured in the yearbooks that we scurried around on the last day of school to secure autographs of our classmates and teachers. Today, most of these receptacles of our “precious memories” … Read More

Dignified, Yet Newsy

August 23, 2018 | by Steven R. Barnett

Today, we text and tweet. A student told me Facebook is for grandparents, and if you want to get your message out use Instagram. She also said if the phone rings, it’s not “Hello,” but “Who died?” The contemporary world is all about instant news. However, there remains a few … Read More

Pioneers & Veterans

July 26, 2018 | by Steven R. Barnett

While summer is not the only time of year for events benefiting charities, hardly a weekend passes during the season without a walk or run or a bike (pedal or motorized) ride. Even an occasional neighborhood lemonade stand appears. Whether it’s an event organized by hundreds and involving thousands or … Read More

Can the Kaiser

June 21, 2018 | by Steven R. Barnett

Today’s passion for urban gardening began in the months leading up to America’s entry into World War I when preparedness was the watchword and various measures were being taken for food conservation. One was “promoting the general cultivation of vacant lots,” and locally the Indianapolis News editorially recognized “the city … Read More

Ah-ooga-ooga!

May 24, 2018 | by Steven R. Barnett

The automobile has played an important part in my life; in fact, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the automobile. If your mind is wondering, no, I don’t mean that. In the summer of 1940 while Nazi tanks were racing across France, my mom to be, Henrietta Dickinson, … Read More