Article Archives: Building Blocks

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

Hey, Where ‘Ya From?: Part 2

July 24, 2025 | by Steven R. Barnett

Four hundred years ago, my ninth great grandfather Thomas Blossom came to America with his family seeking religious liberty. One hundred years ago, my maternal grandfather Harold Dickinson came to America with his family seeking economic opportunities. Others had ancestors coming to America seeking security from persecution and other forms … Read More

Garages

May 22, 2025 | by Steven R. Barnett

It is said, “Necessity is the mother of invention” and in recent times as soon as the personal computer appeared, the laptop bag was created. Similarly, no sooner after the appearance of the smartphone, the selfie stick was developed. These are only simple contemporary examples of this truism. Much earlier, … Read More

A Dying Declaration

April 24, 2025 | by Steven R. Barnett

As thousands prepared for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in downtown Indianapolis, a tall, dark brown-haired man of medium build with light blue eyes carrying a medical bag ascended the steps of an Irvington home shortly before noon on Tuesday, March 17, 1925, and crossing the porch, rang the … Read More

Indy’s Great Fires Part 2

March 27, 2025 | by Steven R. Barnett

Fire often has held a peculiar fascination. Like a moth drawn to the flame, a crowd, too, is drawn toward glowing, leaping red-orange flames, whether from a bonfire or building inferno. Such was with the St. Patrick’s Day Bowen-Merrill Co conflagration. A few minutes after three o’clock the afternoon of … Read More

Indy’s Great Fires

February 27, 2025 | by Steven R. Barnett

Last month televised news showed images of the devastating wildfires sweeping across the northern suburbs of Los Angeles County, California, leaving whole neighborhoods in ashes. My cousin’s home in Sunset Hollywood Hills was spared as flames raged ten minutes away. Some of his friends lost their homes and familiar streetscapes … Read More