Article Archives: Building Blocks

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

The Old Swimmin’ Hole

July 27, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley captured the essence of every boy’s adventure on a hot summer’s day when he penned the lines: Oh! the old swimmin’-hole! In the long, lazy days… How plesant was the jurney down the old dusty lane, Where the tracks of our bare feet was all … Read More

Land of the Lost

June 22, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

When I was in grade school during the ‘50s studying Indiana history, my teacher told the class that “Indiana was named for the Indians who lived here; but that no Indians live here today.” At that time, except for a few place names memorializing tribes like Miami, Delaware, and Potawatomi, … Read More

The Irvington Group

May 25, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

Indy’s art scene today is vibrant. Numerous venues exhibit the works of many local artists and local galleries give patrons an opportunity to add contemporary and vintage art to their collections. Public art may be seen in the city’s open spaces and on the walls of buildings large and small. … Read More

Camp McClellan

April 27, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

While the joyous celebrations of Easter were quickly fading into memory, the promise of Spring with the burst of blooms in orchards, the budding of trees, and the carpet of wildflowers in the woodlands continued to lift the spirits when the Crisis finally broke on April 12, 1861 with South … Read More

Nature Calls

March 23, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

You’re on the go and nature calls — where to go to go? That is the question. More than a century ago a newspaper article observed, in all “American cities, practically no provision is made for ‘public comfort stations’ outside of saloons. Department stores provide these ‘for customers only.’ Hotels … Read More