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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
“At the sign of the Big Red Rooster”
Late last month there were news reports of a “gas war” between two south side Indianapolis stations, which reminded me of the “gas wars” of the late 1950s and early 1960s. In those days of black and white television and “duck and cover,” a gallon of fuel was 21.9ȼ which … Read More
100 Years Ago: July 28-Aug. 3
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, July 29: Mars Hill residents have formed a vigilance committee under the auspices of the Patriotic Gardeners Association in response to garden thieves who have been reaping a crisp harvest from the gardens in the area. Potatoes by the bushel have been dug up, beans … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: July 28-Aug. 3
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, August 2: The drafting of men for the new national army begins in Indianapolis this morning at 8:00 a.m. when the first call of 282 local men appear for their physical test. Examinations will be conducted at School No. 3, 23 N. Rural and at … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: July 21-27
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, July 26: Today begins the three day canvass for Sympathy Saturday to raise funds to send sick and weak children to the Summer Mission camp at Fairview Park. This campaign combines into a single appeal under the auspices of the Children’s Aid Association’s Pure Milk … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: July 21-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, July 21: The last fated number of the great selective draft lottery was drawn this morning in Washington at 1:18 a.m. Indianapolis time. The national conscript army will consist of 687,000 men, with Indiana’s share being 17,510 men. For those whose numbers were drawn, there … Read More