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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
World War I 100 Years Ago: Oct. 6-13
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, October 9, 1916: The War Department instituted today the most vigorous campaign ever conducted for recruits to the United States Army, except in time of war, to increase its peace-time strength from 130,000 men to 216,000 men. Accounting for men leaving the service, it is … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 30-Oct. 6
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, October 1, 1916: Beginning tomorrow and continuing for the next two weeks the people of Indiana will celebrate the Hoosier statehood centennial. Indianapolis will host the great occasion which will be an immense reunion of all Hoosiers from around the state and beyond. Dramatic and … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept. 30-Oct. 6
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, October 2, 1916: Fred Van Nuys arrived in Indianapolis last night from the military camp at Llano Grande, Texas where he had gone to register voters among the Indiana National Guard members. The Democratic state committee sent Van Nuys to the border and Gen. Lewis, … Read More
When It’s Gone, It’s Gone Forever
For almost 90 years, storefronts at the northwest corner of Emerson Avenue and East 10th Street offered the surrounding community services from groceries to pharmaceuticals; from a haircut and a perm to family dining. Today, all that remains of a once vibrant commercial strip is a truncated site. Indianapolis realtor … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept/ 23-29
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, September 28, 1916: Both of Indiana’s political parties are discussing the question of bringing back Indiana guardsmen from the Mexican border to vote in the November election. How this may be done has not been resolved. Registration forms have been sent to the soldiers by … Read More