Article Archives: Building Blocks

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

The Color of Art

November 23, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

Indianapolis has a rich history of visual arts. The city’s cultural heritage has been enriched from the early days of settlement when German immigrant Samuel Rooker painted the city’s first signs and artist Jacob Cox painted portraits of leading citizens and the surrounding landscape. Later, the Hoosier Group artists — … Read More

Irvington October Tales

October 26, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

Many consider Irvington to be the most haunted place in central Indiana. Certainly, during the month of October the Classic Suburb may live up to that reputation with its over-the-top celebration of Halloween. Homes are decorated, spooky stories are told, hundreds go on the ghost walk tours, and thousands attend … Read More

Find a Marker

September 21, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

Indianapolis is a city of monuments. From the Soldier and Sailors Monument in the center of the city to wayside markers commemorating some person or event, Indianapolis remembers. Many of the markers scattered about Indianapolis were erected by the Indiana Historical Bureau. To date, more than one hundred of these … Read More

Civil War Camps

August 24, 2023 | by Steven R. Barnett

Out along Cold Spring Rd. in a wooded area at the south end of Riverside Park, trees conceal a ten-ton granite boulder precariously placed atop a stone base sitting on the bluff overlooking White River. Imbedded in this glacial rock is an aging bronze plaque commemorating Camp Robinson, a Civil … Read More

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