Article Archives: Bumps in the Night

Washington Irving — Father Christmas?

December 10, 2020 | by Al Hunter

This column originally appeared in December 2010. While nearly everyone is familiar with Dickens’ classic seasonal ghost story, A Christmas Carol, not many have experienced the magic of a Washington Irving Christmas tale. Although Irving lived a portion of his life as a European vagabond meticulously chronicling the customs, traditions … Read More

Saving Landmark Legacy Signs

December 3, 2020 | by Al Hunter

Al is feeling a little under the weather. He will complete Part 2 of his Walt Disney story as soon as possible, but in the meantime, we’ve pulled this column from December 2011. All along the Historic National Road on Indianapolis’ eastside, theaters, restaurants, motels, car lots, and store signs … Read More

Walt Disney Mustache Forbidden

November 26, 2020 | by Al Hunter

Regardless of the fact that in almost every picture of Walt Disney, apart from childhood and adolescent photographs, he is seen wearing a mustache, Disney banned his theme park employees from growing facial hair (or long hair for that matter). This rule remained in place long after Uncle Walt passed … Read More

Polio

November 19, 2020 | by Al Hunter

Al is on vacation. This column was first published in November of 2012. It is the summer of 1916; Boys Scouts of America are formed, U.S. troops under General “Black Jack” Pershing invade Mexico chasing revolutionary Pancho Villa, Coca-Cola brings the current Coke formula to market, Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower marries … Read More

The National Horse Thief Detective Association, Part 2

November 12, 2020 | by Al Hunter

The southern Indiana town of Warren, a stop on the route of the Indianapolis & Ft. Wayne Railroad in Huntington County, had one of the first local Horse Thief Detective Association chapters. The town’s story typifies why a HTDA chapter was needed. Warren had a race track that drew horses … Read More