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The GAR, The Grand Army of the Republic, was founded in 1866 and was an organization made for Union veterans who served in the Civil War. There are a total of 592 GAR posts in Indiana, The Memorial Opera House being one of them. The house is still used for some of the same things it was when it was first built. They also had a lot of appearances of famous people on the stage in the building. Some of these people include President Theodore Roosevelt, John Philip Sousa, the Marx Brothers, Lowell Thomas, and other performers. The Times of Northwest talk about a lady named Beulah Bondy who performed on the stage when she was just 8 years old. She became and popular actress and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in “The Gorgeous Hussy”. She gave a donation when she came back home to Valparaiso to the Memorial Opera House to purchase new seating. The building is being renovated again so they can keep it as long as possible.

Doug Ross, “Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House celebrates 125 years”, February 19, 2020, The Times of Northwest,

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Steven R. Shook, “Porter County in the Civil War”, Porter County, Indiana

The Memorial Opera House, also known as Porter County Memorial Opera Hall, was built in 1893 and is such a big historical landmark because it was the meeting place of Chaplain Brown GAR Post No. 106. The building was originally dedicated to Porter County soldiers and sailors who died during the Civil War, but later was dedicated to every soldier. According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, “it was a popular spot for political rallies, concerts, lectures, plays and social events.” It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House

A tour of Hoosier history through the sites that mark our past

Monuments and Memories (v.2)

The Labyrinth of New Harmony was made by the Rappites in the nineteenth century for meditation. It is located on the main street south of town. The hedges in the shape of a maze was supposed to represent the issues in life, and completing the maze was symbolic to overcoming them. In 2008 a reconstruction was completed to restore the labyrinth to its original form based on archival information. New Harmony was a settlement that had two failed attempts at communal living and is an important cultural center today. From 1814-1825 the Harmonists under Reverend George Rapp tried to rule a religious utopia serving God and always doing right by faith. From 1825-1826, and the Owenites with philanthropist leader Robert Owen valued equality and labor for all inhabitants. Many disputes occurred about how the community should be run that led to the division of New Harmony into smaller groups. This community shows a socialist way of living does not succeed in the forming country with American individualistic ideals.

The Labyrinth of New Harmony was made by the Rappites in the nineteenth century for meditation. It is located on the main street south of town. The hedges in the shape of a maze was supposed to represent the issues in life, and completing the maze was symbolic to overcoming them. In 2008 a reconstruction was completed to restored the labyrinth to its original form based on archival information.

New Harmony: Indiana's First Utopia

On November 12th, 1912, the patriotic and proud members of Gibson County erected a memorial to honor all of the soldiers and sailors of Gibson County who risked their lives in the civil war. The Civil War Memorial in Princeton, Indiana honors 2,200 war participants who enlisted from 1861-1865 and the 500 who died fighting. The memorial is quite high with an upper and lower section. The upper section is engraved with the sites of Civil War battles such Gettysburg, Franklin, Resacca, Shiloh and Vicksburg to name a few. Then on the lower section of the memorial there is a panel that reads, "Erected 1912 by the Citizens of Gibson County, Indiana in honor of the valor and patriotism of the 2200 soldiers and sailors who enlisted from Gibson County in the Civil War of 1861 to 1865. A tribute to the memory of the 500 who the gave full measure of devotion to their country". The monument is a great way to remember and pay respect for those for fought in the war and those who died fighting.

In 1912, the patriotic and proud citizens of Gibson County founded a tall and well built memorial in the courthouse square of Princeton, Indiana. Princeton is located in very Southwest Indiana, close to Evansville and the memorial is a unique part of the of the town that attracts a lot of people to the courthouse square. 

Gibson County's Civil War Memorial 

Hornady Park is a popular place in Petersburg, Indiana to have family fun. It is a very open space with trees, a fishing pond, a pavilion and a playground. Two roads lead into the park so there is plenty of parking space for cars. It is a great place to enjoy good weather with your kids or significant other. This park hosts many events for townies to meet up including live music, and have Christmas lights in the winter. This place is essentially a central area for people in Petersburg to come together as a community. That is why it is important in Pike County. The park has been recently affected by COVID due to a spike in cases, so it has been closed. You may go there to socially distance though if you would like fresh air. <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/hornady-park-petersburg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.yelp.com/biz/hornady-park-petersburg</a>

Hornady Park is a popular place in Petersburg, Indiana to have family fun. It is a very open space with trees, a fishing pond, a pavilion and a playground. Two roads lead into the park so there is plenty of parking space for cars. It is a great place to enjoy good weather with your kids or significant other. 

Hornady Park 

Although far from the thick of the action, Indiana experienced battles and conflicts catalyzed by the Revolutionary War. Located on the Wabash River in Vincennes, Fort Sackville was a timber fort with the purpose of protecting the lands ceded by the French to the British. American Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark laid siege to the fort in February of 1779, successfully capturing it from the British with limited loss of lives. Nearly 150 years after the American Revolution, a surge of nationalism and pride occurred in the citizens of Vincennes. These citizens wished to commemorate the momentous victory of Clark. President Coolidge then established the Indiana George Rogers Clark Sesquicentennial Commission in May of 1928 with the focus of paying tribute to the achievements of Clark and the battle at Fort Sackville. 	The Clark Memorial is an immense, circular structure composed mainly of granite. Inscriptions line the outside of the monument with dates of the battle, birth, and death of Clark, as well as the commemoration of the memorial. Additionally, beautiful murals depicting the history of Indiana and the surrounding areas grace the rotunda’s walls. The historic virtues extolled by Rogers and his men left a lasting mark on Vincennes and the country leading to Congress’ declaration of the memorial as National Park in 1966.

In February of 1779, George Rogers Clark and a group of American soldiers captured Fort Sackville in Vincennes, Indiana from the British. The impressive Revolutionary war victory was a source of pride for the citizens of Vincennes, who urged the city and the federal government to memorialize the occasion. In 1928, President Coolidge established a commission to construct the memorial, with its completion in 1933. Still standing today, The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is a constant reminder of the pivotal history present in Indiana.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

The first facebook link is about a food program that is going on in Martin county. I found it interesting because it goes to show even if you live in a small town or county, your neighbors will still look out for you. I found it rather humbling and the program is called farmers to families where farmers grow the food and it goes to local families. The other link ties in because it has to do with coronavirus and how the county is facing this challenge. I think it is interesting because small towns likely have less resources but can focus on the root of the issues because they do have less people.

This courthouse in Martin County is the Seat for the county is an important historical marker for the entire county. I focused on the courthouse because it is a symbol of something that has remained as the years fly by and the times keep changing. There are some good stories about this courthouse too.

Shoals Courthouse

The concept for developing this square began in 1825 when a plan was created for the geographic location for this historic district. The courthouse is the centerpiece in this town square as it's surrounded by commercial buildings that would attract people. As mentioned earlier this town square is know for some of the architectural styles used on the buildings. These styles include greek revival, Italianate, romanesque revival, neoclassical, and some basic commercial styled architecture. Something else that is unique in the design to this town square is the layout and naming of streets. East to west streets are labelled numerically while north and south streets are in alphabetical order. The reasoning of this historic town square being located in Bedford is because of it's been the commercial and governmental center of Lawrence County leading up to the concept of this town square. From 1825 to 1945 Bedford was seen especially as a populous place and attracted many residents which also played a role in this town square getting its historical context.

Bedford Courthouse Square Historic District is a town square in downtown Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana. Developed over the course of a century from 1850 to around 1950 this historic district includes many architectural styles. The buildings surrounding the square include restaurants, retail stores, government buildings, and other local businesses. This historic district is also known for its monuments and historical facts that surround the square. 

Bedford Courthouse Square Historic District

In 2011, the Indiana Historical Bureau approved a historical marker for the site of the original IU (then known as Indiana Semnary) campus, which was established in 1820 at what is now South College Avenue, just south of Second Street. The marker suggests a long-delayed recognition of the importance of this historical moment in the life of IU and of the state more generally. The historical marker is little seen by Bloomington residents--its location places it in a city park that is widely perceived as a haven for people from around the region who are without a home of their own, and it is perched alongside a busy road down which motorists typically travel at 30 mph or faster, making identification of the sign's content impossible. No identifying features of the original IU campus remain on this site, most of which is occupied by either Seminary Park or the parking lot of a Kroger supermarket.

In 2011, the Indiana Historical Bureau approved a historical marker for the site of the original IU (then known as Indiana Semnary) campus, which was established in 1820 at what is now South College Avenue, just south of Second Street. The marker suggests a long-delayed recognition of the importance of this historical moment in the life of IU and of the state more generally.

Seminary Square Historical Marker

Memorialization at Camp Hughes went through three phases. In 1923, a man named L. R. Gray erected a roughly cut block of granite at the site with the words “IN MEMORIAM Died in Camp Hughes –1861-2.” An article from the Gosport Reporter in that same year mentioned that Gray intended to have a plaque attached, but that did not happen until 2008. In the meantime, the Indiana Civil War Centennial Commission put up their own marker in 1963, which looks much like many of the historical markers present in Indiana today. It reads: “Civil War training camp for the 59th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1861-62 was located one-half mile southwest of Gosport on White River. Named for former Indiana Congressman James Hughes.” Then, in 2008, another group – consisting of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a VFW organization, and a Civil War reenactment group – finally attached a plaque to Gray’s granite block memorial. The final plaque lists the name of the 12 men who died, including the 8 buried nearby. The original 8 markers for the dead listed the men as “unknown,” but it remains unclear why. Using microfilm from the Indiana State Archives, their names were easily identified in 2008 for the final plaque.          In his application for disability pension after the Civil War, Lieutenant James W. Archer wrote that the people of Gosport had welcomed the sick soldiers into their own homes in order to provide them better shelter from the cold winter developing outside. Archer also spoke about his own efforts in caring for the sick, which he undertook due to having contracted the measles in childhood (thus making him immune). After training at Camp Hughes that winter, the 59th next travelled to New Albany to report for active duty. The fact that 12 men failed to leave the camp alive without having ever seen battle illustrates how disease often became an invisible enemy to both sides during the Civil War. Close quarters, poor hygiene and diet, and an underdeveloped comprehension of medicine often made disease an even greater threat than the enemy army.

In the winter of 1861-1862, the 59th Indiana Volunteer Infantry trained to fight for the Union in the Civil War at Camp Hughes in Gosport, Indiana. A measles outbreak during the first two months of 1862 ended the lives of 12 men there, 8 of which were buried at the camp site. 

Camp Hughes in Gosport, Indiana: 1861-1862

This Indiana State Flag historical marker stands in downtown Mooresville. It tell the story of how the Indiana State flag was chosen. It explains that a century after Indiana’s statehood, we didn’t have a flag yet. They held a competition for the new flag, and an artist from Mooresville won the competition. The public didn’t accept recognize this as their official flag until the sesquicentennial in 1966.           When originally accepted by the Indiana General Assembly in 1917. All the objects on the flag are symbolic: “The torch stands for liberty and enlightenment and the rays show their far-reaching influence. The thirteen original states are represented by the outer circle of thirteen stars. The inner five stars represent the next five states to enter the union. The larger star above the torch signifies the nineteenth state – Indiana” (Indiana Historical Bureau). The only part of the flag that the General Assembly added was the name Indiana at the top of the flag.

This Indiana State Flag historical marker stands in downtown Mooresville. It tell the story of how the Indiana State flag was chosen. It explains that a century after Indiana’s statehood, we didn’t have a flag yet. They held a competition for the new flag, and an artist from Mooresville won the competition. The public didn’t accept recognize this as their official flag until the sesquicentennial in 1966.

Indiana State Flag Historical Marker

The library opened in 1902 and was funded by Andrew Carnegie, who was a Scottish-American who built over 2,500 libraries across the world. The one built in Crawfordsville was the first one built in Indiana. It celebrated its centennial birthday in 2002 and served as the public library until 2005 when it was converted into a museum. Andrew Carnegie had started funding the libraries in 1883 in his original birthplace of Scotland. He then expanded to his first library in the United States in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He originally donated 25,000 dollars to the Crawfordsville Library which would be about 775,000 dollars today. The public then maintained funding for the library.

The library opened in 1902 and was funded by Andrew Carnegie, who was a Scottish-American who built over 3,500 libraries across the world. The one built in Crawfordsville was the first one built in Indiana. It celebrated its centennial birthday in 2002 and served as the public library until 2005 when it was converted into a museum.

Crawfordsville Carnegie Library

Built in 1940, The Fowler Theatre in Benton County is considered a historic Indiana landmark by many. As with many older structures, the theatre was going to close down for good due to its poor, run-down condition. The Prairie Preservation Guild felt the theatre should be kept intact and restored for use again. With the help of the community and the organization, Indiana Landmarks, the theatre was restored and is in use again. Restoration of the Fowler theater took 14 years. The Prairie Preservation Guild and its volunteers helped with restoration. Everything from the roof to the doors and poster cases was restored. Now the theatre runs with the help of many volunteers who sell tickets, clean up after and during movies, make popcorn and do whatever else is needed to keep the theatre going. Much of the restoration was inspired by old photos of the theatre during its early years, which allows for the theatres special old-fashioned look that is reminiscent of the past.

Built in 1940, The Fowler Theatre in Benton County is considered a historic Indiana landmark by many. As with many older structures, the theatre was going to close down for good due to its poor, run-down condition. The Prairie Preservation Guild felt the theatre should be kept intact and restored for use again. With the help of the community and the organization, Indiana Landmarks, the theatre was restored and is in use again. 

Historic Fowler Theater 

This monument was installed sometime between 1882 and 1888 by Carroll County, Indiana in the southwestern corner of Carroll County Courthouse. The monument itself is a bronze sculpture on a granite base comprised of a tall shaft topped with a Civil War color bearer. The color bearer holds a furled flag at his proper left side in both hands.  This sculpture was erected by Carroll County to honor the Indiana soldiers and sailors who fought during the Civil War. The sculpture’s base depicts relief panels on each side to honor different soldiers at their respective battles. The sculptor was Rudolf Schwarz who also completed the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Indianapolis and likely drew influence from this for the Delphi piece. There is also debate on when the sculpture was erected with signs pointing to sometime in the 1880s.

This monument was installed sometime between 1882 and 1888 by Carroll County, Indiana in the southwestern corner of Carroll County Courthouse. The monument itself is a bronze sculpture on a granite base comprised of a tall shaft topped with a Civil War color bearer. The color bearer holds a furled flag at his proper left side in both hands. 

Soldiers and Sailors Monument Carroll County, IN

The monument is erected at a cemetery called Mount Hope Cemetery. It was created to remember the men that fought and died in the Civil War. This was to commemorate the people that fought for the union. It has a main pillar with a soldier in uniform holing the barrel of his rifle with a saber on his side. The monument is now 119 years old and was built in 1901. Recently in 2018 a company from Indianapolis was contracted to restore the monument. It had a thick Black coat of soot on it, this was due to the coal burning plants, factories and trains. The monument now looks almost brand new with its bright limestone.

The statue was built in 1901 and was erected to commemorate the fallen solders of the union in the civil war. The main focal point on the monument is a soldier in uniform holding the barrel of his rifle in one hand and a saber in the other. In 2018 it was covered with years of soot from the factories nearby. It had a restoration team restore it to the bright white limestone.

Cass County Soldiers and Sailors Monument

There were several public discussions about dedicating a monument to honor those who died in the wake of the Civil War. In place of a formal monument, the green space where the current monument stands was dedicated to honor all of the soldiers who did not survive the war and was adorned with crosses decorated with flowers. In 1916, a new monument costing $16,000 was approved. The monument fell into disrepair by the 1980s, but in 1992, the statue was repaired and subsequently rededicated in 1993.

The Steuben County Soldiers Monument honors the 240 local men who never returned from fighting in the American Civil War. The monument was dedicated in 1917 and remains one of the central features of Angola. The monument has a 17-foot bronze figure of Columbia, who symbolizes peace, atop a 50-foot granite base, with four bronze soldiers representing the navy, artillery, infantry, and cavalry, at the base of the monument.

Steuben County Soldiers Monument

This monument was used to honor the fallen soldiers in war, but was also use to ask for peace in the world. It also honored the women involved in the wars. The idea for the monument was started by local civic leader named French Quinn who called for a monument of peace in Decatur Daily and everyone jumped onto the idea of this. It has brass plaques with the names of 1276 war veterans on it. The county used a seven cent tax rate for every $100 earned to help raise the funds need to make the monument. Full time spent in terms of building it and placing it on the land was from 1912-1913 and was dedicated on October 30, 1913.

This monument was created by Chicago sculptor Charles Mulligan to honor all the veterans and fallen soldiers involved in the Civil War and World War 1. He had Margaret McMasters van Slyke pose for the center piece of the sculpture. This was the first statue of its kind that was dedicated to peace in the US as well. It was completed on October 30, 1913. 

Peace Monument (Decatur,IN)

Henry County is the birthplace of Wilbur Wright, one of the two brothers who designed, tested, and successfully flew the first airplane. This was one of the greatest achievements in the 20th century. Wilbur was born in 1867 between the two towns of Millville and Mooreland Indiana. The museum that commemorates their great achievements gives their visitors a chance to explore their original home, barn, and grounds in the town that Wilbur was born in. Also in the museum is a replica of the Wright Flyer airplane that Wilbur and Orville flew. This site is really fascinating especially to visit present day and see the difference in the airplane they flew and the airplanes that have advanced to what we have today. The Wright brothers really made an impact on the world, and it is so special to Indiana that we get to share this part of our history with Wilbur to others.

This county is very special because it holds the town of the birthplace of Wilbur Wright. He is the co-inventor of the airplane. His brother, Orville, is also a co-inventor. Near Millville, IN there is a museum to commemorate their amazing inventions and discoveries and allows visitors to see all of the history they have made. 


The Birthplace of Wilbur Wright - History Marker 

The Canal House in Connersville, IN was originally constructed to be an office for Canal administration and workers. However it eventually became much more than that. It was used to house canal workers at one point but eventually became a bank, veterinary hospital, and the private residence of one of the Connersville mayors. It is fitting as we just were talking about how important waterways were during this time when it was built in 1843. The White Water Canal company purchased the lot in 1843 and then 5 years later sold about half the lot for only $500 less than it originally bought the ENTIRE lot for. Huge flooding problems in 1848 ended the company and therefore their ownership of the Canal House. In 1971, Historic Connersville, Inc. bought the Canal house and began to renovate it and to turn it into a museum which is what it stands as today.

The Canal House in Connersville, IN was originally constructed to be an office for Canal administration and workers. However it eventually became much more than that. It was used to house canal workers at one point and it also eventually became a bank, veterinary hospital, and the private residence of one of the Connersville mayors.

Connersville Canal House

Though other projects undertaken by the CCC are of important note, such as Zion National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the program's contributions to the state of Indiana cannot be understated.Prior to its purchase for development by the CCC in 1934, the 1700 acres of farmland in the area were host to another major event in Indiana history - Morgan's Raid, a brief effort by Confederate cavalryman and general John Hunt Morgan. The land that makes up the park was part of their path through Indiana, and the city of Versailles itself was temporarily occupied by the soldiers under Morgan's command. Beginning in 1934, the CCC rapidly began developing the park itself. Their projects included building roads, camp sites, erosion control, planting trees, and general maintenance. In 1937, the CCC responsible for building and maintaining the state park were reassigned to a project in Oregon, and responsibility for the park was turned over to Versailles locals. The statue, dedicated in 2010 by the Ripley County Historical Society, is similar to many placed across the United States to commemorate the workers who took part in the CCC. A directory of these statues can be found on a CCC legacy website at http://www.ccclegacy.org. The Versailles statue is the 54th of its kind to be dedicated in the United States, and the only CCC statue in the state of Indiana.

Founded in 1933 by then president Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Civilian Conservation Corps was a volunteer program for men aged 17 to 28. Meant to employ this demographic during the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps set out across the United States developing natural resources and building infrastructure such as roads and dams. In Versailles, Indiana, the CCC built Versailles State Park on 1,700 acres of farmland starting in 1934. Dedicated in 2010, the statue on park grounds commemorates the efforts of hundreds of workers whos work still affects the state park and beyond to this day.

Civilian Conservation Corps Statue

Floyd County, Indiana is home to the states oldest public high school. It opened in October of 1853 as Scribner High School before the name changed to New Albany High School. An interesting fact about the school is that it was closed from 1859-1864 and The United States Army used it as a hospital to treat union soldiers wounded in the Civil War. Another interesting fact about New Albany High School is that it was “The first FM high school Radio station to be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and has had its own public-access television cable TV channel.”

Floyd County, Indiana was recognized as a county in 1819. It has the second-smallest area of land in the whole state. On October 3rd, 1853, New Albany High School was founded under the name of Scribner High School making it the oldest public high school in the state of Indiana. 

Indiana’s First Public High School

Pigeon Roost was established in 1809 by William E. Collings, and was the site of the major war that began in 1812. At this site is where Native americans took settlers shortly after the war began and killed 24 people. This was a surprise attack on the settlers that took them off guard.The town was named Pigeon Roost because of the great number of passenger pigeons in the area. The settlement consisted of a single line of cabins stretching north and south approximately one mile north of the present town of Underwood. The nearest Indian village was located some 20 miles north near the Muskatatuck River.

Pigeon Roost was established in 1809 by William E. Collings, and was the site of the major war that began in 1812. At this site is where Native americans took settlers shortly after the war began and killed 24 people. This was a surprise attack on the settlers that took them off guard.

Pigeon Roost State Historic site

During the summer of 1863, General John Hunt Morgan led a cavalry group across Ohio and Indiana. General Morgan already raided through Kentucky and Tennessee building his calvary group by looting and capturing horses from civilians. The purpose of the raid was to cut off Union forces moving toward Chattanooga by Major General William S. Rosecrans. General Morgan’s raid is known as one of and the largest battle in the civil war. Morgan was able to mobilize hundreds of troops across the Ohio river by capturing two steamboats. Fighting occurred for five days until the support of 30,000 Hoosiers put an end to the raid and capture General Morgan. Later that week, Governor Oliver P. Morgan wrote a letter thanking the citizens of Indiana for their bravery and response in order to defend their land.

During the summer of 1863, General John Hunt Morgan led a cavalry group across Ohio and Indiana. General Morgan already raided through Kentucky and Tennessee building his calvary group by looting and capturing horses from civilians.  The purpose of the raid was to cut off Union forces moving toward Chattanooga by Major General William S. Rosecrans. 

Morgan's Raid 

Freeman Field was an Air Force pilot training school which was used during World War II. It was built on December 1, 1942. It was named after Richard S. Freeman, an Indiana pilot who died when his plane crashed. As WWII was coming to an end, the school stopped training pilots and started to use it to store both American and foreign aircraft, such as German and Japanese aircraft. In 1948, Freedom Field was declared inactive. However, in the 1990s, people began to dig for buried aircraft parts, and while tires, landing gear, and radio equipment was found, no one was able to find any jet engines of German aircraft.

Freeman Field was an Air Force pilot training school which was used during World War II. It was built on December 1, 1942. It was named after Richard S. Freeman, an Indiana pilot who died when his plane crashed. As WWII was coming to an end, the school stopped training pilots and started to use it to store both American and foreign aircraft, such as German and Japanese aircraft. In 1948, Freedom Field was declared inactive. 

Freeman Field in Seymour, IN

The columns are all aligned in neat and organized rows of five, and while there are twenty-five in total, the inscriptions that line the interior walls of the limestone pillars offer what The American Legion describes as “intimate looks” (American Legion) into the personal lives and thoughts of the brave heroes of war. Diary entries of soldiers and letters to home are carved into the walls, shining a light on the overwhelming mental and emotional toll that war had on soldiers.A stroll through the rows of pillars is no lighthearted task, as the names of all of the fallen soldiers of the county surround the various diary and letter excerpts on each pillar. The pillars themselves are a sight to behold, and yet it is the interior walls that carry the heaviest historical significance. Citizens of Columbus clearly desired a way to solemnly honor those of their own county who made the greatest sacrifice.

Dedicated in 1997, this memorial includes twenty-five limestone pillars that include stories of war carved into their interior walls. The inscribed messages, containing diary and letter entries from soldiers, as well as all the names of those fallen, that make up The Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans and serve as a shrine and testament to military veterans of the twentieth century. The memorial centers on the experience of veterans in wars of the 20th century, specifically World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Thompson and Rose Architects designed the limestone and granite memorial located in Bartholomew County’s Courthouse Square, and it was funded by the Cummins Foundation Architecture Program.

Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans

Memorial is on South Harrison Street north of West Taylor Street, on the left when traveling north. Located on the East lawn of the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, Indiana. The monument is often called "Soilders Monument" and is for residents who lived in Shelby County who served in the Union and put their lives on the line during the Civil War from 1861-1865. This monument was built in 1931 by Dumont Post Number 18. The front side of the monument honors those who served in the time of War and time of Peace and also states Regiments in which served.

Memorial is on South Harrison Street north of West Taylor Street, on the left when traveling north. Located on the East lawn of the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, Indiana. 

The monument is a representation of those who served in the Civil War and did not make it home. Those brave people are honored in Shebly County, Indiana. 

Civil War Monument

The GAR, The Grand Army of the Republic, was founded in 1866 and was an organization made for Union veterans who served in the Civil War. There are a total of 592 GAR posts in Indiana, The Memorial Opera House being one of them. The house is still used for some of the same things it was when it was first built. They also had a lot of appearances of famous people on the stage in the building. Some of these people include President Theodore Roosevelt, John Philip Sousa, the Marx Brothers, Lowell Thomas, and other performers. The Times of Northwest talk about a lady named Beulah Bondy who performed on the stage when she was just 8 years old. She became and popular actress and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in “The Gorgeous Hussy”. She gave a donation when she came back home to Valparaiso to the Memorial Opera House to purchase new seating. The building is being renovated again so they can keep it as long as possible.

The Godfroy Reserve Was a tract of land that was set aside for the Miami Indians that resided in the areas that would become Blackford and Jay counties in Indiana.  The Reserve was established by the third treaty of St. Mary’s in late 1818.  Under the treaty, “all the land lying west of the Twelve Mile Purchase and south of the Wabash river” would be ceded to the white man with the exception of two reservations that would remain for the Miami people (Montgomery, 1922, pg.260).  On The reservation, Francis Godfroy led those who continued to follow.  It would be 1821 before the white man would begin to settle the area surrounding the Godfroy reserve (History of the Rendezvous Site).  Godfroy, being of French heritage, was willing to remain friendly with the white men who lived nearby.  Around 1839, The Miami people grew tired of the white men encroaching on their reserve, and eventually left for settlements to the west (Montgomery, 1922, pg.260-261).  Now, a Plaque commemorates the site of the Godfroy Reserve, along with a large statue in the likeness of Francis Godfroy.

The Godfroy Reserve Was a tract of land that was set aside for the Miami Indians that resided in the areas that would become Blackford and Jay counties in Indiana.  The Reserve was established by the third treaty of St. Mary’s in late 1818.  Under the treaty, “all the land lying west of the Twelve Mile Purchase and south of the Wabash river” would be ceded to the white man with the exception of two reservations that would remain for the Miami people (Montgomery, 1922, pg.260).

The Godfroy Reserve: Blackford County

In my opinion, this should be considered an extremely important historical marker. This marker, located at 150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, IN, Decatur County, tells the story of a man who fought against injustice during the times of slavery. This historical marker helps to show that it is important to speak out against injustice, even when it can be uncomfortable. Luther Donnell helped a woman and her family esapce from slavery to Canada, via The Underground Railroad.  Unfortunately, Donnell was convicted for assisting in freeing slaves. Later on after is conviction, with the help of a pro-slavery decision, he was freed because the federal law superseeded the state law.

 In my opinion, this should be considered an extremely important historical marker. This marker, located at 150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, IN, Decatur County, tells the story of a man who fought against injustice during the times of slavery. This historical marker helps to show that it is important to speak out against injustice, even when it can be uncomfortable. 

Anti-Slavery Historical Marker

The three firefighters who have died while on duty in Hamilton County were Byron Galbreath, a firefighter from Noblesville who died in 1951, Cyrus Clark, an assistant chief from Carmel who died in 1960, and Raymond Moulder, an assistant chief from Fishers who died in 1967. Their names are written below each firefighter helmet to memorialize them. Across from the statue is a steel beam from one of the Twin Towers that fell on 9/11 in order to memorialize the 345 firefighters who sacrificed themselves then. These monuments not only honor the firefighters who died, but also their families who had to live on without them.

The fire department of Hamilton County, Indiana wanted to honor the loss of three of their firefighters. The project that took almost a decade to create was finalized in 2016. It features a bronze statue of two life-sized firefighters with a dog on top of a limestone base, as well as three firefighter hats.

Monuments and Memories (v.2)

Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Additional Information