Issue 5 - Monroe County History Center

Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Bloomington, IN
Permit No. 351
Monroe County Historian
Preserving the Past for Future Generations
Newsletter of the Monroe County Historical Society, Inc.
Haunted History Tours
Monroe County
Historical Society’s
Oct & Nov 2013
Vol. 2013 Issue 5
Monroe County
Historian
Monroe County
History Center
Oct & Nov 2013
Museum
Research Library
Museum Gift Store
Educational Facility
V ol. 2013 I s s ue 5
Society established 1905
Museum established 1980
For subscription
information
contact the
Monroe County
History Center at
812-332-2517, or
monroehistory.org
History Center
Do you want to make history? If so, call 812-332-2517, ext. 3 to find out more about
volunteering in one of the many departments at the History Center. We have positions available for ongoing activities, monthly, quarterly, annually or as needed. We
will meet your schedule.
Membership Form
Method of Payment
□ Visa □ MasterCard □ Check
Annual Membership Levels
Presbyterian Cemetery
In 1840, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, also known as Pleasant
Hill Church, organized near Ellettsville. The church property, near the
western edge of Ellettsville, was said
to have an adjoining cemetery. A
current marker at the site reads:
“Established 1930.” However, at
least two-thirds of the stones in this
cemetery bear death dates earlier
than 1930; many date to the 1800s.
While some believe that the marking
recognizes the 1930 formation of the
cemetery’s Board of Directors, a local
historian, Don Matson, believes the
date should read “1830.” There is no
evidence that the cemetery moved,
even though the church building was
razed in 1890 to build a new church.
Cover painting by Dorothy Bain, courtesy
of the Arthur Clark Estate, from the
MCHC Collection
□ Student/Teacher
□ Basic
□ Family
□ Sustaining
□ Patron
$20
$35
$60
$100
$500
Corporate - Service Organizations
□ Exhibit Supporter
$100
□ Gallery Benefactor
$250
□ History Patron
$500
□ Monroe County History Maker $1000
___________________________________
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Send to:
Monroe County History Center
202 East Sixth Street
Bloomington, IN 47408
Bloomington, IN 47408
812-332-2517
www.monroehistory.org
Hours
Tuesday — Saturday
10am — 4pm
Museum Admission
Adult — $2
Child (6(6-17 yrs.) — $1
5 yrs. & Under — Free
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Check if you are interested in:
□ Volunteering
□ Genealogy
□ Civil War History
□ Planned Giving
202 East Sixth Street
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Members — Free
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Experience even more thrills and chills with Mystery and Mayhem, a paranormal
luxury bus tour brought to you by Misguided Tours and the History Center. Discover the seamier side of Bloomington's history. Trips depart at 5:15 and 6:15,
the 11th and 25th, and will include a free ticket to the Haunted History Tour as
well. Make reservations soon at 812-322-2211 or by email: [email protected].
JFK: Monroe County Remembers
The 1960s were a time of immense social and political change.
The most unsettling and frightening moment of the 1960s was the
assassination of John F. Kennedy, our 35th President, on a sunny
day in Dallas, Texas. November 22, 2013 will be the 50th anniversary of this event and the History Center will sponsor a special
month-long exhibit commemorating it. Do you remember that
day? We ask you to help us in this endeavor by sharing the story
of your reactions when you heard the news: where you were, what you were doing,
and your thoughts and feelings. By participating in this exhibit, you will be making
history. All recollections will be assembled and kept for future historians to know
exactly what Monroe County was experiencing at this time. Please see the form
inside this newsletter for more details. We are waiting to hear from you.
Issue Highlights
2 - Events Calendar
3 - Message from the President
4 - Holiday Sale
5 - Local Cemeteries
6 - A New Way to Park
7 - Collections’ Corner
8-11 - Library Articles
___________________________________
Phone
Join the History Center for a hauntingly good time, October
11th and 25th, from 5pm to 9pm. There will be guided tours
every 30 minutes, taking you through the haunted museum
where you can meet Monroe County residents of the distant
past. While you are waiting for your tour to start enjoy classic monster movies,
cider, and popcorn. Tickets are $5 apiece at the door.
12 - Membership Form
Historian Staff
Editor: Helmut Hentschel
Copywriter & Design: Hillary
Detty
Annual Canopy of Lights Open House
While you are downtown watching the square light up for the holiday season don’t
forget to take a stroll over to the History Center for our Canopy of Lights Open
House tradition! Admission is free, there will be
hot cider, pastries, holiday music, and our everpopular holiday sale where you are sure to find
that perfect gift for all of your favorite people!
The doors will open on Friday the 29th of November at 5pm and will stay open until 9pm.
Drop by, bring the whole family, meet friends,
and enjoy our charming museum and gift shop.
Monroe County Historian
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Oct & Nov 2013
Monroe County Historian
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Oct & Nov 2013
Calendar of Events
All events held at the History Center unless otherwise stated.
October


4th—Open Late, until 7pm, for First Friday events
November

5th, 9am–3pm—Workday at White Oak Cemetery

8th, 7pm—Civil War Roundtable

10th, 4:30pm—Board Meeting

11th, 5pm–9pm—Haunted History Tours

17th, 10:30am—HiStory Time

18th, 6pm–8pm—Watercolor Painting exhibit
opening reception

19th, 6:30–8:30—Local Author, Jeff Rosenplot,
25th from 5pm–9pm—Haunted History Tours

3rd, 1pm–5pm—Workday at Keller Cemetery

7th, 7pm—Genealogy Group

12th, 7pm—Civil War Roundtable

14th, 4:30pm—Board Meeting

21st, 10:30am—HiStory Time

28th—Closed all day for the holiday

29th, 5pm–9pm—Canopy of Lights Open House
book reading
Current & Upcoming Exhibits
Also available at www.monroehistory.org
“The Roaring Twenties”
June 8, 2013 to October 26, 2013
The Roaring Twenties was a time of
great change. America saw Jazz music
flourishing, women coming into their
own, and the stock market building and
destroying fortunes at dizzying speed.
The 18th Amendment, prohibiting the
sale and distribution of alcohol, was in
full swing, but that did not stop the
generation coming of age from enjoying
the benefits of the economic boom and
all that came with the decade.
Watercolor Society:
“Cemetery Paintings”
October 18, 2013 to January 18,
2014
The History Center’s Cemetery Committee creates a calendar annually with a local cemetery featured each month
and sells these calendars as a fundraiser. This year the
Bloomington Watercolor Society has graciously painted a
number of local cemeteries and headstones to be considered for the calendar. This exhibit will feature all of the
submissions.
“JFK: Monroe County
Remembers” November 5, 2013
to November 30, 2013 This November
marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, in
Dallas TX. This exhibit will feature community members written memories about where they were and
how they reacted on this fateful day.
Community Voices Gallery: “Alliance of
Bloomington Museums”
—————————————————————
News and New Items from the Library
* Linn, John B. and William H. Egle. Pennsylvania Marriages
Prior to 1790. 1968. Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
[email protected]
* Maps of Monroe County Cemeteries. 1939/1940 WPA maps.
Compiled by Penelope Mathiesen and Nicole Bieganski Gift from Ron Baldwin.
__________________________________________
Library News
* Martin, David Dale. Memoir of David Dale Martin. 2004.
Gift from E. W. (Wain) Martin.
The Research Library has hired two hourly workers to un- * Martin, E. Wainright, Jr. Memories of Anthony (Tony) Pizzo.
dertake the scanning and indexing of its collection of
2012. Gift from Wain Martin.
Monroe County deed books for the State Historic Records
Advisory Board (SHRAB) grant.
* Martin, E. Wainright. Memories of Elza D. Mongold and Lucille Dove Mongold. [2005.] Gift from E. W. (Wain) Martin.
The Research Library began a refurbishment process on
September 8 including the installation of new carpet,
* Martin, E. Wainright. Memories of Gordon Glen Heath and
shelving, paint, and window screens. The library thanks the
Dorothy Faulkner Heath. 2006. Gift from E. W. (Wain) Marvolunteers who assisted with the process.
tin.
The following items are a selection of the library’s recently-accessioned resources:
* Butcher, J. Arthur. Butcher Genealogy. 1965. Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
* Centennial Arbutus. Indiana University Yearbook. 1921.
Gift from Rosco Minton.
* Easterday, Karen. Maple Grove Cemetery Families. 2013.
Gift from Karen Easterday.
* Martin, E. Wainright, Jr. Memories of Rudolph Otto (Rudy)
Pozzatti and Dorothy (Doti) Bassetti Pozzatti. 2012. Gift from
Wain Martin.
* Monroe County Deed Record Index Books 1–5, June 1870–July
1877, indexed by Gary Wiggins. 2013.
* Ridlen, Suzanne. Tree-Stump Tombstones: A Field Guide to
Funerary Art in Indiana. 1999. Gift from Robert Dodd.
* Rupp, Daniel. Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania. 1965.
Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
August 16, 2013 to November 30, 2013
* Easterday, Karen. Maple Grove Cemetery Graves and Spouses.
2013. Gift from Karen Easterday.
The Alliance of Bloomington Museums
(ABM) promotes the diverse range of
cultural and educational resources that
member museums offer to visitors.
Twelve different museums/cultural
institutions are members of ABM.
* Easterday, Karen. Maple Grove Pictures of Tombstones. 2013. * Taden, Mary. John Butcher/Trease Kinser. Genealogy of
the Butcher family. 1996. Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
Gift from Karen Easterday.
“Attic of Oddities”
September 3, 2013 to February 1,
2014 Come learn about Victorian
mourning practices and encounter
odd treasures from the History Center’s attic—some never before seen!
Don’t miss this display of Bloomington’s secrets of yesterday.
* Sanborn, Melinde Lutz. Supplement to Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700. 1991. Gift from Karen Sims
* Easterday, Karen. Maple Grove Cemetery Obituaries, c. 1890s
Foster.
to 2000s. 2013. Gift from Karen Easterday.
* Greene County, Indiana Cemeteries, Prairie Chapel and Bloomfield. N.d. Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
* Jacob Butcher—Rebecca Williams* 5th Child of Barnabus. Records of the Butcher family. N.d. Gift from Karen Sims
Foster.
* Taylor, Philip Fall. A Calendar of the Warrants for Land in
Kentucky, Granted for Service in the French and Indian War.
1975. Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
* Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to
1790. 1985. Gift from Karen Sims Foster.
Monroe County Historian
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Monroe County Historian
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Oct & Nov 2013
The Monroe County Courthouse Woodshed
By Penelope Mathiesen
The following excerpt from an article by Bennett P. Reed*
depicts a time in 1863 when maintaining the fuel supply
for the Monroe County Courthouse involved keeping the
woodpile in order. The courthouse is the one completed in
1826 and expanded with the addition of two wings in 1856
–57. It preceded the 1907–8 building we see today.
The idea bore fruit at a later Board meeting. Appointed
were Sheriff Rogers and James Small to supervise building
of a county wood shed. This important adjunct, as agreed
upon, was to be a frame building. Location decided upon
was east of the Court House.
__________________
BLOOMINGTON DAILY HERALD
March 25, 1950
In the early days, modern methods of heating homes, businesses and other places were only dreams of prophets.
Principal fuel of old times was wood. Monroe County was
lush with timber. Wood for heating, therefore, was plentiful. It is recalled that the old Court House at one time was
provided with different types of stoves for space heating.
County owned buildings of other official nature, such as
the jail and Clerk-Library, also contained huge fireplaces.
Firewood was purchased by the County at a low price.
Storage was made in the Court House yard. Sometimes
wood was stacked and other times thrown in disorderly
fashion upon the ground. In any case, wood was exposed
to bad weather, as most of it was bought in the fall and
winter. The years and the elements joined forces in causing
an unsightly woodlot appearance around the Court House.
Adverse criticism of County authorities pointed to poor
housekeeping.
Page 3
Message from the President
Dear Members,
As summer activities wind down, there has been much
sprucing up at the History Center. New carpeting
throughout the first floor and fresh paint has brightened
up our interior. We could not have accomplished this
without the valiant efforts of the staff and many volunteers who have carted, scooted, lifted, and painted for
weeks on end. A huge thank you to all! A big change on
the exterior is the parking meters that have been installed by the City. Please see the article on page 6 to
help you understand the where, when, and how of convenient parking. We will be monitoring this situation to
see how it may affect our visitors and members.
months are the Haunted History Tour and the Bloomington Watercolor Society cemetery painting exhibit
opening in October.
In November, the Holiday Shop will again offer you the
chance to find that perfect gift, and
the annual Canopy of Lights Open
House on the Friday after Thanksgiving is always a festive time! I invite you to come in to explore,
shop, and be sure to check out the
fresh, new look at your History
Center!
Exciting programs and events over the next couple
Civil War Exhibit
Sanborn Fire Insurance City Map of Bloomington, IN, 1883,
showing the location of the Monroe County Courthouse woodshed (marked “Wood Ho.”) along the eastern edge of the
grounds.
Charles H. Patterson, editor and publisher of the Monroe
County Democrat, a weekly, proclaimed news of the
Board decision in his paper. About $200.00 was voted out
for the woodshed’s construction. Isaac Hooper and Jesse
Aquilla W. Rogers was Monroe County sheriff in 1863.
Payne took the contract and began work. Overseers James
Among his extemporaneous duties of office, he was inSmall and Sheriff Aquilla Rogers decided upon a few
structed to see that the county wood pile and surroundings changes for better strength. When it was completed, the
were kept in better order. But in winter, when fuel was
building’s total cost amounted to $215.00.
most needed, Sheriff Rogers found Court House incumbents digging deeply into snowbound [wood] for choicer
The Board, citizens and taxpayers showed evidences of
pieces. The unwanted was tossed in all directions without
pride in the new County woodshed that was to act as a
compunction. This caught the eyes of board members.
shield against bad weather. The Court House yard was
What Monroe County sorely needed, suggested one, was a cleaned up and once again took on an air of respectability.
shed for its supply of wood.
____________________
* Source: Bennett P. Reed, Part 24 in a series on Old Bloomington and
Monroe County History, Bloomington Daily Herald, 25 March 1950.
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Holiday Sale & Gift Store
We are now accepting donated items for the annual Holiday Shop at the History Center. Please bring good-quality holiday decorations and like-new gift items to the History Center any time we are open. Gift-type donations could include jewelry, small antiques,
decorative items, and such new/unused items as gloves, scarves, games, and puzzles. The
holiday boutique will open November 1, so we need donations before then if possible: however, we will take donations year-round.
Not only will we have special donated items in the holiday shop, but the Museum Store has
new and unusual books, cards, and gifts for you to see, too. The popular children’s book,
The Fish on the Dome, by Christopher Shaw is the newest addition to our store’s bookshelves. This book takes children on a fabulous adventure through Monroe County with the
Fish on the Courthouse Dome as their guide. We have the entertaining Bloomington Then &
Now, by Derek and Jen Richey, offering an insightful look at the Bloomington of yesterday
and what it has become.
Both stores are open during all normal History Center hours, Tuesday–Saturday 10:00am–
4:00pm.
Volunteer Spotlight
Caitlyn Smallwood
Caitlyn Smallwood is a greeter here at the Monroe County History Center. Caitlyn started volunteering with us in the spring of 2013.
Caitlyn came to Bloomington three years ago to study at Indiana University, where she is a senior majoring in History and minoring in Medieval
studies. She would like to continue her education, perhaps by studying in
Italy.
Caitlyn’s favorite time periods in history include the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance. She participates in a re-enactment group that focuses on
these time periods, the Society for Creative Anachronism. Caitlyn is also
interested in dance and bowling.
Caitlyn is excited about her senior year. In her future, besides going to
Italy, she wants to attend school for museum studies and then work in
museums.
and afternoon preaching. Saturday afternoon promised a
historical program, beginning with a talk entitled
“Reminiscences of Monroe County,” followed by addresses on old-style farming, home manufacturing, emigration,
and school teaching. There were to be demonstrations of
reaping and flailing grain; hand mill grinding; whipsawing;
making shingles; breaking, swingling, hackling, and spinning flax; and weaving. An exhibition of old farming implements, household utensils, and other old relics was
planned, and anyone possessing such items was invited to
bring them.5
include the “usual exercises,” and participants were instructed to bring “well-filled baskets.”8
An 1888 announcement stated that the Old Settlers’ Reunion of Monroe and adjoining counties would be held at
Sulphur Springs on 25–26 August. Addresses, preaching,
and music were planned. A special request was made for
attendees to “bring pictures of old pioneers and others as a
place will be arranged for them.”9 In 1894, an announcement for the Old Settlers’ Meeting at Ketcham’s Sulphur
Springs on 25–26 August promised speakers, preaching,
prayer, and “good music.”10
A report on the August 1887 Old Settlers’ meeting at
Ketcham Springs describes the location as well as the entertainment:
George P. Ketcham, the central figure in the Old Settlers’
reunions held each year at Ketcham’s Springs, died on 2
August 1899, age 76, at his home seven miles southwest of
“The springs are about nine miles southwest of Blooming- Bloomington. He was buried in the nearby family cemeton and five miles north of Harrodsburg, near a pleasant
tery. Known as “a public-spirited citizen,” he had owned
grove, and though unhandy to reach is a very pleasant
and operated Ketcham’s flour mill, built by Daniel
place for such a gathering. These meetings were begun
Ketcham (an “Old Settler”) in 1816. After George P.
many years ago … by Rev. Martin Fulk, now deceased … Ketcham died, the mill was operated by D. W. Ketcham
On Sunday it is estimated that 3,000 people were present. and others and remained “one of the oldest landmarks” in
Saturday the attendance was not so large… The Harrods- southwestern Monroe County until it burned down in
burg band was present and at suitable times rendered good February 1909.11
music. This band has outgrown the ordinary brass band
and plays some excellent selections. Added to this music
was a juvenile choir, from Harrodsburg … In the morning
the audience was addressed by Richard A. Fulk, who is one
of the boys himself, that is he has been a settler in Monroe
Notes
county for more than half a century, and he entertained
1. Weston Goodspeed, “History of Monroe County,” in Counties of
the audience with reminiscences interesting alike to old
Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, ed. Charles Blanchard (Chicago: Battey,
and young … Saturday, R. A. Harroll, from California,
1884), p. 397.
gave two fine selections from a cornet that were highly
complimented. He is here for his health. Daisy, the bright 2. Goodspeed, p. 398.
3. From “The Old Settlers of Monroe County, Indiana,” Monroe
little daughter of Joe Woodward, of Harrodsburg, gave a
County History Center, Research Library, Vertical Files: “Monroe
declamation Saturday, and for one so young did exceeding- County Settlement.”
ly well.”6
4. Goodspeed, pp. 398–99.
Two other gatherings were held in 1887. The announcement of an event in Van Buren Township stated: “There
will be a picnic and old settlers’ meeting at Henry Eller’s
sugar grove, June 9th, 1887, that being Mr. Eller’s 70th
birthday.” The program was to include music, prayer, a
history of the Eller family, dinner, and addresses; attendees
were instructed to “bring baskets.”7 Another announcement noted: “The fifth annual reunion of the old settlers
of Monroe and Brown counties will be held in Unionville
on the 17th day of August, 1887.” The program was to
5. “Old Settlers’s [sic] Meeting,” Bloomington Republican Progress, 16 August 1882.
6. “Old Settlers and Many Young Settlers: Annual Meeting at
Ketcham’s Springs,” Bloomington Telephone, 30 August 1887.
7. Untitled item, [Bloomington Telephone], 31 May 1887. Henry Eller’s
property was about 5 miles west of Bloomington in Van Buren Township; see Goodspeed, p. 645.
8. “Old Settlers’ Meeting,” Bloomington Telephone, 2 August 1887.
9. “Old Settlers Meeting,” Bloomington Telephone, 10 August 1888.
10. “Old Settlers,” Bloomington Telephone, 10 August 1894.
11. “Death of George P. Ketcham,” Bloomington Telephone, 2 August
1899; “No More Ketcham’s Mill,” Smithville News, 19 February 1909.
Monroe County Historian
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Monroe County Historian
Oct & Nov 2013
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Oct & Nov 2013
Meetings of Monroe County’s “Old Settlers”
Cemeteries are a Passion!
By Penelope Mathiesen
Submitted by Lou Malcomb, Co-chair of MCHC Cemetery Committee.
A little over thirty years after its inception in 1818, Monroe County began to celebrate its past. The first attempt to organize an old settlers’ association in Monroe County was made in 1852, but nothing came of it. In April 1857, a group
of pioneer residents met at the Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington to organize the Old Settlers’ Society, and
a committee was appointed to plan a meeting for the following July 4th. The intention was to provide a gathering at
which the “old gray-headed fathers” could entertain and educate “the rising generation” by recalling the perils and
hardships they had endured during the settlement of Monroe County.1
On 4 July 1857, the first meeting took place as planned, with reportedly 1,500 people in town for the event. The old
settlers enjoyed a fine dinner and afterwards related their experiences in establishing the county. The second meeting
was held at the courthouse on 17 September 1858. A sumptuous dinner was served, and stories of the past, including
many hunting exploits, were shared by the old settlers with the other citizens present. The next meeting was scheduled
for 17 September 1859. Members were encouraged to bring their wives, and “those that have none are requested to get
one, or bring a widow.”2
Monroe County History Center’s Cemetery Committee has selected White Oak Cemetery for its Fall Workday. The
Committee invites members to come participate in restoration work between 9am and 3pm on October 5, or just stop
by to visit and see the restoration efforts. Email a member of the committee (see our webpage) or the MCHC email for
more information about what participation means (it is dirty work) and other ways you can help.
MCHC members know that we have an extraordinary group of people on the cemetery committee. During 2013,
they’ve organized a Restoration Workshop, five cemetery workdays, and hosted the Indiana Historical Society’s annual tour. Many people would have laughed at what they considered their “mixer” meeting—mixing stack, slot, and void
mixes so every committee member could have their own supply of repair mix.
The Kelly-Ellis-Smith Workday (pictures below) extends that cemetery role as a “model” historical project. We first
visited the cemetery, located at the junction of 46E and 446, with the Perry Township Trustee in June 2009. The cemetery was discussed at an area planning meeting in 2011, when a housing development was proposed for the area surrounding the cemetery.
To qualify for the list of Old Settlers of Monroe County, applicants had to be fifty years of age and a resident of the
county for thirty years as of 17 September 1858. (The rules underwent various modifications over the years.) The first
111 members of the society were all male, as were 17 honorary members. Admitted at the next meeting, on 17 September 1859, were 47 members, including 30 women. The third group of 62 included both men and women, for a total list
of 237 Old Settlers.3
Annual meetings were held until the start of the Civil War. The society reorganized about 1866 and held regular meetings until 1870, when it briefly joined a district society in Gosport, then reverted to its original organization. A separate
society was started in Ellettsville in 1878. Its first meeting was held at Worley’s Grove on 26 September, the 97th birthday of James Parks, whose name led the honor roll of 46 men and women.4
June of 2009
March of 2013
Through a team effort with the MCHC Cemetery Committee, the land owner, the township trustee, and others, this cemetery has been fenced, all
existing stones reset and repaired as possible. Family members attended the August 11th workday, as did the land owner.
Map showing location of Ketcham’s
Sulphur Springs in northwestern Clear
Creek Township. From the 1917 Bowen’s Guide, reproduced in Ryles’ Historical
Atlas and Gazetteer Series, Monroe County,
Indiana (Ellettsville, IN: Ryle Publications, 2008), p. 29.
Many Old Settlers’ meetings in the 1880s and 1890s were held at George P. Ketcham’s Sulphur Springs (see map).
Other locations included Henry Eller’s sugar grove and Unionville. The programs bore a strong similarity to the revival
meetings of the day. A meeting at Ketcham’s Sulphur Springs on 26–27 August 1882 was scheduled to open each
morning at 9:30 a.m. with choir music, scripture reading, and prayer; Sunday (August 27) was to include both morning
September 15th we worked at Rose Hill Cemetery, resetting/leveling several stones and restacking three large pedestal
-type stones. It is a remarkable experience to see a three- or four-part stone that was laying on or sunken into the
ground again raise to great heights. Who were these people?
Although the small Langton and VanZandt tablet stones at first appeared to need only
straightening, resetting them turned into a real challenge when all were discovered to be at
least 12–18 inches beneath a hard layer of clay! Trying to locate the base of one led to the
discovery of a totally different stone, not listed in the “Rose Hill Cemetery 1821–1976” volume. The name on the stone: E. Vanzandt… Turns
out that it was Elizabeth Vanzandt , wife of Casher
Vanzandt, an undertaker. There was also a small,
hand-craved stone for Maud Davis. The 1880 Census
indicates that the Vanzandts had a daughter, Maud,
making it totally logical that she would be buried in
the same family plot. Now to figure out how the
Langtons and John F. Rogers were related!
Monroe County Historian
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Oct & Nov 2013
Monroe County Historian
Oct & Nov 2013
Collections’ Corner
Business Members of the History Center
The Monroe County History Center would like to thank our business
members for their support.
~Curry Auto Center
~United Commerce Bank
~The Irish Lion
Page 7
~John Bethell Title Company, Inc.
~Psi Iota Xi, Bloomington Thrift
Shop
~Monroe County Public Library
~Pritchett Brothers, Inc.
~Nick’s English Hut
~ISU The May Agency
A New Way to Park
August 12, 2013 saw yet another installation of parking meters in the downtown area. The new meters are solar powered and take both change (nickels, dimes, quarters, and golden dollars) and credit
cards. There is a $0.30 convenience fee for each credit card transaction. Parking is $1.00 an hour,
paid in 15 minute increments, and there is no limit on the number of hours. The meters, on the
streets, are monitored Monday through Saturday from 8am to 10pm. The meters cover a large portion of downtown, including Rogers St. between 3rd and 11th, Walnut St. between 2nd and 11th, 3rd/
Kirkwood between Rogers St. and Indiana, and a few outlying areas.
The parking lots and parking garages still have lower rates and in some cases you can park for the
first three hours for free. Lots/Garages with the first three hours free are marked with an *.
By Rebecca Vaughn
General collections intern Kelsey Bawel has been a wonderful asset
to the History Center. Kelsey focused her efforts on cataloging
recent donations and backlog materials. Some of the items processed include RCA newsletters (1940s-1960s), Indiana School
Journal articles (1887), Monroe Dam and Reservoir pamphlets
(1965), as well as photographs of area churches and schools.
photographs. Ashley has also updated numerous catalog records for
items in the general artifact collection.
Ashley is a senior at IU where she studies Fine Arts and Journalism.
She is an arts reporter for the Indiana Daily Student and uses her
writing skills to research materials in the History Center’s collections. She plans to participate in a Museum Education practicum
Kelsey attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana for her under- through the Mathers Museum in the Spring Semester. After graduagraduate studies. She was a double major in History and Internation Ashley hopes to find work at either a museum or a daily newstional studies with a concentration in European Studies. As a stupaper.
dent-athlete she was an All-American three years and an Academic
All-American. Kelsey will begin the IUPUI Masters in Public History program this fall and will be interning at the Eiteljorg Museum in
Indianapolis.
Beginning her volunteer work in collections in early June, Ashley
Jenkins graciously continues to support the Center by volunteering
this Fall Semester. Ashley has processed a number of archival materials including Civil War era documents, transcriptions of letters
from Dr. Robert O. Hamill of Bloomington (1840–1841), letters
from Wallace's Farmer Journal to T. C. Oscar Schacht concerning
city population and farm production (1928), and Monon Railroad
HiStory Time
Join us the third Thursday of every month at
10:30am for hiStory Time. hiStory Time is a
history-themed story time for children ages 3
–6. hiStory Time includes stories, music,
crafts, and occasional artifact encounters.
Free with entry to museum. Museum Admission – Children under 6: Free; Children, 6–
17: $1.00; Adults: $2.00; Members: Free.
New Items in the Collection
[email protected]
Compiled by Rebecca Vaughn
~ 3 photographs (reprints) of the Monon Railroad.
Photos depict McDoel Gardens, Smithville Depot, and
Monon roundhouse. Gift from Ron Marquardt.

4th St. garage is $0.50 an hour M–F between 6am and 6pm, free after 6pm and on weekends.*

Morton St. garage is $0.50 an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Walnut St. garage is $0.50 an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.*

Dunn & 4th lot is $1.00 an hour, 2 hour limit, M–F from 8am to 5pm, free after 5pm and on weekends.

Washington & 4th lot is $0.50 an hour, M–F from 8am to 5pm, free after 5pm and on weekends.*

Lincoln & 6th lot is $0.50 an hour, M–F from 8am to 5pm, free after 5pm and onweekends. (This lot is directly behind the History Center.)*

Washington & 3rd lot is $0.50 an hour, M–F from 8am to 5pm, free after 5pm and on weekends.*
~ WWII ration booklet; Bloomington High School
handbook, 1941; Martinsville postcard, 1900; and IU
football material, 1948. Gift from Melba Aynes.

There are also parking permits for the garages available at rates of $40-$76 a month.
~ Land deed, 1856; family letters, 1908–1920; and
campaign materials, 1908. Gift from Jenny Woodward.
For more information you can visit the City of Bloomington’s parking page on their website:
bloomington.in.gov/parking or call the parking office at (812) 349-3400.
~ Photograph of nine Showers Brothers employees,
1914. Gift from Marion Jacobs.
~ Five Llamarada Ellettsville High School yearbooks,
1927, 1929, 1932, 1937, 1940. Gift from Marion Jacobs.
~ Elm Heights Elementary Report Card, 1934–1935.
Gift from John Robert Neel.
~ Photograph of Roy and Marie Schmalz, 1950. Gift
from Sarah Schmalz Templin.