Remembering our trip to Springfield, IL
History
Batesville’s Bison-tennial statue
Indiana’s Bicentennial was celebrated in 2016. As part of the celebration, fiberglass statues of bison were made available to each of Indiana’s counties. Local artists decorated them with themes and scenes of the local area and features. We have seen several of these during our travels around the state, and our trip to Batesville today was no different.
We found the familiar shape of one of 92 Indiana county’s bison statues in front of the Batesville City Admin and Police Department Building. “Braun” sure makes a striking appearance on this admin office lawn!
Rush County Courthouse in Indiana
This historic courthouse in Rushville, Indiana was built in 1896. Its architectural design is Richardson Romanesque style. It was designed by A.W. Rush and Sons.
The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Greenwood Indiana Civil War vets cemetery section
It was sunny and cold today, but still a nice day for a short trip. we found ourselves t a large city cemetery in Greenwood, Indiana. We saw short wall, behind which were a couple of cannons.
Old Glory in the breeze
Great ID Plaque
It became obvious that this was the location of the Civil War Veteran’s cemetery, complete with a prominent flagpole.
A beautiful, serene setting
An interesting touch for this section
Rest in Peace
Know that Veteran’s Sections in cemeteries should always be considered sacred ground.
Pioneer graves in Greenwood, Indiana Cemetery
Pioneers who were first buried in the Presbyterian and Baptist Cemeteries were reburied in this plot. This info is from the plaque, photo below, that is onsite at the Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood, Indiana.
We found this as we were in the cemetery looking at interesting grave markers.
Very interesting and it is so nice knowing the graves were moved and not forgotten.
Thomas A. Hardman covered bridge
Wendall Willkie, Rushville’s pride and joy
Rushville, Indiana is a typical Midwestern small town. It became home for one of the Hoosier state’s accomplished politician, Wendall Willkie. Willkie, born in 1892, was a successful lawyer, businessman and ran for President of the United States against Franklin Roosevelt in 1940.
Willkie changed his party registration to Republican in 1939, however he did lose to FDR in the election. After the election, as Roosevelt’s informal envoy, he made two foreign trips during the height of WWII. Willkie died in 1944 while he was considering forming a new political party with Roosevelt.
Willkie Family Plot
A nice remembrance plaque
Rush County Courthouse
Wendell Willkie was loved by many, and his Presidential run in 1940 was organized and executed in Rushville in what was then the Durbin Hotel and Restaurant. He and his family are buried in the large Rushville cemetery.
Naples, Italy antique1953 postcard sent from US Navy destroyer
This Black and white postcard of Cimarosa Street in Naples, Italy was sent (postmarked) from the U.S.S. Bearss, a United States Navy destroyer on deployment to the Mediterranean in 1953. We have it listed for sale on our ebay store where we enjoy selling postcards, jewelry, antiques and other fun items.
Looking back on our trip to President Lincoln’s grave
Indiana has the most Carnegie libraries of any state
Industrialist millionaire Andrew Carnegie gave over 40 million dollars to build over 1650 libraries in large and small towns across America. The State of Indiana received a total of over $2.6 million from the Carnegie Corporation. This led to a total of 164 library built in the Hoosier State from 1901 to 1922, more than any other state in the Union.
Front steps of the original structure, the plaque in the center of steps was a later add
Shelbyville is in the central part of the state, and its Carnegie Library was constructed early in the building program and held its grand opening on June 2, 1902. Like most all of the Carnegie structures, it included massive columns over the front entrance and an impressive large ceiling/roof dome. The columns were made with Indiana limestone.
The dome of the original structure is visible, with later additions in the foreground.
Over the years the Shelbyville Library has seen several additions and renovations. One addition more than doubled the size of the original library. Most recently an adjacent former furniture store was obtained and after remodeling it now houses the library’s Genealogy and History Departments, instruction rooms and computer labs. This library and branches have been a valuable part of Shelbyville and Shelby County’s community since 1902.
