Indiana University

Honoring a hometown basketball legend’s history

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William “Bill” Leon Garrett was a basketball player, coach, educator, and a college administrator who is best known as the first African American to regularly play on a Big Ten Conference (Indiana University) varsity basketball team. His image, in his college basketball uniform, is proudly displayed on the Shelbyville Cagney’s Pizza King.

2024 mural of Garrett in his Big Ten IU uniform

Mural artist signature and information plaque

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelbyville, Indiana, however remembers Bill Garrett as a member of the Golden Bears High School basketball team. That team won the State Basketball Championship in 1947, a feat yet to be repeated.

Details about the life and accomplishments of Bill Garrett

Garrett was drafted by the NBA Boston Celtics after college, but was at the same time drafted by the US Army for a two year stint during the Korean War. After he left the Army he was a Harlem Globetrotter for a while.

Photo of one of Shelbyville’s proudest moments

Garrett also had a highly successful career as the High School b-ball coach at Crispus Attucks in Indianapolis. He later became active in the administration of IUPUI Indianapolis.  Both the Shelbyville HS Field House and the intermural fieldhouse at Indiana University are named after Bill Garett.

Oliver Winery is an Indiana landmark

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The Oliver Winery is located north of Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. That is important, as Oliver Winery traces its roots to the basement of IU law professor William Oliver in the 1960’s. He started as a hobby, planted a vineyard north of town, and soon had a production winery in the early 1970’s.

Tasting bar in center

Lots of cool stuff!

Covered deck, lovely hill with picnic tables overlooking the pond

Oliver’s website gives a wonderful bit of history: “Professor Oliver was instrumental in passing legislation allowing for the creation of small wineries in our state. The Indiana Small Winery Act passed in 1971, and Oliver Winery opened in 1972. Sales took off with Camelot Mead, and we’ve been growing ever since. Today, we distribute our award-winning, fruit-forward wines to 40 states and ship across the country.”

Interesting limestone feature

Path to the tasting room

From the flower garden…

 

 

 

 

 

Oliver Winery grew rapidly during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. The new tasting room was built in 1997. The winery has become a very popular gathering place. The beautiful grounds provide peaceful areas for picnicking, including a lovely pond to add ambiance.

The stunning gardens and grounds are worth the time for a visit! We really enjoyed seeing the Oliver Winery in person. We had discussed many times making a visit to this well known winery. And yes, we left with some Cherry Moscato, Blueberry Moscato and local Dillman Farms Plum butter and Blackberry  preserves. Deliciousness coming!