November 2023
With apologies - the first e-newsletter mailed contained an incorrect link to this article.

Apologies again, and please urge PCHS to fire its Editor!!!! 3rd time is the charm. The link is now correct.
Elnora Bader Jackson, Local Artist

The Pulaski County Historical Society is in possession of three framed paintings by local artist Elnora Bader Jackson as well as several other pieces that were not finished or framed. 

We start here somewhere in the middle of the webpage that will be linked below.

Elnora Jackson’s Neighborhood

Elnora said, “My home has been at 415 N. Riverside since March 1, 1913. My early acquaintance with this section of Winamac began in 1892, when my parents bought a home at 402 N. Monticello (which was later the Clay Zellers’ home).

[Pearson/Agnew house] “Where now is the Dr. Overholser home there stood a white-washed, old, very old, one-story house where lived old Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hangley, Irish to the core. They trekked over to a spring, [on the] bank of [the] Tippecanoe, to get their water supply ... Carl Riddick (Reddick) bought the Hangley lot and a section (Pearson) of the Tippecanoe riverbank and built the present (Overholser) house.

Continue the article HERE.
The County of Long Ago, by E.R. Brown

This is the seventh in a Series of Reminiscences by E. R. Brown.

Markets & Trading Points

Those used to modern life will find by studying the past much to wonder at with reference to early selling and buying conditions. Some years ago I spent an enjoyable day in Chicago with a worthy pioneer of White county when he related how he had once hauled wheat there from Monticello with an ox team, driving up Michigan Avenue, unloading at an elevator (then called a ‘warehouse’) at the mouth of the river and buying goods on Lake Street. That involved a laborious, tedious journey of two hundred miles and more, requiring at least ten days, over roads never very good, often very bad, through a very sparsely settled country, exposed to all kinds of weather.

Continue reading HERE.
Rotating Display
Pulaski Yellow Jackets

As we gear up for Indiana's most loved sport, basketball, the Pulaski County Historical Society is proud to present our November/December installment of the Community Collection. Brenda Gilsinger has shared a small piece of her extensive Pulaski school collection focusing on some of the players and memorabilia from the Pulaski Yellow Jackets basketball team.

The collection displays artifacts dating as far back as the 1920’s and features a basketball jersey once belonging to Jerry Cloud. Go Yellow Jackets!

If you have a collection on artifacts from Pulaski County or Indiana and would like to contribute to the Community Collection please contact the historical society at info@pulaskihistory.net.
Current Displays
1846 German Chest

Pulaski County has had many immigrants from Germany, in groups that came to America at different times. One such group came in the period of 1850-1856. Quite a number of families settled in that period in the northwest part of the county, particularly in what became Cass Township. Some immigrated from Germany to the Michigan City and Wanatah areas.

Many of the men obtained work on construction of the Monon Railroad. This construction started in Michigan City and worked south, while another started in Lafayette to work north. The halfway point was said to have been between Medaryville and Francesville, about where West Central School is presently located.

Much of the land from there to the north was sandy or swampland. The German immigrants were thus enabled to purchase land at a low price. They established homes and churches. The first schools were conducted in the German language in the churches.
The old chest was brought here from Germany by Johann (or John) Krabbe and his wife Frederike. With them came Frederike’s parents, Johann (or Gothart) and Mina Maddens Fealke. Fredericke died at age 32 years leaving four children.

Additional information is available at the museum.

Researched by Zera Hansell Howe, 1982.
The Historical Museum exists to save and exhibit items of interest to Pulaski County. We have limited space, both for display and storage. As such, we must be judicious in the items we accept.

We like to say that we don't just accept "stuff," we collect stories of interest to Pulaski County.

If a donation has been accepted, it is considered an unrestricted gift. We reserve the right to keep or to dispose of the item as appropriate. All donations should be accompanied with a monetary donation.

A full donation policy is available for review. Please request it via email.
Every member is invited to attend monthly board meetings and take part in discussions. Voting privileges are granted only to members of the board.

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Museum.
To be included on reminder emails, please make that request by emailing us.
Murder Mystery!
It was so fun the first time, save the date for the 2nd time around! News will be coming out in the summer of 2024!
Please Enjoy These Videos

  • 2023 Annual Meeting, featuring Fred Zahrt, speaking on kit houses, both the industry and local examples.
  • A trailer for the upcoming film, Tractors on the Tippecanoe.
  • A workshop series, How to Research the History of Your Old House, presented by the Pulaski County Historical Society and provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities through Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.
  • Itch's Room, his cobbler shop, tools, and a variety of historical items.
  • A video on the interpretive sign at the Artesian Well, produced by the Pulaski County Tribe.
  • A brief history of Vurpillat's Opera House
  • 2021 Annual Meeting, featuring Brenda Gilsinger and the history of Pulaski (the town)
  • 2022 Annual Meeting, featuring Shirley Willard from the Fulton County Historical Society, the history of the Potawatomi in Fulton & Pulaski Counties and the Trail of Death.
This poem was written in the summer of 1979 by Mary K. Wiesjahn Williamson. a Star City native. She was born in 1918 and died at the age of 99 in 2018. If you would like to catch up on the series, it started in the January 2023 edition of the e-newsletter. FIND IT HERE.
The Gas Stations
In the late '20's with more cars appearing,
new filling stations came into view.
Ed Woods built one where Larry Olson's is now,
and "Brass" Edwards built a new one too.
Back then St. Rd. 29 went right through the heart of town.
 The dust and dirt these cars stirred up
caused house-wives to grumble and frown!
When St. Rd. 35 was built, it missed us,
but still bordered the north edge of town.
Two new Stations went up in the highway:
Cords & Lehman, and catty-cornered was Harry Brown.
After Ed Woods & before Larry Olson had set up his
 business here, that garage belonged to
Bill McClure, who owned it for 30 years.
A genial fellow, we called him "Wig" or "Willy",
and "Maudie" is his most pleasant filly.
Gifts For Any Reason

What do you give to the person who loves history? Give a gift that supports local efforts to record it. Consider a certificate for birthdays or anniversaries, or for any reason! (It's time to shop for the holidays!)
Consider giving a frameable 8x10 certificate as a holiday gift.

For a $50 contribution, or more, this certificate will be personalized and emailed to you.

For an additional $7.00, we will have the certificate printed on photo quality paper and mail it to you in time to go into that Christmas stocking!
Twilight Tuesdays
Nov 28, 2023 - Dec 20, 2023
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

During Festival of Trees, IHS will be open late with special evening hours on select Tuesdays (between Thanksgiving and Christmas) to allow visitors to view the beautiful and specially decorated trees after dark.

Additionally, each night will feature special holiday music by local talent.

You can also take advantage of special holiday treats offered at the Stardust Terrace Café by Jonathan Byrd’s.

Tickets are available through the links below.

Twilight Tuesdays, 5 – 8 p.m.
November 28 – Capital City Chorus
December 5 – Capital City Chorus
December 12 – TBD
December 19 – TBD
This is a perfect way to brighten your family’s holiday season. Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our annual holiday tradition, Festival of Trees!

Presented by The Salvation Army, this year’s winter wonderland features more than 75 elaborately decorated trees representing individuals, organizations and companies from around Indiana. Eli Lilly Hall also features a massive, 30-foot centerpiece tree that is viewable throughout most of the building.

Also, join us for:
  • Caroling through the Holidays in the Cole Porter Room
  • Interactive display from the movie “A Christmas Story,” sponsored by O’Malia’s Living
Indiana Landmarks

In addition to giving tremendous financial and technical support for the local Courthouse project, Indiana Landmarks provides a wealth of information about and support for vintage homes and factories, churches, barns and bridges.
Support Indiana Landmarks

Join to help save the historic places that make our communities more beautiful, more interesting, singular and special. LINK
Affiliate Membership

The Pulaski County Historical Society is an affiliate member of Indiana Landmarks. For information about the affiliate organizations around the state, and all of the exciting work they are doing, please head over to our Affiliate's Webpage.
Our sponsorship program is new as of January 2023!
The successful operation of the society relies on contributions from members and friends. The Society maintains Membership and Sponsorship programs and collects contributions outside both of those programs.
Leadership

President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary: Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Vacant

Terms Ending 2024
  • Brian Capouch
  • Karen Fritz
  • Judge Michael Shurn
Terms Ending 2025
  • Lenora Hoover
  • Jolie Simmermaker
  • Chris Zahrt
Terms Ending 2026
  • Steve Morrison
  • Anne Scott
  • Dave Scott
Ex Officio: County Historian (also County Genealogist) Mary Conner
Membership

  • Individual ($30)
  • Family ($40)
  • Sustaining / Corporate ($80)

All members are welcome to volunteer with PCHS in any area of their interest and to attend meetings. Board meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month, in person or via Zoom, or a hybrid.

Sponsorship

We value sponsorships, as they support us on an entirely different level! We have the following sponsorship levels:

  • Antiquity ($1,000)
  • Heirloom ($500)
  • Heritage ($250)
  • Legacy ($150)
  • Tradition (Any Amount)
Make a Contribution

In lieu of joining either as a member or a sponsor, you can make a contribution here. This link will assist you in using PayPal or sending a check. A quick and easy way to make a contribution is to utilize this QR code.
Volunteers Manage Their Own Hours

We use SignUp.com to organize our upcoming museum shifts. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

  1. Click this link: https://signup.com/go/RuLRDVM
  2. Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
  3. Sign up! You will not need to register an account or keep a password.

Note: If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Kathi Thompson and she will sign you up manually.
Subscribe to this e-Newsletter

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To submit an article for consideration for this newsletter, send it via email. If you have photos, please submit them as well. We welcome all articles of historic interest regarding Pulaski County.
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