On April 3, 1974, the largest tornado outbreak of the 20th century hit 13 states, including Indiana, and became known as the 1974 Super Outbreak. Twenty-one of the 148 tornadoes occurred in Indiana, including one that traveled more than 100 miles on the ground. Federal disaster areas were declared in more than a third of the state.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of these devastating storms, and IDHS commemorated the widespread disaster with an interactive map telling the stories of the tornadoes and those who lived through them.

Using a mix of maps, photos, videos and newspaper articles, the story map shares details about all 21 tornadoes in Indiana. It also features personal stories and photos submitted by Hoosiers, and the project provides background information on the meteorological conditions that formed the outbreak.

Also included are National Weather Service changes that came after the event, documentaries about the day and 50th anniversary commemorations.

IDHS thanks the historical societies and other organizations for sharing the story submission form that helped make this story map possible. The form remains open at https://on.in.gov/1974-outbreak-memories.

This is the twelfth in a Series of Reminiscences by E. R. Brown. Pulaski County Democrat, May 4, 1922.

It must be admitted that, while this subject is of peculiar interest to the writer and that the fingers holding the pen have been itching for the work, this article is begun with a clear understanding that its statement will not in all cases be swallowed whole. The estimate placed upon fish stories, particularly along the Tippecanoe, forbids all hope of the most favorable reception of this one. As a sort of olive branch, meekly extended beforehand to the fishing fraternity, I may say that all reports of personal catches, ancient or modern, and of whoppers that got away, have been sorrowfully blue-penciled. And yet, if those who now spend a strenuous afternoon fighting venomous flies and mosquitoes and loosening hooks and lines from overhanging limbs and sunken driftwood, then come home at night dead tired, thirsty enough to drink the well dry and hungry enough to eat a raw potato, but proudly bearing a few hapless google-eyes or sunfish five or six inches long (often less), should consider the statements of what used to be true of our still beautiful and clear-flowing river as being overdrawn, if not decidedly ‘fishy,’ who can blame them? I confess that these changes along many lines almost seem mythical to me sometimes.

Full disclosure: the photo above is a combination of two photographs Photoshopped together to show the full crowd. And it is an unprofessional Photoshop at that!

If you have a collection of artifacts from Pulaski County or Indiana you would like to put on display please contact the historical society.

Join the Pulaski County Genealogist on April 13, and the same person (Mary Conner), this time as the Pulaski County Historian, on May 11. Bring your questions!

A big thanks go out to the 5 children and their families that came out for the Children's Storytime at the museum on Saturday, March 9th. Fun times were had by all.

We went on adventures with Pete the Cat, Poopsie, Lucky Duck, The Cat in the Hat as well as Penny and Pip.

Each child created their very own shamrock pin to take home! Please watch for more events like this at the museum!

NOTE: We did not take photos of the children. Mary Conner & Rhonda Wilson were the hosts!

Look for Miss Rhonda to visit the museum on a regular basis. We will announce her arrival in advance and tell you which exciting topic she will talk about.

In this picture, she considers the Potawatomi, the Keepers of the Fire and the original inhabitants of what is now Pulaski County.

We're not certain when she'll teach children about this bit of local history, but it will certainly be on the list.

Keep an eye on Facebook to learn of her upcoming appearances.

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Medaryville Herald, July 23, 1964

(Copied as written)

I am sending you a remembrance of my first knowledge of Main Street in Medaryville. That was long ago, I also remember the first Medaryville paper, it sure was different from now.

As I remember Main street of Medaryville 77 years ago [1887]; on the north side (going East) was the Evert Hotel, then a room used by traveling salesmen, a small building, then the Emory Low home, next Horner’s store and the Horner Home. Next Grandpa Kain home then the Doliver Home and the cemetery. On the south side of the street were the Wilson buildings, a large barn, then the home. Across the street was the Alfred Williams home, then the store building that the Williams Brothers owned; then the post office, the Charles Kain home, a small building, next was a harness shop, a small restaurant owned by the Horners and the Depot.

Across the RR track going west, first the Low Brothers Store, then Oscar Hunt drugstore, Posey’s store, Sim Lows home, a vacant lot next, then the Stoffle home, an old cow shed, the Grandpa Faulk home, another vacant lot, then Grandma Long home, Frank Dunn home, next half lot of fruit trees, then the Bartz home. Across the street going west an old house which now stands empty which belonged to a widow lady I can’t remember her name, then 11 acre field, next Grandpa Miller home, the Catholic church, Mr. Frederichs store, Lows salt shed, Jim Harmons iron foundry, Kawalls saloon, a small home I do not know who owned it, next grandma Mitchell home, and Bill Tilton home, very few of the old buildings still are there.

The first brick school house, a 2 room building was built 77 years ago where the Garment Factory now stands. How well I remember my first year at school, so nice to go to the new school house. The first teacher for the lower classes was Frank O’Connler. Thank you Mrs. Flossie A. Poisel

Signed: Hebron

Photo from the Town of Medaryville website. Main Street 1898.

Photo from the Town of Medaryville website. Horner's Store & Medaryville State Bank 1902.

Photo from the Town of Medaryville website. Downtown Medaryville.

That website can be found HERE.

Medaryville Advertiser, June 26, 1913

Some cut-up signing himself T. C. Hollway, perhaps a smart-alec subscription solicitor who failed to do as good a business hereabout as he might have done, writes this charming ballad for the Farmer’s Guide:

There’s a quiet old place,

In a region way back,

Tis a one-horse town

They call Winamac.

The farmers down there,

On that Winamac land,

Plant corn on the muck

And beans in the sand.

Three beans in a hill

They plant there for luck,

One pulling, one pushing

‘Till the third comes up.

No success can they have

Until they have tried

The rules of good farming

In the Old Farmer’s Guide.

—T. C. Holloway

From do-it-yourself workshops to tours, concerts, parties, films, and talks, our events will educate and entertain you. More information can be found HERE.

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