Historical Markers - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

We have some interesting and unique historical markers in our county, some relating to sports, such as the - Howdy Wilcox marker, one of the newer ones erected in 2018 by the Indiana Racing Memorial Association in honor of one great fellow born (June 24, 1889) and raised in Crawfordsville. Howdy was the winner of the 1919 Indianapolis 500.  He was the only driver to have competed in the first eleven Indy 500s.  His death (Sept 4, 1923) was due to a tragic wreck during a race at Tyrone, Pennsylvania.  Then, there’s the Cradle of Basketball - Of course, we all know how important the game of basketball is in our area, and our state, even today and it all began right here in Crawfordsville, Indiana at the YMCA prompted by Rev. Nichola McCay who was from Massachusetts where the game originated.  YMCA members, teams from the HS and Wabash took to the game with finesse and of course was followed by other YMCAs, schools and beyond in the state.  In fact, as most of you know, in 1911, Crawfordsville won the first state basketball championship followed by another Montgomery County school, Wingate.  

Several War Memorials such as the Spanish American War memorial with a large stone reading, “To All Montgomery County Veterans of the War with Spain dated July 4, 1902.  Co. M, 158th Ind Vol. Inf and “Remember the Maine Feb 15, 1898.”  Listed on the stone in individual panels are these names: Charles O. Wilhite, Captain; Capt. Martin V. Wert; Isaac C. Elston, Jr. 1st Lt; George S. Harvey, 2nd Lt.  It was restored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1431 and the Fathers’ Auxiliary 50 and rededicated the 4th of July 1989.  The memorial is on the Joe Allen Parkway east of Mill Street in Milligan Park.  

One I’ve never visited but want to is the “All Veterans in War and Peace,” located at the Oak Hill Cemetery South,” and is for what it notes that it is in appreciation and dedicated to the memory of all the Veterans who served from Montgomery County in War and Peace.”

The large Memorial statue at the court house is for all the wars.  Love the memorials and reading them and discussing them with other historically-oriented folks, but the only problem is what if there’s a mistake?  This is the perfect example. 13 Revolutionary War Soldiers are listed but there are at least eight more and possibly another five. The eight proven would be: Christopher Brant; Nicholas Dorsey; Lot French; George Fruits; Matthias Hanlon; Sam Harshbarger; Gillis Hitch and Robert Pottenger.  

Our county was basically founded upon a religious basis and some of the markers reflect such.  For instance, the oldest Episcopal Church in the state of Indiana was built in 1837 – our own St. John’s.  Located on South Green (212) it is still an active church today and is simply beautiful.  The Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church has been an important backdrop to the community dating back  to 1824 when the first group met in an unfinished log cabin.  Presbyterians founded Wabash College in 1832. This particular structure was erected in 1881, the education wing in 1961.  Education has always been a major interest here and the Presbyterians also began the first free preschool program (1969).  It is a beautifully kept old church and many of our most distinguished citizens and Wabash presidents and professors have attended church here.  

Some are for individuals such as the Lane Place marker, honoring Henry S. Lane, our congressman, governor, senator and chairman of the first Republican National Convention.  Montgomery County is lucky to have such a beautiful home and interesting man to entice visitors to enjoy our local history.  Lew Wallace, of course, has one that highlights his Civil War time (his importance as adjutant general of Indiana, action at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh and Monocacy), governor of New Mexico Territory, minister to Turkey and author of Ben Hur.  Two Elston markers are at the Elston home.  Dr. Mary Holloway Wilhite was one of the first female-trained physicians in the state of Indiana, centering on female and children in her practice.  She was instrumental in founding the Montgomery County Orphan’s Home and was an active suffragette.  

Important places are also on the historical marker listing, such as the Land Office plaque.  Having the land office here was one of the big pushes of making Crawfordsville and Montgomery County so important to our state.  The Carnegie Library, which was of course prompted by a $25,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie.  Several organizations and people were quickly involved to get the library moving and it is an impressive, active museum today.  I adored Dorothy and Fred Luther, but until researching for this article, I did not know that a well-deserved memorial to Dororthy, via Fred’s estate gifting the Shades State Park a 11.8 acre tract which is where they lived and I visited many times.  Dorothy was born in Parke County, was Chief naturalist at Turkey Run, elected the first woman President of the Indiana State Audubon Society in 1950 and taught for 30 years at George Washington HS, Indianapolis. She was an amazing genealogist, as well.  The John Allen Speed cabin, now located on the Lane Place grounds is a testimony of the active part Speed took in the Underground Railroad.  

Other interesting markers in the area includes one I was present at the dedication and our son was dressed representing Peter Cornstalk who was the chief of the Miamis who lived along Cornstalk Creek.  The Old Pioneer Cemetery at Waynetown has a lovely marker with those having fought in the 1812, Mexican and Civil War listed.  Also there is the nice William Bratton plaque explaining his life as a hunger, blacksmith and such, as well as he was with the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  The last of these I’d like to mention is thanks to the Waveland Strong Group.  The original bronze plaque was stolen and this group reerected the Halfway House marker in granite.  The Halfway house was an important place.  William Moore and his family kept a tavern, hotel and trading post which was half-way between Lafayette and Terre Haute.  William Henry Harrison stopped there alone and with his troops as did many important folks along their way.  

Sure there are several more I have missed but you can get a picture here of the importance and excitement of our early times through what we have here!   Want to give special thanks to Al and Marilyn Wolf who travelled the state tallying the memorials, photographing them and writing short descriptions – my what an amazing historical reference!   ---kbz