SHANNONDALE HISTORY - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Shannondale was laid out by David A. Shannon, then surveyor of this County on May 15, 1832. it is situated 11 miles E. of Crawfordsville on the Noblesville Road. The E. line of the town is the dividing line between Montgomery & Boone Counties, and there is as good a body of land surrounding the town as any in the state. There are now 25 families living here. We have one Church, an Odd Fellow's lodge, one merchant, five blacksmiths, four carpenters, two boot and shoe makers, two house and sign painters, one wagon maker, three Doctors, a good saw mill and a few loafers. Webster & Palmer, both good businessmen, opened the first store here. he continued a few years and left financially, wrecked. GW Lucas started another store while Webster & Palmer were here. He said butter and eggs broke him so he left. Next came Carson & Sutton and they not only broke themselves but Peter & Isaiah Lane also. Then George Klizer tyried his hand, but soon played out. A Mr. Parker came in next and went away worsted. Mr. TA Adkins came in with a small stock of goods, made some money but not sufficient to keep him here, so he left. JJ Shannon & Brothers tried the business next with a good stock of goods for ten months, then quit because it did not pay. Mr. Adkins then came back, opened a good stock of goods and done very well for a time, sold out to WW Hill and moved to New Ross. Hill did a poor business and sold out to GW Surratt. Just before Surratt's purchase, I.F. Shannon returned and commenced business again. Surratt was sold out at Constable's sale, hiis brother being the purchaser, they continued the business for some time and sold out to IF Shannon who has been doing a very good business since. Now for the drug business. Joseph Hazelwood opened a nice fresh stock of drugs here (plenty of spirtis). He left for want of patronage. Next came Jo Evans with some drugs and plenty of tangle leg. He was sold out by the Sheriff, IF Shannon being the purchaser. Mr. Shannon "kept no spirts" and found the drugs poor sale, and sold them to Dr. Rogers of Fort Red, at a reduced price. The correspondent of the Journal from this place occasionally drops you a line and represents this place as most excellent point to sell drugs and goods. In view of the above statement of facts, it seems to me that TF Adkins and IF Shannon have not been entirely dead, and am certain the inducements are greater for any number of merchants and druggists to come give us 10 anyhow, and 10 good painters to keep the sleepy ones awake. Also 5 or 6 blacksmiths so that every one can have a job each week. This correspondent surely has no ax to grind, doesn't want to sell his house I suppose. It may be he wants some medicine from a drug store to revive his drooping spirits. A flouring mill would do well here. -- kbz