Condit House

Condit House was built in 1860. The well preserved italianate structure was the oldest building on campus. Originally, it was the private residence of the Reverend Blackford Condit family from 1862-1962. Reverend Blackford Condit, and his wife Sara Louisa Mills Condit bought the house from Houriet in 1863.
Miss Helen Condit, Sara and Reverend's daughter gave the property to Indiana State in 1962. The House was first used as an Alumni Center, and later on it was restored and remodeled in 1968. It became the official home of the university's president in 1992. President Bradley and his wife currently reside there.

In this photo: Helen Condit

Women's Physical Education Building 1962

In the early days of Indiana State University, sports weren't given enough attention. The facilities weren't properly built, and didn't meet the requirements of a safe and productive environment. In 1895 when North Hall was constructed, a space was reserved for a gymnasium.
In 1896 the baseball team earned their first victory after defeating the Polytechnic team. The program of athletics had begun, and the school sponsored extra-curricular activities in the field of Physical Education.
1928 Indiana State finally built a new Physical Education building that offered proper facilities for physical training, with storerooms, locker rooms. offices and two different floors for women and men. The seating capacity of the gymnasium where men participated in intercollegiate contests was of approximately three thousand.

Fairbanks Hall

Fairbanks Hall was remodeled 1984. The building was converted into a studio and classroom space for the ISU Art Department.
On February 2, 1903 Crawford Fairbanks, a businessman and philanthropist, announced his intention to build a public library to be named Emeline Fairbanks, in his mother's honor.
On August 11, 1906 they announced the openning of the library building to the public, and on that Monday, the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library opened for business.
Indiana State University gained possesion of the Public Library in 1978. The building was renovated and renamed Fairbanks Hall.

Indiana State Normal School

Indiana State Normal School (ISNS) was created with the persuasion of Dr. Sporttswood, and Judge Baskin E Rhoads on December 20, 1865. The School was constructed with the help of donations of land, money and buildings. It first opened to students on January 6, 1870. It was partially constructed and its equipment was poor.
On April 8, 1888 The School's campus was completly destroyed by fire. This catastrophic event was described as "the most single catastrophe that could happen to Terre Haute" The building was only 18 years old when it burned on fire.
People in the community supported the university by proving donations of money to help rebuild the school.
Years later, Indiana State Normal School became Indiana State University.

The Wabash River

The name of our Wabash River actually has a meaning. Its French name is “Quabache” and “Wabash” is an English spelling of it.
Traders from France named the river after the Miami-Native American word for the river, “waapaahšiiki”, which means “it shines white”. In Huntington County, Indiana, the bottom of the river is limeston. “It shines white” reflected the clarity of the river, a unique characteristic that made this river particularly especial.
The beauty of the Wabash River is no longer appreciated or seen due to water pollution and agricultural siltation that have affected it. This makes it impossible for people to see its bottom.

AH Goodwill Dump "N" Run!

The ISU American Humanics Student Association will be holding a Goodwill drive on our campus tomorrow, from 7:30 am to 4 pm. They will be located at 5th and Chestnut, between Pickerl Hall and HMSU pay lot.
It's a great way to get rid of unwanted items and get tax deductions. Come and support their cause!

Fire at Blumberg... The Day After!

I found this videos in YouTube. A student shooted this video the day after the fire accident.

Did you know...? Fire at Blumberg Hall (2008)

The fire was reported shortly after 11:30 pm in the 11th floor. Blumberg Hall, as all of us know, is a 12-story residence hall that houses approximately 420 freshmen students. The incident happened on Sunday, January 27, 2008. The Public Safety Department and the Terre Haute Fire Department responded to the fire call. According to a preliminary investigation, a candle left unattended in room 1105 was the cause of the fire. That room, and also rooms 1104 and 1106 were damaged. According to the office of Public Safety a resident assistant, and three emergency responders were treated for smoke inhalation, and one student suffered of an asthma attack. University officials determinated that 10th, 11th and 12th floors of the building were unsuitable for students to return. Blumberg residents were evacuated and sheltered temporarily inside the HSMU, in the food court area.

Clara Fairbanks Home for Aged Women

Clara Clollett Fairbanks was born in August 14, 1840. She was the youngest of nine daughters and Steven, her father, was a state senator who represented the counties of Vermillion and Parke. When Clara was three years old, his father died, and left her a large fortune.
Clara got a good education at Potter School. She married Crawford Fairbanks, a local and very successful businessman on December 31, 1872.
Clara was very interested in women's studies and particulary their health. She got involved in many charitable organizations and donated large amounts of money to support their cause. She also spent most of her time volunteering and helping others.
In 1924, Clara and her husband Crawford built at the corner of North 7th St. and Eighth Avenue. This home was named "Clara Fairbanks Old Ladies Home". It was a special home for aged women who were alone, rather poor, and needed care. It's mission was to provide shelter, and give comfort and dignity to old women.
The home closed in February 1986, and the property was purchased by Union Hospital. Clara Fairbanks is still remembered for her great contribution to women's causes and benefits, and her lifelong commitment to women in need.

Terre Haute House

It was the heart of Terre Haute's city and the epicenter of social activities like formal dances, parties and conventions that brought the members of the community together. The Terre Haute House was a historic hotel located in downtown Terre Haute, at the northeast corner of 7th and Wabash.
Important and famous people like the US 35th president John F. Kennedy, Al Capote and others hosted at the Terre Haute House.
Despite numerous efforts to preserve it, the building was demolished and replaced by a Hilton Gardenn Inn Hotel.
It's frustrating to know that buildings that were unique treasures of Terre Haute have been demolished or torn down. Why was this building demolished instead of remodeled like our college of Education?

Tom Roznowski Talks about his book

If you want to know why Roznowski was so interested in writing a book about Terre Haute, watch this video!

The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash

Daniel W. Voorhees was born on September 26, 1827 Butler County, Ohio. When he was young, his family moved to Fountain County, Indiana. Voorhees graduated from Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University) in 1849.
In 1857 Voorhees moved to Terre Haute. In 1858 he was elected US. district-attorney for the state of Indiana. In 1861 he was a Democratic Representative in Congress, and in 1877 he was an active member of the US. Senate. Voorhees used his influences to establish the library of the Congress.

Kenneth M. Stampp, an outstanding proffesor and lecturer that received the American Historical Association Award for Scholarly Distinction in 1989, described the unique spirit of Voorhees: "There was an earthy quality in Voorhees, "the tall sycamore of the Wabash." On the stump his hot temper, passionate partisanship, and stirring eloquence made an irresistible appeal to the western Democracy. His bitter cries against protective tariffs and national banks, his intense race prejudice, his suspicion of the eastern Yankee, his devotion to personal liberty, his defense of the Constitution and state rights faithfully reflected the views of his constituents. Like other Jacksonian agrarians he resented the political and economic revolution then in progress. Voorhees idealized a way of life which he thought was being destroyed by the current rulers of his country. His bold protests against these dangerous trends made him the idol of the Democracy of the Wabash Valley". [Stampp, p. 211]

Voorhees had a successful career, and his accomplishments will always be part of Terre Haute's history.

Jane D. Shackelford

Jane Dabney Shackelford was born in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1895. She graduated from a high school in Logansport, Indiana and then entered Indiana State Normal School where she received her Bachelor of Arts in 1919.
Shackelford taught in the Terre Haute public school system for more than 40 years. She wrote her first book, The Child's Story of the Negro, and published in 1938. The revised edition of the book was published in 1956.





Shackelford pictured with her class at Booker T. Washington School during National Negro History Week, February 1969. Photograph by Martin's Studio. Image from Indiana Odyssey: Celebrating our African American Authors website.

An inspiring place...

The Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library was built in 1960 by the Modern Construction Company of Terre Haute. This building played a vital role in Coca-Cola's history. In June 1915, Earl R. Dean and T. Clyde Edwards went to the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library to research the ingredients of Coca-Cola. Dean was inspired by a picture of a gourd-shaped cocoa pod. His fascination led him to the creation of the iconic contour Coca-Cola bottle.

The Root Glass Company

Coca Cola Company launched a national competition in which bottle manufactures accross the United States would be ask to design a unique and distinctive bottle. The Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana came out with the curvy design of the bottle and won the competition in 1915. Earl R. Dean worked for the Root Glass Company as the bottle designer, and was the one who designed the famous contour of the Coca Cola bottle. Dean was inspired by a picture of a cocoa pod, and then created a pencil sketch of it. From the sketch, Dean designed the distinctive bottle that won the competition.

The Grand Opera House

The Grand Opera House was located on 7th and Cherry St. The building opened in November 1897. The Grand Opera House was a place of entertainment that hosted, besides opera, plays, minstrel shows, and local religious and political gatherings.

Terre Haute was known as the "entertainment pub"at the time. Some of the performers that appeared onstage were Ethel Barrymore, Al Jonson, , Lilliam Rusell, Phillip Sousa, and George M. Cohan.

When movies replaced live entertainment by the early 30's, the Grand Opera became the Grand Theater, but sadly it was torn down in August of 1960 after a last farewell banquet was held in the Grand.

Picture: Looking North in 7th St. from Wabash Ave. showing Government building, Grand Opera House, an Rose Dispensary

Great Larry Bird!

I want to share this video with all of you:

Finish NOW for the kids!

The Children's Museum of Terre Haute is a special place that inspires attitudes and career choices, and that motivates the children of our community to learn, explore and participate in educational activities. The Children's Museum has a new project called: FINISH IT NOW FOR THE KIDS! They want to build a new facility on the corner of 8th St. and Wabash Ave. This new building is a $5 investment.

A group of classmates and myself are putting together a fund-raising event for the Chidren's Museum. "Strolling for the Kids" is the name of our event that will take place on April, Monday 26th from 7 to 10 pm, at DEDE II and III. All you have to do is DANCE! Admission is $2.00. Come and support the Children's Museum and our community.

FINISH IT NOW FOR THE KIDS!