We want to sincerely thank sponsors and donors of our museum and our programs. With your generosity, we can offer programs that showcase our local residents, their contributions, and share the history of this prominent county in Indiana with our museum guests. Hamilton County Commissioners Steve Dillinger Mark Heirbrandt Christine Altman Become a Corporate or Event Sponsor! Please consider becoming a corporate sponsor or event sponsor for HCHS . Your company can receive exposure to local residents and tourists alike by sponsoring any of the HCHS events or activities. We are available to meet at your convenience to discuss an opportunity to enhance your company, our community and the Hamilton County Historical Society. Thank you! Contact us at info@hamiltoncoinhs.com or 317-770-0775 .

Dottie Young: A Life Rooted in Hamilton County Mark Passwater in the jail office By Nancy A. Massey, Hamilton County Historical Society, Board Director Two days before her birthday, Sandra Lynch and I sat down with Dottie Young at the Hamilton East Public Library for a conversation about her life and her reflections on living in Hamilton County. The interview was part of the Hamilton County Historical Society’s ongoing oral history initiative—an effort to preserve the lived experiences of longtime residents whose stories illuminate the county’s past and guide its future. Dorothy “Dottie” Jane Zeiss Young was born on August 7, 1946, in the old Harrell Hospital on 9th Street in Noblesville. Her early morning arrival marked the beginning of a life deeply interwoven with the land, people, and traditions of Hamilton County. Raised in Clarksville—a small community nestled between Noblesville and Pendleton—Dottie’s childhood unfolded in a world of barns, bicycles, and neighborly trust. She fondly calls it “a golden time.” Dottie’s family roots in the area stretch back to the 1830s. On her father’s side, the Zeiss family came from Tiffin, Ohio, traveling by train with their livestock and even their dog to settle in Wayne Township. Her mother’s lineage includes the Careys, Paulsels, and Lehrs—names etched into the cemeteries, church rolls, and civic records of Hamilton County. Her great-grandfather Carey fought in the Civil War and later cared for orphans in Westfield. Her grandmother was born in a log cabin on Hinkle Creek and attended the Quaker church in Noblesville. Dottie’s early years were filled with freedom and imagination. “We’d ride our bikes, play hide-and-seek in barns, and explore abandoned buildings,” she recalls. “Nobody worried. You just had to be home for supper.” She remembers the Mexican families who moved into an old lodge building, how the children taught her Spanish, and how her father ran electricity from his shop to help them. The local church pitched in with food and support. “It was a beautiful time,” she says. “We didn’t have much, but we had each other.” The Clarksville Masonic Lodge—once the second-longest continuously active in Indiana—played a central role in the town’s social calendar, especially during its legendary December oyster suppers. Dottie fondly remembers the pump organ tucked in the corner. The lodge was a place of fraternity and charity. Its furniture was eventually moved to Noblesville, where it lives on—restored, repurposed, and preserved. Her family home sat across from the historic residence of Abraham and Sarah Nicholson, the town’s founders. Over time, it became a gas station, then a beloved neighborhood landmark. “We lived on Highway 38, now the Bataan Memorial Highway,” Dottie says. “I always joked I’d name my life story ‘My Life on the Bataan Highway… or How Can I Get Off This Road?’” When one of the two general stores burned down in the 1950s, Clarksville had no fire department. Locals formed a bucket brigade from the Masonic Lodge pump in Clarksville. “It was like a scene from an old movie,” she recalls. Her father’s shop, once a blacksmith shop built in the 1840s to attract tradesmen to the territory, stood as a symbol of Clarksville’s working-class resilience. Dottie’s father, Richard, was a cabinetmaker and a self-taught artist with extraordinary talent. From Roman-themed illustrations for the 1929 Noblesville Shadow yearbook to advertising murals for theaters in Bloomington, Omaha, and Davenport, his legacy shines in photos and ink. Dottie inherited his creativity—and his conviction that art gives dignity to history. Her mother, Thelma, worked as a nanny before marrying and later took a position at Butler University alongside her husband as caretakers of Ross Hall. Dottie attended Durbin Elementary School, where kindergarten didn’t yet exist, and completed eighth grade in Wayne Township. At the time, the township didn’t offer high school, so students had to choose between Noblesville, Lapel, or Walnut Grove. Dottie chose Noblesville, following in the footsteps of her parents, grandparents, and siblings. She became a cheerleader—an unexpected honor for a girl from Durbin—and took the role seriously. “There were only five of us,” she says. “We had a cheer block. It was organized and passionate—not like today’s squads.” After high school, Dottie worked at RCA in Indianapolis to save money for college. She attended Indiana University, working multiple jobs to support herself, including scheduling appointments for Kirby vacuum sales and working in Bloomington schools. Her determination and work ethic were shaped by her family’s example—her father worked three jobs to put her brother through Purdue’s chemical engineering program. Dottie’s professional life included teaching in Indianapolis Public Schools and raising her daughter, Emily. But her heart remained in Hamilton County, where she became a tireless advocate for historical preservation, community service, and civic engagement. She joined the Hamilton County Historical Society in 1973 during the county’s sesquicentennial and has served in nearly every leadership role since, except treasurer. She helped launch the Flower Faire, organized teas and style shows, and traveled across the county collecting oral histories from service veterans and donations. Her involvement extended to the Cemetery Commission, where she worked to protect and restore neglected burial grounds. “I hate to see vandalism and neglect,” she says. “We led the way for other counties.” She’s also been a longtime member of Tri Kappa, a philanthropic sorority that allowed her to serve others even when resources were tight. “It’s a wonderful sisterhood,” she says. “You get to help people in meaningful ways.” One of Dottie’s proudest achievements was helping save the Sheriff’s Residence and Old Jail from demolition in the 1990s. “They wanted to tear it down for parking,” she recalls. “Irvin Heath threatened to chain himself to the porch. People thought it was just old—but it was historic.” The building was eventually restored, including its tower, which had been destroyed by a tornado in 1948. She remembers stories of girls avoiding the 8th Street side because prisoners would yell crude things through the windows. Former inmates have returned to show their children where they once stayed—some of their drawings still visible on the walls. At a recent museum open house, a woman said, “This is beautiful... and I wanted it torn down. Was I crazy?” Dottie reflects, “Some people can’t see the potential beneath age and wear. But if enough of us do, we can change minds.” Her reflections on Noblesville’s growth are tinged with both pride and concern. “I remember driving with my mom and seeing the lights from Indianapolis. I said, ‘Maybe someday they’ll come here.’ She said, ‘I hope not—too many people.’” Dottie has watched subdivisions replace cornfields, historic homes vanish, and barns collapse. She mourns the loss of landmarks like the Opera House and the Armory, where she once cheered at county-wide basketball tournaments. “We need to slow down and think before we tear things down,” she says. “Maintenance matters. Appreciation matters.” Dottie’s passion for preservation is matched by her love of storytelling. Her family photos—colorized portraits, snapshots in galvanized tubs, church gatherings, and memento mori images—tell stories of resilience, humor, and heartbreak. She speaks of her grandmother who died of tuberculosis, her cousin who drank disinfectant, and her great-grandfather who was kicked by a horse and lay by a fence post for three days before dying. “History isn’t perfect,” she says. “But it’s ours.” Some family photos hint at deeper stories: a possible memento mori photograph of a layered ancestor, haunting and serene. Others spark laughter—like her grandfather’s sleigh tipping in the snow, rolling out a very round passenger who simply laughed, got up, and rode on. She’s especially concerned about the loss of cursive writing. “If kids don’t learn it, they won’t be able to read the letters their ancestors left behind,” she says. “I tried to share a letter my cousin wrote to my mother when she was dying. My children couldn’t read it.” Today, Dottie lives in Noblesville, watching the landscape change and remembering the people who shaped it. She speaks with reverence about her neighbors, her teachers, and her family. Her message to future generations is clear: Appreciate the past. Preserve what you can. Ask questions. Stay curious. “I used to think everything was perfect,” she says. “But we’re made of people. Not all of them are perfect—but we keep striving.” “History isn’t flawless, but it’s ours to reckon with. That’s why I believe so strongly in preserving and knowing our past—good, bad, and complicated.” In sharing her story, Dottie Young has given Hamilton County a gift—not just of memory, but of meaning. Her life reminds us that history lives in barns and bridges, in handwritten letters and family photographs, in laughter and loss. And most of all, in the voices of those who remember. With stories like hers, Hamilton County doesn’t just remember its past—it learns from it. Mark and Marjorie on a date

History Books Delve into Hamilton County history! Build your own bundle of books for just $30 -Visit us today! While visiting the museum, please browse through our selection of books and gifts. Celebrating Hamilton County, Indiana: 200 Years of Change On the occasion of Hamilton County’s 200th anniversary comes an updated history of one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. Celebrating Hamilton County, Indiana: 200 Years of Change builds on past histories of the county while introducing new stories, people, photography, and art to modern readers. Buy your copy at Nickel Plate Arts, All Things Carmel, Conner Prairie or from the Hamilton County Historical Society (Saturdays, 12-5 p.m.). (Please contact the individual retailer to confirm operating hours.) Hardcover Book $42.50 Explore neglected corners of Hamilton County history Hamilton County's past harbors sundry strange tales, many of them lost to time--until now. In 1867, a groom disappeared just before his wedding, presumably running away on cold feet. Four decades later his remains were discovered buried under a shed in a mystery that remains unsolved. In the 1870s, the Sheriff marshaled a seven-man posse, including two local African Americans, to deal with "desperados'? in an isolated corner of the county. Their heroic efforts swiftly liberated the local populous from the yoke of banditry. A giant wave of ravenous squirrels descended on Central Indiana in 1882 to feast on crops, to the shock and dismay of new settlers. Paperback $22.00 Join county historian David Heighway for a tour of all things odd and forgotten. Since 1824, Noblesville has served as the county seat for Hamilton County, Indiana. Located on the White River just north of Indianapolis, Noblesville grew from rural beginnings, changing as businesses and industry moved into the area, which was encouraged by the discovery of natural gas. This book documents the history, community life, and growth of Noblesville using stories and photographs collected from local residents, historians, church archives, the Hamilton County Historical Society, and the Hamilton East Public Library. These photographs bring the daily life of this Midwest community vividly into view. Paperback $22.00 Noblesville's transformation from small town to one of Indiana's largest cities is a fascinating story. From the earliest settlers struggling for survival on Horseshoe Prairie in 1819 through the heady times of the 1880s Gas Boom era to today, the city thrived with uncommon personalities and landmark events. Discover the stories of former slave Reverend Barney Stone, daredevil Earl "Lucky" Teter and renowned fashion designer Norman Norell. Delve into the account of the Great Flood of 1913 and the origin of the nation's first independent telephone company. Join authors Paula Dunn and Nancy A. Massey on a journey through Noblesville's unique history. Paperback $22.00 Local Historian Joe H Burgess Included are Civil war stories from Hamilton County families. Stories from the drummers to front line battles and the Hamilton County soldiers who were a part of this history. Hardback book $15.00 Floyd Hopper Print $35.00 Wooden Display $15.00 Blue Sun Catcher $15.00 Maroon Sun Catcher $15.00 Note Cards Packs for $5.00 By Local Artist - Sarah Kenley 8 x 11 Prints $10.00 by Local Artists

2026 Events Indiana Peony Festival - May 17, 2026 Buzz on the Square - June 5-6, 2026 The event was sponsored by the Hamilton County Historical Society US250 - Local History Fair - June 20, 2026 The event was sponsored by the Hamilton East Public Library

The Trial of DC Stephenson T he trial of DC Stephenson took place in Hamilton County Indiana 100 years ago. This was one of the most significant legal trials in our county’s history. DC. Stephenson felt he was above all laws due to his leadership of the Klan in Indiana and the support of many politicians. He was charged with rape and murder of Marge Oberholtzer and it was her detailed testimony before her death that was instrumental in the outcome of the trial. We acknowledge that at the time of the trial, there was significant local support for the KKK, but when justice was in the balance 12 men found Stephenson guilty ushering in the collapse of the KKK. The Hamilton County Historical Society and many other organizations are providing educational programs for our current citizens; providing educational programs not to celebrate but to examine a difficult history and reflect on how far we have come in the last century and how much further we still need to go. Hamilton County https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hamilton-co-historic-jail-and-courthouse-guided-tour-stephenson-trial-tickets-1111621031429?aff=oddtdtcreator The Hamilton County Current Article*The Hamilton County Historical Society condemns the actions and beliefs of the KKK. One hundred years ago, a trial took place on our grounds, and thanks to the citizens of Hamilton County, a horrific hate organization was dismantled and lost its grip on Indiana. We are providing spaces for our current citizens not to celebrate, but to examine a difficult history and reflect on how far we have come in the last century and how much further we still need to go. We are working with the Current and asking them to correct this and future stories on this subject. 2025 EVENTS Annual Meeting - December 7th, 2025 2:00 - 4:00 Noblesville Presbyterian Church Hamilton County and the Civil War Presenters: Kevin Yaney- Civil War Expert and Novelist Jason Shonkwiler - Civil War Expert and Civil War Reenactor We will be serving: Smoked meat [pork and beef] vegetables, fruit and cake Kevin Yaney SRO Jason Shonkwiler March 9th, 2025 2:00 PM - This event has passed. The Orphan Trains and who they brought to Noblesville in 1929 Come join us at the Hamilton East Public Library to learn about the fascinating history of the Orphan Trains and the impact they had on Noblesville in 1929. Discover the stories of the children who were brought to our community and the lasting legacy they left behind. This in-person event is a unique opportunity to delve into a lesser-known chapter of our town's history October 3rd and 4th 2025 - Haunted Jail - This event has passed. The Hamilton County Historical Society relies on the generosity of our community to thrive. If you enjoyed the Haunted Jail, we invite you to contribute a donation using one of the following links: $5 Donation $10 Donation $25 Donation Oct 21, 2025 - Homstead at Fieldgate Farm - This event has passed.

Use the provided link to donate to the Hamilton County Historical Society or pay for gift shop items. Donate The Hamilton County Historical Society relies on the generosity of our community to thrive. We invite you to contribute to our mission of preserving local history and making it accessible to everyone. Your support is vital to our ongoing efforts to preserve and share our community's rich history. Any contribution, large or small, will make a significant difference. Button Donate By clicking the 'Donate Button' you will be redirected to our safe and secure ZEFFY donation site. All transactions are secure and encrypted. You will choose the amount of your support. It will also take your name and contact information for us. Our most sincere thanks for any donation that you can give to us.

Join HCHS Donate A heartfelt invitation to start a membership with us! We'd love for you to share the joy of history by inviting your family, friends, and anyone passionate about the past to join our organization. Your membership and unwavering dedication are the backbone of our efforts to preserve Hamilton County's rich history and fund future projects. Together, we can sponsor impactful programs that bring awareness of our local stories to life for everyone. The Hamilton County Historical Society relies on the generosity of our community to thrive. We invite you to contribute to our mission of preserving local history and making it accessible to everyone. Your support is vital to our ongoing efforts to preserve and share our community's rich history. Any contribution, large or small, will make a significant difference.

The Parlo r Like most parlors in the day, ours is located at the front of the home. Parlors were intended for special occasions. Children dare not tread into the parlor. The parlor was typically the only room in the home that had a large carpet. The room may have been kept locked for most of the winter months when not in use so they did not have to heat it. Most parlors either a piano or organ in the room. We are fortunate to have a Kimball pump organ Kimball Pump Organ Kimball (W. W.) Co. William W. Kimball, a native of Maine, moved from Iowa to Chicago in 1857, when he was 29 years old. Kimball made a living by renting pianos and selling sheet music. By the 1870s, his music store reported annual sales of nearly $1 million. At the beginning of the 1880s, Kimball opened his first factory, which made organs and pianos, at 26th and Rockwell Streets. By 1900, W. W. Kimball & Co. employed about 1,500 people at this facility. By the 1910s, the company was turning out more than 13,000 pianos each year, making it one of the top 10 manufacturers in the U.S. piano industry. During the 1950s, when it moved its main plant and general offices to suburban Melrose Park, the company continued to employ hundreds of Chicago-area residents. In 1959, Kimball was purchased by the Jasper Corp. of Jasper, Indiana, a maker of television cabinets; the piano plant moved to West Baden, Indiana. In 1974 the name of Jasper Corp. became Kimball International Inc.; at the end of the century, this company was still making Kimball pianos. WW Kimball made 13 types of pump organs. This type is fittingly called the parlor organ. Wilson, MR January 18, 2024. Encyclopedia of Chicago, http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2740.html About The Pump Organ Pump organs are interesting musical instruments. Human beings have always been interested in creating a culture wherever they ended up settling, and we see that this isn’t limited to a particular region or part of the world. Of course, they came up with their own instruments and unique instruments, as well. Many people might not be familiar with the pump organ, but it has quite a rich history that can’t be denied. One of the reasons that pump organs gained popularity centuries ago is because they were often times more portable than pipe organs. It became a staple of many affluent homes, and some churches ended up adopting pump organs rather than pipe organs, as well. A pump organ is also called a “harmonium.” The pump organ ended up being replaced by the electric organ, but it had several decades of popularity. You can still find it being used by certain musicians, but you are not as likely to hear a harmonium in modern times. However, it is still used in Indian music and Pakistani music. The pump organ works by pushing air past a piece of thin metal (called a “reed”). It should be noted that while a pump organ can sound incredible, it is somewhat limited in tone. The pump organ was most popular between 1850 and 1930. You can hear the pump organ in the work of many classic artists, from Debussy, to Bach, to Franz Liszt. From The Keyboard Experts, January 24th, 2024 https://www.pianoorganrepair.com/a-brief-history-of-pump-organs Parlor Fireplace In 1978, our museum underwent a huge renovation. From 1972 to 1977 the home was only used as a jail and sheriff office. They had taken over the family portion of the home for much needed office and jail space. The before and after of this fireplace shows the great strides that we made in getting back as closely as we can to the original look of the residence. The room was usually cold and originally fires were started with coal. In the 1880's there was a natural gas boom in Indiana, and the fireplace would most likely have been converted at that time. The Family Bible – The original Ancestry.com Prior to easily retrievable birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and digitized record keeping in general, the family Bible held the ultimate narrative of ancestral history. They are a treasure trove for both genealogists and historians. Often, the family Bible was the only written record of births, marriages, and deaths of loved ones. In addition, between the leaves of this precious possession one could expect to find a wealth of newspaper clippings, letters, photos, and other ephemera pressed for safekeeping over generations of forbears. It was understood that the book was to be carefully guarded and passed along. Source: https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2019/09/family-bible.html Parlor – Wool Rug By the late 1700s, an important innovation occurred: the ingrain carpet. These bold flat-pile wool floor coverings were made on a more sophisticated loom that could produce elaborate geometric and floral patterns. The most popular colors were red, yellow, and green. Since ingrain carpets were machine-made, they were relatively affordable and were found increasingly in middle-class homes. Ingrain carpets retained their popularity well into the 1800s. We are fortunate to have a wool rug for our parlor in such great condition considering it is most likely over 150 years old. We love that the colors are still so vibrant and beautiful. American author Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his mournful poetry and eerie short stories. He also had plenty to say about what we today call interior design. In an 1840 essay about interior decorating , Poe states, “A carpet is the soul of the apartment.”

Bicentennial Gallery Revisit 45+ Events Across Hamilton County's Nine Townships Historical photos provide a rich perspective of our history that words simply can't capture. During Hamilton County's Bicentennial, photographer Daniel Grose crisscrossed the county to photograph hundreds of people at Bicentennial happenings. From our opening celebration at The Palladium in Carmel to our closing Bicentennial Bash in December 2023, grant-funded programs welcomed an estimated 15,250 attendees.

Past Events in 2024 Front Porch Music Festival June 7th, 2024 Emma Clouse a museum volunteer and docent performed on our front porch for this June 2024 event. She was wonderful ! A Day at the Barn June 9th, 2024 Sid Davis welcomed the Historical Society members and guests to visit his barn. Mr. Davis is an avid collector of Hamilton County items and we were honored that he shared them with us. Mr. Davis shared some Forest Park pictures and an amusement ride. He told us of the many items that he had gotten from the ground using his metal detector. Some items date back to the Civil War. Prints from local artist Rodney Reveal of the Blue Ribbon Dairy and the Rainbow Roller Rink. The crowd of over 30 people were glad to see his collection and hear his stories.

Oral Histories Oral histories are a bread and butter resource for local historical societies like us. Here's how they help us connect: Capturing personal experiences : Local history isn't just about dates and big events. It's about the lives of everyday people. Oral histories capture the stories, experiences, and perspectives of those who lived through a particular time period in your local area. This can provide unique insights you wouldn't get from written documents. Preserving the past : Many historical events aren't well documented, especially those that impact marginalized communities. Oral histories ensure these stories are preserved for future generations. Filling in the gaps : Written records can be incomplete. Oral histories can fill in the gaps and provide context to existing documents. Local stories come alive : Oral histories make history relatable and engaging. Hearing firsthand accounts from community members makes the past more real for everyone. As we interview more families associated with the Hamilton County Historical Society and the Sheriff's Residence and Jail, we will add more stories here.