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.

Sheriff's Residence and Jail Museum in Noblesville, Indiana. Also known as the Hamilton County Historical Society. More than a JAIL Engage History, Embrace Today, Empower Tomorrow What's happening? Mission To preserve and interpret the history of Hamilton County, create an interest, awareness, and appreciation of our history, and be a clearing house for county-wide historical preservation. Vision HCHS will be the trusted, welcoming hub for Hamilton County history connecting residents and visitors to accurate stories, strong collections, and meaningful partnerships while strengthening the Sheriff’s Residence & Jail Museum as a must-visit destination. OUR HOURS Fridays and Sa turdays 11 am - 3 pm We schedule tours for groups other days of the week. Please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to schedule a tour if we are available. Email us at: info@hamiltoncoinhs.com CONTACT US Thank you. We will be in conctact soon. Submit Home: Contact

The mission of the Hamilton County Historical Society is to preserve and interpret the history of Hamilton County, create an interest, awareness and appreciation of our history and be a clearinghouse for county wide historical preservation. Board of Directors President - Deb Musselman Lorenz Vice President - Scott Southard Treasurer - Toni Dickover Secretary - Laura Reuter Board Members At Large Mary Figueroa Bryan Glover Janet Phillips Stanton Renner Nancy Massey Dottie Young Kate Murray Director Emeritus - Diane Nevitt Museum Director - Sandra Lynch Hamilton County Historian - David Heighway Hamilton County Genealogist - Nancy Massey Listings of Historical Societies in Hamilton County and Indiana Carmel Clay Historical Society https://carmelclayhistory.org/ Fishers Historical Society https://fishershistory.com/ Sheridan Historical Society https://www.sheridanhistoricalsociety.net/ Westfield Historical Society https://www.wwhs.us/ Nickel Plate Express https://nickelplateexpress.com/ Hamilton County Parks https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1302/Koteewi-Adventures Indiana Historical Society https://indianahistory.org/ Indiana DNR https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/ Indiana Landmarks https://www.indianalandmarks.org/?s=landmarks

Research Resources Did the Bicentennial pique your interest in history? Great! We've collected resources here to help you research your township, family or topic of interest. Enjoy digging into Hamilton County's past. 1 The Indiana Room Visit online or in person inside the Noblesville Library The Indiana Room , located on the second floor of the Noblesville Library, houses a special collection dedicated to preserving and providing local and state history, genealogy and more. Access databases (including many of those included on this Research page) and books to help you. Plus, library staff are on hand to help. While the Indiana Room is housed inside the Noblesville branch, you can access many Indiana Room resources on the library website. Visit the Indiana Room online for more information and helpful links. 2 Primary County Histories Available Online Get access to the old standards and lots of details These are ideal if you have a specific need and know what you're looking for. 1880: History of Hamilton County, Indiana , by T.B. Helm. Peruse illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the county’s prominent men and pioneers, to which are appended maps of its several townships. 1901: A History of the Formation, Settlement and Development of Hamilton County, Indiana , by Augustus Finch Shirts. From the year 1818 to the close of the Civil War, this local lawyer and writer’s authoritative history includes lots of lists. (If you've heard of the so-called Great Squirrel Stampede of 1822, this is where it can be traced.) 1915: History of Hamilton County, Indiana: Her People, Industries and Institutions , by John F. Haines. A great source of biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families. Reminiscences of the Long Ago , by Zina Warren. This “historical sketch” covers “the early settlement of Bethlehem, now Carmel and vicinity … with … an account of the Indians and of the doings and makeshifts of the early pioneers who have passed away with a partial list of their names … and … a list of the dead of Bethlehem-Carmel … an account of merchandising and other branches of business, accidents, suicides, shootings, fires, etc. up to 1911.” 3 Books from Arcadia Publishing Drill down and get community specific with recently produced works by local authors Arcadia Publishing prides itself on reconnecting people to their community, neighbors and past by offering a curbside view of hometown history and often forgotten aspects of American life. Several local authors have penned works about Hamilton County cities and towns through the publisher. (Most links below lead to complete texts.) Hidden History of Hamilton County, Indiana , by David Heighway (2021). Hamilton County's past harbors sundry strange tales, many of them lost to time--until now. (Heighway is also a contributor to the Hamilton Co. Bicentennial book.) Wicked Fishers , by Robert Bowling (2021). Fishers is one of the safest places to live in the United States, but it was once a lawless town where anything could happen. (Bowling is also a contributor to the Hamilton Co. Bicentennial book.) A History of Westfield, Indiana: The Promise of the Land , by Tom Rumer (2015). Founded in 1834 by a small group of Quakers protesting human slavery in the South, Westfield and Washington Township served as an important home station on the Underground Railroad. Noblesville , by Nancy A. Massey and Carol Ann Schweikert (2013). Since 1824, Noblesville has served as the county seat for Hamilton County, Indiana. This book documents the history, community life, and growth of Noblesville using stories and photographs. (Massey is also involved in the Hamilton Co. Bicentennial book.) Carmel , by Terri Horvath (2007). Carmel started as a small trading post and farming community in 1836 but has long been regarded as a gateway to Indiana's capital city. The nickname "North Gate of Indianapolis" was adopted by Carmel's centennial committee, reflecting the town's appreciation of the big-city association. 4 County and State Maps Online Explore who owned what and how land has changed hands Property ownership is important. You can research a larger-acreage property, a commercial property or the your home. TIP: Start with finding names of people associated with a property, and then you can further your research. (Researching an individual residence often requires a trip to the Hamilton County Courthouse.) Also, Newspapers.com is available without a fee at all Hamilton East Public Library branches, and is a great resource with a robust, user-friendly search function. The Library of Congress holds historic maps that show the area of Indiana and Hamilton County going back to 1753. The first map that shows the county was created in 1825. (One curiosity: There is strong evidence that William Clark came through in 1791, but it has never been proven. Maps of the area are deemed inaccurate until the until 1830s.) Original purchasers map – Created by the Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office from land records. 1866 map – First detailed map of the county. It shows property ownership and the layout of the towns. 1876 state atlas – Detailed maps of some of the towns. Maps of the county at the State Library can be found online in a few different ways: Indiana State Library maps - You may access lists of maps, atlases, and plat books by clicking on the link to the desired county Or browse by county here. Sanborn maps - Created for use by fire insurance companies and give an extremely detailed plan of the buildings in a community. These are for Hamilton County towns for several years: Noblesville 1883, 1887, 1892, 1898, 1905, 1914, 1922, 1933, 1947 – click here Arcadia 1896, 1902, 1909, 1915, 1933 – click here Atlanta 1902, 1909 – click here Sheridan 1896, 1902, 1909 – click here 1922 plat map - Track the ownership of a property. Other 20th century plat maps - Track the ownership of a property from maps available through the Surveyor’s Office. Library of Congress Maps — Here’s a link to get started with a search of maps available from the Library of Congress. 5 Online Directories of Names Dig into a rich ‘who’s who’ of Hamilton County residents Enter a name and see what you can find in these directories of Hamilton County residents. In the 20th century directories, you can go street by street to see who lived where. (If you need more, come to the Indiana Room for non-digitized directories.) 1874 Hamilton County directory 1893-1894 Hamilton County directory 1907-1908 Hamilton County directory 1920 Noblesville directory 1929 Noblesville directory 6 Interesting & Offbeat Sources More ways to think outside of the box SURVEY SAYS! - The first survey of the area was made in 1820. These are their notes . Technically speaking, using this source requires knowledge of surveyor’s terminology to make heads or tails of. For some layman's context on the survey , check out David Heighway's piece (page 22, Hamilton County Business Magazine). The article provides some background on the original survey talks about how Cicero Creek got its name. GO “UNDERGROUND” - Hamilton County was a part of the Underground Railroad. Information can be found in the Wilbur Seibert Underground Railroad collection . CHASING PATENTS - The first known patent issued to a Hamilton County resident was in 1853. There were around 243 issued between then and 1950. Most can be found at the Google Patents website by using the phrase “in the county of Hamilton” and “Indiana” like here . GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY - The state created a soil map of Hamilton County in 1912 . It’s much like a topographical map except that it shows soil types rather than physical features. The soil map gives you an idea of size of city, location of buildings, etc. Plus, get a report to go with the soil map. HILLS & VALLEYS - Topographical maps of Hamilton County going back to the 1950s can be found at this U.S. Geological Survey web page . KEEP TABS ON THE DECEASED - The cemetery map was created to keep track of burial sites around the county and to make sure that they were not disturbed. HIGH WATER - White River has had several dramatic floods in the time since the county was founded. Read all about historic floods in this article by Hamilton County Historian David Heighway. And get information on historical crests for the White River at Noblesville. SANFORD COX RECALLS: Sandford Cox described a family trip along the Lafayette Trace (the early trail running from the Ohio River to the Wabash River) through Hamilton County in 1824. Dig into Recollections of the early settlement of the Wabash Valley by Sandford C. Cox (1860). FICTIONAL WESTFIELD - James Baldwin wrote a fictionalized version of his growing up in Westfield prior to the Civil War. Browse the pages of In the Days of my Youth: An Intimate Personal Record of Life And Manners in the Middle Ages of the Middle West , by James Baldwin (1923). 7 Photograph Collections of Hamilton County Scenes A relevant picture is worth a thousand words We all love looking at old pictures, but for historical research, photos aren’t the place to start. As you research, keep relevance top of mind. Earl Brooks collection at HCHS and HEPL Joe Roberts Collection at HEPL Indiana Album Indiana Historical Society

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

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

Sanborn Maps History: The practice of creating fire insurance maps originated in London in the late 18th century. In the U.S., Daniel Alfred Sanborn, a civil engineer and surveyor, began creating these maps in 1866. He founded the D. A. Sanborn National Insurance Diagram Bureau (later The Sanborn Map Company) in 1867. The company became the dominant publisher of fire insurance maps for nearly a century, producing maps for approximately 12,000 cities and towns across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While originally intended for the insurance industry, the Sanborn Map Company still exists today, focusing on geospatial products. Sanborn Map Information from the Library of Congress site: https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?q=sanborn+noblesville Search for:Sanborn your city on their page.

Genealogy Classes at Hamilton East Public Library Visit the Crossroads Discovery Center at Hamilton East Public Library One Library Plaza Noblesville, IN 46060 317-773-1384 Hamilton East Public Library Indiana Landmarks 1201 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202 Do you have an historic house and want to know more about it? Indiana Historical Society Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202(317) 232-1882 Check out our exhibits, events, programs and workshops! From biking scavenger hunts to cursive camps for kids, family history for all levels, book signings, lectures and more, we're sure you'll find what you're looking for. To register or buy tickets for a specific program or event, click on the event below for details and links. And don't forget, parking is free with paid admission. You can access our lot from New York Street.

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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.