Vigo County Historical Society

Mayor Henry C. Steeg brought beauty to Terre Haute

Henry C. Steeg, mayor of Terre Haute from 1898 to September 1904, was the son of German immigrants.

His father worked in the stone quarries in Putnam County. Born in 1857, Henry had three brothers and two sisters.

He studied at common schools and Roanoke College in Salem, Va. After finishing college he worked at his father’s lime manufacturing company and took over operations after his father’s death. Steeg married Anne Marsh, also of German ancestry, and had four sons and one daughter.

Steeg constructed the first stone pike roads in Putnam County in 1882. He moved to Terre Haute in 1885 to work as a general contractor and bridge builder. He founded a firm called Reidman and Steeg in 1887 and became its vice president. He also served a the president of People’s Brewing Co.

Steeg was a very active member of many notable organizations and clubs including the Elks, Eagles, Masonry, Businessman’s, German’s and Red Men’s clubs. He was elected city councilman in 1888 and in 1898 he became mayor Terre Haute, serving until September 1904.

As mayor, Steeg was considered very effective and brought about many improvements. One of his great contributions to the city was the acquisition of land at the junction of Wabash Avenue and 14th Street to build a city park.

This beautiful park on the busy national highway was appreciated not only by local residents but by the people traveling across the nation who sometimes stopped to rest there. The park was named Steeg Park in the mayor’s honor but the name was later changed to Gilbert Park.

From a very humble beginning, Steeg succeeded in his personal and public life. By his distinct and dedicated service to the people, he earned their love and respect and left a mark in the history of Terre Haute.

A framed photograph of Mayor Henry Steeg is part of the Vigo County Historical Museum’s "Celebrate the Century" exhibit chronicling Terre Haute’s past 100 years.