Vigo County Historical Society

Time line chronicles past 100 years of local history

A recent gift to the Vigo County Historical Society from the Vigo County Public Library will provide an excellent source of research at the Vigo County Historical Museum.

As part of the Celebrate the Century project, an extensive Vigo County time line that chronicles the past 100 years of local history was developed and exhibited during 1999 at the library’s main branch.

Under the direction of archivist Susan Dehler, historical surveys were sent from the library to local businesses, organizations and churches asking for histories and pertinent information about their group.

Dorothy Jerse, chairwoman of the Celebrate the Century committee, researched and submitted much material about early establishments and happenings in Terre Haute.

After all the facts had been collected, Susan Jakaritis of the library staff pulled together an amazing display of printed material and photograph copies which made up the time line. The exhibit encompassed four walls of the lobby in the library’s main branch.

Now this concise collection of dated information cards and pictures relating to the past 100 years in Terre Haute is arranged in chronological order and available for people seeking a brief form of information. The print material also has been put on the library’s Web site at www.vigo.lib.in.us.

The picture accompanying this article gives the reader an example of the time line, showing the local Red Cross during World War I, the Johnson brothers and their monoplane, and an automobile show at the Trianon. The collection is kept in the museum’s research room.