Vigo County Historical Society

Remarkable ability of Hahn on display

Henry Hahn drew a map of Terre Haute in 1939 recalling how the city looked in 1864 when he was age 12. Drawn in ink and hand-colored, the map is awe-inspiring.

More than 400 individual structures are shown. Many of them show clear architectural details such as arched windows, multistoried buildings, double doors, courthouse, jail, the confederate prison during the Civil War, Wabash River, bridge and toll booth.

In his map, Hahn particularly accentuated the area where he lived as a child and identified all the businesses across the street like grocers, saloons, bakers and butchers. He pictured hotels such as the Early House, Clark House and Prairie House (Terre Haute House). He placed Circus Grounds, taking up the entire block between Seventh and Eighth streets, from Wabash Avenue to Ohio Street, which legitimizes the great importance in a child’s mind.

It is possible Hahn consulted an old city directory before he drew this map. There are, however, a number of errors. Still today, this map generates a special interest to think how observant a child could be and teaches us never to underest5imate a child’s imaginative mind.

Henry Hahn was born in 1852 to Xaviar and Marie Hahn and lived in a home next to the shoe shop located between First and Second streets, which was run by his father. This business was established by Otto Horning. At that time, there were no regular shoe stores, but boot makers’ shops where young men made boots according to the customer’s measurements.

As a young man, Henry Hahn also made boots for local celebrities like Demas Deming, Chauncey Rose and James Farrington. Hahn’s shoes became quite famous, producing well-fitted as well as orthopedic shoes.

Hahn moved on to become a grocer, bartender, saloon keeper and a cigar maker. He married Minnie Fuqua in 1888 and had three daughters and a son. In 1890, he moved to Prairieton and died there on April 5, 1945, at age 93.

The remarkable map Hahn drew at a young age is displayed on the lower exhibit floor of the museum and is a tribute to his memory and creativity.