Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
November 17, 2002
By Shawn M. Rogers
Vigo County Historical Society
Terre Haute takes steps to regain its civic pride, after critical article
Many of you may question whether a highly critical magazine article which publicized the vices, struggles and failures of mid-20th century Terre Haute is truly something to be treasured.
I, indeed, believe that it is.
Peter Wyden’s article titled “Indiana’s Delinquent City” appeared in the Feb. 11, 1961, edition of The Saturday Evening Post. The author did not paint a very flattering picture of the state of affairs in Terre Haute, circa 1961. He summarized his observations of Terre Haute by stating, “In shabby Terre Haute, progress is dead, vice flourishes, and the citizens don’t seem to care.”
Wyden criticized both the citizens and leaders of Terre Haute for being apathetic in regards to civic and structural reform and renewal.
A few of the many vices, failures, calamities and deficiencies attributed to the community of Terre Haute by Peter Wyden were rampant prostitution, unchecked illegal gambling, chronic unemployment, frequent flooding, no sewage disposal plant, no civic auditorium no railroad overpasses, a deteriorating downtown, and the lack of an effective two-party political system free from “machine” style politics and the “spoils system.” Not a very pretty picture at all.
Wyden detailed many of the above listed topics while illustrating the fact that many Terre Haute citizens simply refused to respond to the pleas of local leaders such as John Lamb and Floyd Dix to take action to support urban renewal and government reform. John Lamb, executive vice president of the chamber of commerce was quoted as saying, “It’s purely a matter of civic conscience, which we do not have. People just don’t care. We’ve offered them something good, and they evidently don’t want it.”
Fortunately, the numerous efforts of citizens and local leadership throughout the years have managed to cure or alleviate many of the ills which have caused so much suffering, anguish and embarrassment for the city of Terre Haute. Terre Haute once again has regained its collected civic pride, conscience and optimism. There is still much yet to be accomplished, however, we look to the future with renewed optimism, conveyance, and dedication, which will surely lead to even greater achievements.
Criticism hits closer to home when it is given by an outside source. It is likely Peter Wyden’s article and others like it helped to motivate or even inspire many in the city of Terre Haute to strive even harder to redeem themselves and their city. That is why “Indiana’s Delinquent City” should be treasured.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.