Dave Gray asked me the other day about the concrete pillars in Fountain Lake at Fountain Lake Estates. I was told those pillars were put there by an early developer with the idea of putting a roof over the lake. It never happened, but the pillars are still there.
Does anyone remember a SuperX Pharmacy in town? I believe there was one at Green Meadows.
Bob Barnhart provides us with an old scrapbook circa 1972. In it a Greenfield Daily Reporter article tells that in 1959 the average rescue calls made were about 20 per month and in July 1972 the ambulance made 77 emergency runs. According to Earl McCarthy, former Civil Defense chief, there was a need for new equipment, and a new ambulance was about to be purchased.
Did you know the Hancock County Rescue had its beginnings with a Civil Defense Police Unit formed in October 1958 at Greenfield? Training was provided by state Civil Defense instructors. This extensive three-month course was climaxed with a mock attack on the Hancock County Courthouse with people trapped on the top floor. These disaster victims were evacuated on lines, stretchers, baskets and rope hitches, utilizing all the skills learned at the recent training.
Max Hendryx of Hendryx Mortuaries donated one of his ambulances for use with the unit. In 1963 a new ambulance was purchased from National Coach Co. in Knightstown. Members of the unit had a note that guaranteed payment from various fundraising events.
Did you know the interurban track are still under the payment on the south side of 40? Greenfield businessmen promoted the interurban line between Greenfield and Indianapolis. Construction was awarded to C.M. Kirkpatrick of Greenfield; work started in 1899 with the line regularly carrying passengers on July 17, 1900.
On Sept. 12, 1904, the Indianapolis Traction Terminal opened as a central station for all traction companies coming into Indianapolis, allowing them to better coordinate their services. In July 1905 the first joint ticket office was opened in Indianapolis, the first of its kind anywhere.
It was the largest and busiest interurban terminal in the world. At its peak it handled 500 arrivals and departures per day. As World War II approached, the interurban era grew to a close, and only 14 electric railroads remained in Indiana. On Dec. 31, 1946, the interurban period officially ended when the Evansville and Ohio Valley made its final run. The Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern Traction Line closed in Greenfield in around 1936. Riley Park Tire is an old interurban barn. The tracks are still there.
Enough. I have told you everything that I know and some things I don’t. Talk to me.
You can write to Joe Skvarenina at [email protected]
or in care of the Daily Reporter at 22 W. New Road, Greenfield, Ind. 46140.
