Back when: Sept. 28-Oct. 4

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Sept. 28

In 1940, A 100-lap race was the main attraction at the first program under the lights at Charlottesville Speedrome midget track, a quarter-mile oval.

Sept. 29

In 1927, it was reported that the Greenfield Country Club Association had purchased an 80-acre tract on Morristown Pike from Charles E. Pauley of Indianapolis for $7,000, with the intent of building a golf course and country club. Today the course is known as Hawk’s Tail.

Sept. 30

In 1904, New Palestine Cemetery was dedicated.

Oct. 1

In 1838, Jonathan Evans platted the town of New Palestine.

In 1906, a gas line explosion in New Palestine killed three men and destroyed the original town hall and fire station.

Oct. 2

In 1902, Mother of God Roman Catholic Church was dedicated in Shirley, with 103 attending the service. When the town’s gas boom faded, so did attendance; the building was razed in the late 1920s.

In 1966, the cornerstone was laid for a new Fortville Christian Church building at 9450 N. County Road 200W, where the church still meets today.

Oct. 3

In 1974, a two-ton rock, engraved to mark the spot of James Whitcomb Riley’s “Old Swimmin’ Hole,” was dedicated after the Mayor’s Breakfast of the Riley Festival.

Oct. 4

In 1909, work began on North State Street on new cement sidewalks, replacing black pitch walks that were put in some 18 years before.