May 24
In 1932, “the greatest crowd ever before assembled in Riley Park” watched Greenfield High School’s baseball team defeat Morton High School, 7-6. The win in this last game of the season prompted speculation, driven by the Tigers’ undefeated record and their wins over prominent teams, that Greenfield was the state baseball champion.
In 1976, a squirrel scampering across a Public Service Indiana transformer grounded the equipment. Its fatal romp knocked out power in Greenfield for more than an hour. Power was restored when the carcass was removed.
May 25
In 1956, the Presbyterian Men initiated a new stove at First Presbyterian Church by preparing a pancake breakfast. The meal raised money to help a refugee family travel from New York to Greenfield after arriving in the United States from Europe. The family was one of more than 50 brought to Indiana by Church World Service.
May 26
In 1877, Hancock County’s first Women’s Temperance Society formed at Westland Friends Church. At one point it had 400 members. It dissolved in 1914.
In 1929, a Mr. Cummings of Fortville recorded the first hole-in-one at the new Greenfield Country Club, sinking it on the fourth hole. His partner in the game, two caddies and other players were there. His score over nine holes was a 38.
In 1969, the final commencement for Hancock Central High School took place in the gymnasium of the school in Maxwell. Sue Marsh was valedictorian of the 63-member class.
In 1996, racecar driver and Greenfield native Mark Dismore started his first Indianapolis 500 in the middle of the fifth row. He finished 19th.
May 27
In 1956, First Baptist Church of Greenfield dedicated a new building on West Street. The church closed in 2018.
May 28
In 1962, a ninth Greenfield resident was arrested on charges of receiving stolen goods in connection with a so-called “Fagin ring” (named for the villain in Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist”) of people who sent a 13-year-old boy into local stores to steal. The boy told police he had stolen several hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise from at least 14 Greenfield stores, selling them to the adults at about 60 percent discount.
In 1969, the final commencement for Greenfield High School took place at the school on North Street. Vicki Addison was the last to receive her diploma in the 127-member graduating class. Greenfield and Hancock Central high schools would join at 801 N. Broadway in the fall as Greenfield-Central High School.
May 29
In 1979, Hancock County Commissioners opened bids for a mini-computer to help county employees more quickly complete taxing procedures, bookkeeping and payroll processing. IBM submitted the low bid of $30,950. County Auditor Irene Kramer said the machine would replace a 12-year-old model that had “served its purpose.”
May 30
In 1942, Raceland, a midget auto race track on State Road 67 between McCordsville and Fortville, opened. The $250,000 track, one-fifth of a mile, was built by owner and manager Frank F. Farney.
In 1962, David Cochard of Greenfield sang “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500. He was a bass soloist with the Purdue University Glee Club.
