This was James Whitcomb Riley’s boyhood home, and a statue of the poet graces the bench in front.
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.
In 1925, the congregation now known as Willow Branch United Methodist Church dedicated a church building.
Oct. 5
In 1964, a petition with about 175 signatures was filed with the county auditor; signers were asking county commissioners to grant Greenfield Plan Commission authority over a “buffer zone” just outside city limits.
Oct. 6
In 1997, Shirley Town Council established a 10 p.m. curfew, hoping to curb Halloween-related vandalism.
Oct. 7
In 1849, “Hoosier Poet” and Greenfield native James Whitcomb Riley was born.
Oct. 8
In 2001, Hancock County Commissioners said they would pay the maximum allowed by law to owners of homes they wanted to buy to make way for a new courthouse annex southeast of the courthouse.
Oct. 9
In 1970, Greenfield-Central High School senior Barbara Reuter was selected the first Riley Festival queen in judging sponsored by the Greenfield Jayshees and Jaycees at the Hancock County Courthouse.
Oct. 10
In 1927, a longtime Greenfield resident who was blind sued Standard Oil Co. of Indiana and a local businessman after excavation along West North Street to install a gas station caught him by surprise and made him fall. The man suing said the pit was left unguarded; he sought $25,000 in damages after suffering a broken hip and other injuries in the fall.
