This week in Hoosier History Highlights for the week of Dec. 17:
1917 – A century ago, a full-page ad in the Indianapolis Star invited readers to “Travel the electric way – there’s a train your way any hour of the day.” The Union Traction Company provided convenient times for travel to many cities and towns around the state. Indiana could boast that it had the second-largest interurban system in the nation.
1929 – Citizens of Madison, Ind., and Milton, Ky., turned out in coats and scarves to dedicate a new toll bridge connecting the two Ohio River cities. The occasion also marked the retirement of ferry boats which had served the communities for years.
1935 – A 22-foot, 40-ton statue of St. Nicholas was unveiled at Santa Claus, Ind., whose original name was Santa Fe. The Lafayette Journal Courier reported that “a thousand persons braved the cold weather and slippery pavements to come to the little village for the ceremony.” The statue still stands tall in the festive community.
1946 – Indianapolis mayor Robert H. Tyndall presided over Yuletide ceremonies on Monument Circle. Thousands gathered to enjoy the colorful lights and caroling by local choirs. The mayor stated that this was the first post-war Christmas that thousands of returning World War II soldiers could enjoy back home.
2016 – William H. Hudnut III died in Chevy Chase, Md. A Presbyterian minister, he represented Indiana in Congress from 1973 to 1975. Then he began a long tenure as mayor of Indianapolis. During his 16 years of service, he guided the city into a position of national and international importance.