The County Line
For folks interested in local history there is a great source of interesting stories of people, places and events written by Hamilton County Historian David Heighway, staff member at the Hamilton East Public Library of Noblesville.
He writes a history blog for the library found on the library website’s Indiana Room page. It’s titled Highlights in History. In the blog he reveals the stories of local residents ranging from nationally acclaimed fashion designer Norman Norell to gangster era brothel madam Dirty Helen.
There’s a short history about the first and only car manufactured in Noblesville, Indian warfare in Hamilton County, and Noblesville’s own Loch Ness monster.
There are subjects on grain milling and flour making in Noblesville, a bigtime business at one time, big enough to give the NHS Millers their name, and the revelation that the city’s first settler, Pete Smith, was a black man.
Then there’s the story of Lucky Teter, Noblesville native, who started the daredevil driving show called the Hell Drivers, and the real story of grave robbing in Hamilton County.
Heighway, a local resident for 24 years, has researched more county history than almost anyone around. Formerly working at Conner Prairie, Dave was raised in nearby Zionsville. He graduated from Western Kentucky University and earned a master’s degree in history from Utah State.
The title of county historian has been bestowed by the Indiana State Historical Society since 1981 on one historically knowledgeable person in each county. Joe Burgess, the dean of local historians, held the title first. Heighway took over upon Joe’s retirement about 15 years ago.
His blog is worth following for anyone who cares about the community’s history which is more interesting than most might think.