What was Lyles Station?

1819—At his home in Corydon, Indiana Governor Jonathan Jennings met with President James Monroe and General Andrew Jackson. The two were on a tour of frontier states.

1882—William M. Scholl was born on a farm near La Porte. While working in a shoe repair shop, he developed an interest in podiatry. After attending medical school, he began to manufacture arch supports. His business expanded, and today Dr. Scholl’s is one of the largest makers of foot care products.

1953—Former President Harry Truman and his wife Bess stayed overnight in Indianapolis at the home of Frank McKinney, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The Trumans were on a private trip to Washington, D.C. in their new Chrysler New Yorker. Traveling out of town on US 40, they were stopped at a state police safety check station near Greenfield, where Truman cheerfully signed autographs and posed for pictures.

1964—A private plane carrying Indiana Senator Birch Bayh and his wife Marvella crashed into an apple orchard near Southampton, Massachusetts. Bayh pulled fellow Senator Edward Kennedy from the wreckage. Pilot Edwin Zinny and Kennedy Aide Edward Moss were killed.

2002—Indiana First Lady Judy O’Bannon helped dedicate the historical marker at Lyles Station, an early African-American community in Gibson County. At its peak in the late 19th century, the town had over 50 homes, a post office, a railroad station, two general stores, and a school. The school has been restored and now serves as a museum and cultural center.