This week in Indiana’s history …
1826 – Robert Dale Owen welcomed a “Boatload of Knowledge” to the young community of New Harmony, Ind. Led by geologist William Maclure, the passengers included many prominent artists, educators, and scientists. Traveling from Pittsburgh on a boat named Philanthropist, they landed at Mount Vernon and traveled by wagon to New Harmony.
1915 – William Peet was born in Grandview, Ind. His family moved to Indianapolis where he attended Arsenal Technical High School and the John Herron Art Institute. His talent took him to Hollywood where he was hired by Walt Disney. Working as an animator, he helped create such classic movies as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Pinocchio, and Dumbo. He went on to author and illustrate more than 30 children’s books.
1937 – Eleven days of heavy rain created massive flooding along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Indiana cities along the Ohio set record flood levels, including Madison, Lawrenceburg, Aurora, and New Albany. Two-thirds of Evansville and nearly all of Jeffersonville were under water. The National Guard and members of the Works Progress Administration helped with cleanup.
1946 – In an innovative joint broadcast, four Indianapolis radio stations helped raise funds for the fight against polio. Governor Ralph Gates went on the air to introduce the program, which included Reid Chapman from WISH, Joe Pierson from WFBM, Everett Howard from WIBC, and Wally Nehrling from WIRE. News was presented by Gilbert Forbes with sports reports from Tom Carnegie.
1969 – The trustees of Indiana University and Purdue University announced plans to merge their Indianapolis campuses into one operation. The school would be named Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. The decision was prompted by the desire of Mayor Richard G. Lugar to have a major state university in the capital city.
2009 – Katie Stam of Seymour was crowned “Miss America.” She was the first person from Indiana to win the honor. In high school, she was a 4-H member and showed dairy cattle at the Jackson County Fair. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in communication.