This week in Indiana’s history …
1868 – The citizens of Vincennes had a new toll bridge spanning the Wabash River. Fees were 50 cents for vehicles drawn by four horses, 35 cents for vehicles pulled by two horses, and 25 cents for one-horse vehicles. A horseback rider paid 15 cents, and a pedestrian walked across for 5 cents. Hogs, sheep and cows, led or driven, were charged 5 cents each. No more than 5 head of cattle could cross the bridge at the same time.
1911 – Indiana Governor Thomas Marshall led a group of fellow governors from Ohio, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Idaho and Nevada on a visit to the Lockerbie Street home of James Whitcomb Riley. The poet had suffered a stroke the year before, but he greeted them with his familiar wide smile.
1946 – Indianapolis Mayor Robert H. Tyndall led Yuletide ceremonies on Monument Circle. Thousands gathered to see the colorful lights and enjoy caroling by local choirs. This was the first post-war Christmas that thousands of returning World War II soldiers could enjoy back home.
1958 – Some Came Running was released to theaters across the nation. Based on the novel by James Jones, the movie was filmed in Madison, Ind. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine and other Hollywood actors lived in the city during the production. Famed MGM director Vincente Minnelli was also on location for the filming, which included hundreds of local residents as extras.
1976 – The Ball Stores in Muncie advertised “The Next Thing” in Christmas gifts. It was the amazing Sony Betamax. The ad said, “Take a situation: there are two TV shows opposite of each other and you want to watch both of them. Well, believe it or not, you can!” This was the year you could be the first one on your block with a videotape recorder. The ad listed the price at $1,300 (over $5,000 in today’s dollars).
1992 – The Christmas season began without the lovable cherub atop the clock on the L. S. Ayres Department Store building in Indianapolis. The angelic figure had been a holiday fixture since 1947. Ayres closed in early 1992. When the cherub didn’t appear at Christmas, citizens became concerned and called Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. He pulled some holiday strings and the cherub returned in time for Christmas Day. He has returned to his holiday perch every year since. By the way, the cherub is no lightweight. He weighs 1,200 pounds.