Happy 250th, America!
Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist
As we celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial, here’s a look back at how Harrison County celebrated the State of Indiana’s sesquicentennial in 1966. We do love a parade! The Indiana Sesquicentennial Parade took place in Corydon on August 13, 1966. It was one of many events held over the summer to celebrate the state’s 150th birthday.
Have a safe and happy 4th!
Additional images can be found in the Walter and Mina Fried Slide Collection and the J.D. and Elizabeth Williams Slide Collection.

Corydon Central High School’s marching band heads south on Capitol Avenue during the Indiana Sesquicentennial Parade in Corydon, August 13, 1966.

North Central High School’s marching band wore costumes reflecting Indiana’s early history.

The float sponsored by the Corydon State Bank depicts office work in 1816 and 1966.

Harrison County Farm Bureau’s float in the Indiana Sesquicentennial parade.

The Sesquicentennial Queen of Harrison County, Diana Grant (sitting), and the Pancake Festival and Harrison County Fair Queen, Connie Rainbolt (standing), wave to the public. The float featured a replica of the First State Capitol made by Corydon High School Industrial Arts students and their teacher, Daris Broglin, with help from the Corydon Jaycees.

Indiana State Sesquicentennial Queen Sylvia Butler of Angola sits on her throne on the float of the State Sesquicentennial Commission. Accompanying her as attendants in the Queen’s Court were the Floyd County, Greene County, and Orange County Indiana Sesquicentennial Queens.

Men from the Elizabeth Fire Department take part in the parade.

Many floats in the parade had a “then and now” theme comparing life in 1816 to that in 1966. This float demonstrates advancements in plumbing.

Two horses pull a replica of a Wells Fargo stagecoach. The parade entry was sponsored by the Wenning Packing Company in Central Barren.

This streetscape of Capitol Avenue in Corydon captures a view of the August 1966 parade as it heads for the south bridge. Davis Drug Store at the corner of Capitol and Beaver Street is seen at the left, and the Fair Store and Old Capitol Bank are visible at the right. The Farm Bureau feed mill and the former south bridge over Little Indian Creek can be seen in the distance.
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Lorraine Ferree and Reginald Riley, June 7, 1941






Having fun at the May and Joe Rhoads Memorial Pool in the 1970s.



This Memorial Day service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Corydon, May 30, 1946, was the first peace-time Memorial Day since the cessation of hostilities of WWII. Men from all branches of the military joined with civilians in ceremonies to honor the war dead of Harrison County. At the far left is Charles Rowe, a former Army pilot. Former Navy officer Sidney Amy stands in the center along with Ferne Wallace and baby, and Jean Pitman. At right is bugler and former Navy officer Jack Walts, who sounded taps as all paid tribute.
Phillip Rosenbarger (left) and an unidentified man raise a flag at a Memorial Day service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in 1947.
Elizabeth High School, Class of 1952
Laconia High School, Class of 1952
Lanesville High School, Class of 1952
Mauckport High School, Class of 1949
Morgan Township High School, Class of 1948
New Amsterdam High School, Class of 1946
New Salisbury High School, Class of 1951
New Middletown High School, Class of 1951
Corydon High School, Class of 1934

Clover Valley Hatchery and airport near Ramsey, Indiana.
Olive Griffin at the lending library in Griffin’s Dry Goods Store, ca. 1898.

This paragraph, taken from the above article, shows a deep appreciation for library supporters and their “wide-awake interest” in developing a public library that will “have reason to rejoice” over the library’s continued growth.
Pharmacist Herb Habermel (1904-1955) and his wife, Francis, opened a drugstore at 117 E. Chestnut Street in Corydon in August 1945 (this property was most recently occupied by Beckort Auctions, and is soon to be Williams Bakery). The store featured a wide variety of items, ranging from toiletries, cosmetics, and medicinal products to jewelry, clocks, toys, and household appliances. In addition, Habermel’s also sold medications for livestock, offered a laundry service, had a large soda fountain, and doubled as a Greyhound Bus station.
One of the most popular events at the festival was a large pancake breakfast, which was always well-attended despite its early start. Above, Marvin Alstott (left) and Charles Miller (right) prepare cakes for the crowd in 1959. See the
A large Ferris wheel operated on Elm Street near the Masonic Lodge and Corydon Post Office in 1962.
Festival goers and rides on West Beaver and Elm Streets, 1968.
See more Pancake Festival images in the