Fountain of Fun

For a majority of the blogs so far, I have dealt with buildings or organizations. This time I decided to give some credit to the Dede Plaza and the awe-inspiring fountain in the center. Any day of the week (given it's not cold or raining), you can pass by this area, which used to be an intersection of Chestnut street and 6th street, and see people of all ages enjoying the fountain and available seating around it. It sits at the heart of the university and was built on September 14, 1989 thanks to Ed and Mary Dede, who reside in Terre Haute. It is unique elements like this that make universities worth while for me. I hope that in the future, ISU continues to encourage a pleasant atmosphere for students, faculty, and public.

Science and Art

The Via Solaris sculpture located outside Stalker Hall may appear to most students to be just another piece of art. However, this unique structure is influenced as much by science as it is by art. The Via Solaris was built on September 16, 2007 by New York artist John Van Alstine. The sculpture is twenty feet tall and made of bronze and steel. But if one were to go up to the sculpture and read the writing engraved at the base, one would learn that the Via Solaris is actually a calendar. The sculpture measures sun spots. If anyone is interested in how it works, the writing engraved at the base also provides instruction on its use. This interesting addition to ISU is a perfect example of why it is important to really examine a work of art. Many students walk by the Via Solaris in an apathetic trance. Hopefully, more students will not only take the time to look at this structure, but also learn to use it as well.

National Award for Bayh College of Education

The Bayh College of Education is a newly renovated building that used to be known as University Hall. It was renovated in July of 2009 and was renamed the Bayh College of Education in the fall of 2009. Not only is this newly renovated building the structure that the Dean chose to have his office, it was recently recognized for the work that the Bayh building has done with other schools. On Saturday March 13th, the Bayh building was giving the Award for Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement. This award was giving to the Bayh building because of the help and assistance that they have given to various schools to prepare their students for higher education. If you wish to get more inforamtion of this building, it can be found on the ISU website.

A Good Cause

Yesterday, I went into the Zorah Temple, located right next to Root hall. I was first intrigued by the architecture of the building, but upon entering, I was quite surprised with what this building is used for. The temple is actually a club for the Shriners Hospitals for children. After a brief discussion with a man in the main office, I learned that this club's function is to raise money to provide the medical costs required to treat child who are burn victims, born with arm or leg disfigurements, and several other serious medical problems. He told me that the building was built in 1927, but that the organization has been in Terre Haute since the beginning of the 20th century. I also learned that they hold fundraiser events to help provide the aid for the children and also to help pay for the upkeep of the building. This unique and beneficial organization is located throughout the United States and has made its way around the world. I implore anyone who reads this blog to get involved with various fundraiser activities and help support this fantastic cause. I, for one, have every intention of participating and to help provide free medical attention to children who need it.

Old Main

After taking a brief tour today with the class and visiting some of the historical areas on campus, I decided that this blog should be dedicated to a building that is no longer in existence. The Old Main building was built in 1888, following the destruction of the previous building in it's place, due to fire. The Previous building was known as the "Normal School." When it was destroyed, the residents of Terre Haute came together to help raise money for the building that would later be known as Old Main. It was built by the Jenny & Otis Company, Chicago, IL. Old Main was later remodeled from 1938-1939. However, Indiana State University felt the need to express it's appreciation for good architecture by having the building torn down in 1950. After seeing what this building looked like, I can honestly say that it is a shame that this building's location is now nothing more than a walk-way. Not even provoking thought in most students minds of what was once there, this bare area is frequently used by students and faculty. I can't help but wonder what elements of the campus will be destroyed in the next few decades or if anyone will even remember it.

The History of Justice in Terre Haute

Located on third street, in between Wabash Avenue and Ohio Street, sits the Court House of Terre Haute. This large building consists of four floors and has a chandelier hanging in the center of the building right above the fourth floor. To enter this cornerstone of Terre Haute legislation, you must go through the west doors. Upon entering, you will be greeted by a metal detector and the police officer that operates it. Today, I decided to visit the Court House. After passing the detector and being deemed safe, I made my way around the first floor. I was able to gather some information about the Court House from a clerk who worked down on the first floor and discovered that there have been three Court Houses in Terre Haute history. The first one was built in 1818 in the same location as the Court House that people know today. The current Court House was built in 1888. At the center of every floor, except the first, is a little guard rail. This is to prevent people from falling as the look up and down at the other floors. Even if you don't have a court date at this destination, I implore anybody who appreciates good architecture to visit this building.

Fairbanks Memorial Library

The Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library is located at 222 N. 7th street. This beautifully classical building is structured in the Beaux Arts style and was named after Emeline Fairbanks (The mother of the famous Crawford Fairbanks). It was build in 1906 and is made of limestone. The unversity gained possession of this local treasure in 1978. In 1984, the university decided to get it remodeled. The building now is quite different than the building shown here. However, it still maintains it's integrity. Most of the rooms inside are now utilized as classrooms. Upon entering the main doors, you are instantly caught in awe as you look up. Above the inside center of the building is a dome that has several paintings of famous people in a huge circle. As a walked through a door to access a full view, I noticed that I had walked into a student art gallery. In a complete 360 degrees around me, I was swarmed with artistic expression curtesy of the talented students that go to ISU. Feeling almost overwhelmed, I jolted my head back and forth, from one piece of art to another. However, I never escaped the ever present pull to look up. Finally, after viewing all the artwork around me, I tilted my head toward the heavens for a more in depth look at the doom. I noticed some of the names of the famous people paintings including Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and even Mark Twain. This building is a must for any person who has an appreciation for art, history, or who is of the belief that Terre Haute has nothing of interest to offer it's people.

German Catholicism

The Saint Benedict Parish is located at the corner of 9th street and Ohio. The church was build in 1865 and was originally a catholic church for people of german origin. Today, the building still stands and is accompanied by three other buildings. There is the Parish Office across the street from the church. Then, to the right of the church there stands the house in which the priest lives. Next to the priest house is the German Catholic School. Every weekday from 11 to 12, the school has a soup kitchen for anyone who is hungry and doesn't have the financial assistance to alleviate the problem. I knocked on the door of the Parish Office and informed a woman who was working there that I was interested in the church. Then I requested permission to enter the church. I had assumed that I would be given a brief tour by a church official. Instead, the woman handing my a set of keys and reminded me to lock up when I was done. So, I unlocked one of the three main doors and entered the lobby of the church. On the right side of the lobby, stood a statue. It was a beautiful representation of Mary holding Jesus' wounded body as he lay dying. Then, I went into the main area of the church. A long line of wooden pews to the right and left of me travelled forward toward a pulpit. Above the pulpit, hung a crucifix. At the right and left sides of the room stood confessional booths. The ceiling contained beautiful paintings and gave an incredible spatial relationship to the floor below. At the tops of the walls were several stained-glass windows containing pictures. The light from outside gave live to the colorful windows and even though the inside of the building was dark, one could obtain a small feeling of peace looking up toward such an amazing work of art. The St. Benedict Parish is an incredibly representation of the types of cathedrals that one would find in Europe. I am so glad that Terre Haute has not managed to uphold tradition and demolish this wonderful part of it's history.

Twelve Stories of History

Located at 19 South Sixth Street, stands what was once the tallest building between Indianapolis and St. Louis. The Sycamore Building was constructed in 1921 by the Hoggson Brothers of New York City. The building started off as a bank named Citizens Trust Company. The construction of the building cost $500,000 and features 12 floors. While driving on Wabash Avenue, I have past this building several times with the intention of stopping and taking a look. Now, I am very grateful that I did. Upon walking in the front entrance on the Sycamore Building, I made my way toward the front office. Inside, I spotted a rather large, circular vault. One of the women working in the office informed me about the Sycamore Building and its roots as a bank. She told me that it is the only building in Terre Haute that possesses a round vault. Then, I visited the basement, where I was informed about another vault down there that is now used as a storage closet. After the brief tour, I requested entrance to the top floor. The building is now used to office many lawyers, so a phone call was required before I made my ascent to the top floor. After being granted permission, I made my way to the up to the 12th floor. Although this floor was a law office, I was allowed to experience the view from the waiting room window. One window faced west while the other window faced south. Looking out, I got a much better sense of the history of Terre Haute. Through both windows, one can see many buildings and steeples. Homes and stores, stretched out until the influence of Terre Haute gives way to a vast treeline and finally breaks into the horizon.

Hotel Deming

Terre Haute's Tribune-Star named the Deming Hotel a historical treasure in a 2007 article. Roznowski mentions this local landmark many times in his book. Named after Demas Deming, the hotel now occupies the space that that was once the site of a church. According to the Tribune, The Terre Haute Coal and Lime company provided 4,450 cubic yards of gravel and sand. They also provided cement for the concrete that makes up much of the hotel and the surrounding sidewalk. The hotel opened officially on Oct. 20, 1914. The hotel was eventually bought by the university and used as a men's dormitory. Later, the hotel was sold again and in the 1970's, it was utilized as apartments for the elderly and the handicapped. This building has stood the tests of time and has a unique story to go along with it. It is certainly one aspect of Terre Haute that should be kept intact, so that future generations may have a better understanding of historical relevance.

Haunted History

A couple years ago, I was reading through a book about all the supposed haunted places in Indiana. One story that stayed with me was the story of a dog named Stiffy Green. According to some records, Stiffy Green was the constant companion of an elderly man by the name of John Heinl. They would walk the streets of Terre Haute and were well liked by the community. In 1920, John Heinl passed away. John was emtombed in a mausoleum at Terre Haute's Highland Cemetary. According to legend, Stiffy Green was taken care of by some of John's friends after he died. It wasn't long until the dog traveled back to the cemetary to sit outside the mausoleum and guard his master. Within a few months of John's death, his beloved dog came to greet him in eternity. Not wanting to simply dispose of the dog, the new owners decided to have him stuffed and placed next to his beloved companion in the mausoleum. It wasn't long before caretakers and visitors of the cemetary reported hearing barking coming from around the tomb. Some people even reported seeing an elderly figure walking the cemetary with a canine companion late at night. Eventually, the body of Stiffy Green was removed from the mausoleum due to the endless amount of late-night teenage visitors trying to catch a glimpse of the ghostly dog. Whether you believe the stories or not, the legend of Stiffy Green continues to appear in many books detailing the haunted sites of Indiana.

We Must Never Forget

Located on 1532 South 3rd street, there is a museum entitled the C.A.N.D.L.E. holocaust museum and education center. This museum tells of the terrible events of the holocaust. However, it centers around a woman named Eva Kor, who founded the museum in 1995. Eva Kor was an Auschwitz prisoner with her twin sister Miriam. Together they were subject to terrible experiments by Nazi doctors. While visiting, I saw a little room inside the museum that had various items that looked as if they had been burned. The man giving me a brief tour informed me that in 2003, someone had firebombed the original museum and destroyed most of the contents inside. Then he told me that the entire Terre Haute community gathered together to help rebuild the museum. This is an important statement about the people of Terre Haute. Not only are the people of Terre Haute not as apathetic as some may think, but they also have a sense of community value. With the help of the people in Terre Haute, Eva Kor rebuilt the museum and still teaches visitors about the atrocities of prejudice. One of the key philosophies that Eva discusses is the ability to forgive. I am told that she has forgiven the Nazis for their role in altering her life as a young child. However, as is stated on a painting inside the museum, forgiving is not forgetting.

For the last two blogs, I have talked about my experiences with two important buildings in Terre Haute. However, I didn't know much about the city itself. After googling information about Terre Haute, I discovered that there is an official website devoted to the many aspects of the Terre Haute area, not only for the people who live there, but also visitors passing through. The website is www.TerreHaute.com and it provides information about various features including important buildings and museums. The website also includes a list of the many resturant options available to anyone in the area. I plan on using this website to get the information I need in order to better familiarize myself with this exceptional city.

Coffee and History

Today, I broke from my regular routine of Starbuck's coffee to visit the Clabber Girl bake shop. The shop is located at the corner of Wabash and 9th street. Once inside, my eye was caught by an old-style indy racecar. After ordering a coffee, I began to tour around the shop. It was established in 1848 and displays many products from the 19th century era. These items include many household products typical of the time period. They even have old-style bicycles on display in the window. Anyone who wants a little taste of Terre Haute history should stop by from some good coffee and some interesting history.

Unexpected Creativity

I live about an hour east of Terre Haute and only passed through on my way down to Vincennes University. However, this last fall I decided to transfer over to Indiana State University. I am beginning to appreciate my decision because not only am I pleased with what the University has to offer me, but I am slowly but surely coming in contact with many unique aspects of Terre Haute. Today, I visited the Swope Art Museum which is located on 7th street between Wabash Avenue and Ohio Street. I have always had an interest in art and have been to a couple other art museums. The Swope Art Museum is very small in comparison to some of the museums I had experienced. But, I made the mistake of thinking this to be a flaw in character. To my surprise, it was quite the contrary. The woman at the front desk informed me that many of the works of art in the gallery were purchased in Europe during the 1930's and 40's. However, the museum also has exhibits from local artists from Terre Haute. Among these artists is a man named James Farrington Gookins. His paintings are amazing and eye catching. I was especially impressed with a painting of his entitled, "Hummingbird Hunters." His use of color in this particular painting makes him a worthy opponent of many European artists of the same time period. After visiting today, I can honestly say that not only will I recommend the Swope Museum to my friends, I also plan to become a regular visitor myself.