David Humphrey Bücher

Indianapolis was founded in 1821 and became the state capital in 1825. Casually known as Indy or Naptown, Indianapolis is the largest city in the Hoosier State, with over 800,000 residents. The Circle City has roughly thirty museums to select from and over 180 listings on the National Register of Historic Places. It is indeed a history buff's kind of town. And for those who simply want to have fun, downtown Indianapolis has restaurants and pubs with entertainment aplenty. Indianapolis is like a mosaic, where everything and everyone is a piece of the montage.

Take a journey through the history of Pendleton, Indiana with local author David Humphrey. Named after Thomas Pendleton, one of the town's early settlers, Pendleton, Indiana, was established in 1820. With a ford on Fall Creek, the falls provided waterpower for mills and influenced migration to areas north of Pendleton. The emergence of natural gas in Madison County led to the establishment of several glass factories, a tile plant, and other manufacturing sites, including the Motsinger Device Manufacturing Company and Fall Creek Cannery. Early entrepreneurs of Pendleton included Thomas McCartney, who built the first mill at the falls; Palmer Patrick, a colorful merchant; and Homer Motsinger, owner of Motsinger Device Manufacturing Company. After the mills along Fall Creek were removed, the area became known as Pendleton Park, a tourist attraction that brought visitors from surrounding states. Falls Park, as it is known today, remains one of the most picturesque sites in Madison County, Indiana and is a mainstay for the Pendleton community. With the 200th anniversary of Pendleton on the horizon, the town continues to progress in a positive fashion, while keeping the historical aspect of the community alive.

From being known as The Heathen Town Four Miles Away to becoming a booming factory town, discover Anderson, Indiana through the centuries. The city of Anderson is named after Chief William Anderson, whose Indian name was Kikthawenund, meaning making a noise or causing to crack. Early settlers referred to the area as Anderson Town, while the Moravian missionaries called it The Heathen Town Four Miles Away. It later became Anderstown before the Indiana State Legislature shortened the name to Anderson in 1844. In the spring of 1887, natural gas was discovered in the city. Several industries came to the area, leading to a population explosion. Anderson soon became a factory town, with General Motors building plants throughout the city. The success of the automobile factories attracted entrepreneurs and made Anderson the economic center of Madison County. From the 1940s through the 1970s, downtown Anderson had its share of family-owned businesses as well as national chain stores like J.C. Penney, Sears & Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward. Today, it remains filled with a rich heritage and continues to grow in a new economic market.

The National Road, commonly known as US 40, is undoubtedly one of Indiana's most historic transportation routes. Construction on the road began in 1828, and it played an integral role in shaping the history of the Hoosier State. Spanning through the heart of the state, Indiana's National Road has seen changes through the years--some for better, some for worse. Though interstate travel has somewhat made US 40 the road less traveled, Indiana's National Road remains a treasured landmark, embraced by those who appreciate and understand its historical significance. Dilapidated buildings and closed signs are common sites but do not overshadow the thriving communities of Cumberland, Centerville, and Cambridge City and other small towns along the route. The cities of Indianapolis, Terre Haute, and Richmond continue to develop while leaving the historical aspects of US 40 intact.