The new Monroe County Timeline website provides the answers to these questions and more.
The online resource is a result of a partnership between the Monroe County Public Library, the Monroe County History Center and Indiana University Libraries, according to a press release. Its slogan is “the authoritative and popular index of our county’s historical and curiously interesting events.”
The release explained the timeline is meant to make important historical documents and records accessible, identify items for digitization, introduce new residents and visitors to the county’s history, and build community pride and excitement for the county’s approaching bicentennial.
Monroe County was established in 1818 and named for President James Monroe, the timeline states.
Thirty-two years later, the timeline shows, IU’s only building burned to the ground. There was no IU from 1854 until the time when the building could be rebuilt with $16,000 in 1856.
Local journalist Bob Hammel is quoted describing the timeline as “broad and almost limitless” in its potential to demonstrate “the whos, whats and whens of all that has made Monroe County such a special gem.”
The timeline partners are currently searching for volunteers to help develop the site. Local history experts and researchers are asked to help gather information on topics ranging from arts and entertainment to infrastructure and industry.
“There can be significant barriers when identifying and researching events that shaped Monroe County’s unique history, especially for events prior to 1970,” Christine Eykholt Friesel, a library employee, said. “Putting them in chronological order, in a freely accessible and common place, saves researchers time, and it allows all the partners to further develop our digital collections.”
Annie Garau
