To coincide with the 216th anniversary of the birth of Albert S. White, for whom Whitestown was named, town leaders plan to unveil new historical markers to educate residents and visitors about our town’s namesake, his connection to Abraham Lincoln, and the history of the former Big 4 Railroad, now the Big 4 Trail, through Whitestown.
The unveiling and dedication ceremony will happen at the Big 4 Trail trailhead at 104 S. Main Street on Thursday, October 24th at 12 p.m. Speaking at the unveiling will be town leaders, Boone County Historian, Eric Spall, and Albert S. White’s great-great-grandson, Brad Mintener. Mintener, who had always hoped to see a historical marker erected in his great-great-grandfather’s honor, will be flying in from Canton, New York to attend the ceremony. Other notables have been invited.
The historical markers, made of bronze by Whitestown’s own Indy’s Pro Graphix, were designed by Assistant Town Manager and Director of Public Relations, Tanya Sumner.
“I had first started working for the town when I wrote the verbiage for the markers and came up with the design back in 2015,” explains Sumner, “I was fascinated by the history of our town and wanted to share that interesting history with our residents. My hope is that trail users, young and old, will stop for a moment at the trailhead to read about our town’s namesake, his friendship with President Abraham Lincoln, and the historical link our community has to Lincoln’s inaugural and funeral trains.”
It was the Whitestown Historic Preservation Commission, once created in 2016, that took over the project and pushed to bring it to fruition. Historic Preservation Commission members alsoconceptualized ideas for a mural to be painted on the 1800’s building near the trailhead. The mural was also designed to highlight the history of the former railroad and its importance to the growth of Whitestown. Designed and painted by local artist Erin Quigley, the mural’s dedication will coincide with the unveiling of the historical markers. In addition, Whitestown’s Walking Man statue is being redesigned to tie-in to the theme of honoring and celebrating Whitestown’s history.
WHAT: Unveiling of New Historical Markers & Mural
WHERE: 104 S. Main Street, Whitestown, IN 46075
WHEN: October 24th, 2019 at 12 p.m.
About the Historic Preservation Commission:
The Historic Preservation Commission’s mission is to ensure that the visual quality and historic integrity of Whitestown is preserved and protected. Historic Preservation Commission members
are:
• Susan Austin, President
• Mike Hancock, Vice President
• Jessica Averitt
• Lindsay Nichols Adams
• Mark Robinson
You can find much more about Whitestown’s history at: www.whitestownhistory.com, a website created by Historic Preservation Commission member Mike Hancock. (**Special thanks to Mitch Walters for permission to paint the mural on the former Laughner drugstore building, which Walters now owns.)
About Erin Quigley:
Erin Quigley founded Queen Bee Designs in 2002. Erin specializes in murals, faux finishes, commissioned paintings, interior color coordinating, refurbished furniture, and antiquing and glazing kitchen cabinetry. She is a self-taught artist who feels blessed to have a career that she loves.
About Indy’s Pro Graphix:
Forged from the early days (and nights) in the basement of his Indiana home, Indy’s Pro Graphix’s founder Mark Robinson always had a passion for graphic art and what he has built with bare hands. From hand-lettering the Indy 500 Pit Wall and sides of semi tractors to printing large, full wraps for all types of vehicles, Mark has built Indy’s Pro Graphix into one the most premier graphics providers in the Midwest. Indy’s Pro Graphix, located in Whitestown, also did the wrap for the Walking Man public art display in Whitestown.
