Flackville School, School No. 1, Wayne Township, on the west side–not far from Lafayette and 30th– could be a metaphor for IPS itself: challenged, crumbling, in dire need of saving.
The cornerstone says 1912, the exterior says: I am obsolete.
My mother attended this school in some of her elementary years and I don’t know much about it, other than: I’d love to see it saved, re-purposed and used again. Perhaps just a pipe dream, but worthy of a prayer…
Although I didn’t attend this school, it was a visible part of my early childhood. My family had a house in nearby Eagledale and we used the Eagledale Plaza shopping center a lot. I remember shopping trips to Wasson’s (which was close by) in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Wasson’s later became the (in)famous Piccadilly night club.
Some time ago, someone tried to put Pizzeria in there.
A few years back, I met a guy who had served in Europe during WW2 with the 9th Armored Division as a tanker. He went to grade school at the Flackville school and remembered that all of the kids had to bring their own tin cup to get drinking water out of the pump out back.
The village of Flackville dates at least back to the 1890s. I found a newspaper article from that time period which covered the murder of a farmhand (can’t remember any of the details).
There used to be a church catty corner from the school that had a cemetery (or churchyard). The churchyard had disappeared by the late 1950s. A friend of mine who worked at a title company during that time told the story about a guy who wanted to put a gas station there and had come to get a map and title. When my friend told him about the churchyard, he didn’t believe it and started the construction. He became a believer pretty quick when they started finding the old caskets. There was quite a delay in construction while the churchyard was relocated.
In the thirty years that I’ve lived close by, the only use I remember seeing the Flackville School put to was for a short-lived Bingo Hall, and maybe the pizza place David remembers..
David, I believe the church at 30th and Tibbs has a pretty big yard to the east side of the building that if I remember correctly has a monument in the middle that mentions an old cemetery. I wonder if it’s the one you’re talking about.
Flackville was a former rural community in Pike Township when Pike Township was strictly a rural area, as earlier the iPS school at 46th and Central was Washington Township School ” 4. Vaguely remember when this was a rural area, riding northwest on US 52 to Chicago, and passing through the area, then outside Indianapolis. At that time Lafayette Road was highway business and farmland not far north of Cold Spring Road’s intersection. Damn! That dates me, as I also remember when Shadeland Avenue was State Road 100 (an eastern and northern bypass around Indianapolis, and Eastgate shopping center was preceded by an orchard!
Tom – It might be possible if the present church was a replacement for the old one. Although (according to my folks) the old one stood where the former gas station was on the corner opposite the school. Maybe the cemetery was larger and was originally on two sides of the road.
I remember seeing headstones where the monument presently is. They were there up until around 25-30 years ago.
It’s interesting that there are still old houses (cottages, really) along 30th street that may date back to when Flackville was a small farming village.
What would have been the streets bordering Flackville?
I am going to guess 30th street on the north, Lafayette road on the west, possibly Alton avenue or Tibbs avenue on the east. The aforementioned monument where the other gravestones were is at 30th and Tibbs. As far as the southern boundary, it’s hard to tell, but at Lafayette road and Halifax drive, there is an old house which seems out of place and may date back to the Flackville days.
Ok–here is an article from geneology.com that sheds some light on Flackville’s origins (looks like the moving of the cemetery was in the early 1960s and not the late 1950s)::
There was another article found from an Indianapolis Times paper dated June 18, 1962 titled “Flackville: Graveyard Moved to Make Way for Instant Suburbia.” In part it stated:
“Phillips recalled that Flackville actually started at the corner of Tibbs and Lafayette Pike, “but moved north to 30th when Joe Flack opened his grocery there about the turn of the century. Flack sold his grocery store to Wyatt Farrington, who constructed a new building and rented it to Carson Rush. In the meantime, Flack started a brickyard at 30th and Tibbs. Transportation of the bricks by truck to 16th necessitated traveling via Lafayette Pike, which was a toll road. ‘Old Joe didn’t like the idea of paying the toll – even though it was only three cents – so he bought a strip of land from a Mr. Landrey which paralleled the pike. And that was the start of Guion Road.’ Phillips reflected. It was that kind of shrewd operating which made Flack ‘the richest man in these parts,’ and naming the settlement in his honor followed naturally.” Another part of the article said, “Flackville might have survived – yes even flowered – had its founder bore a more melodic name. ‘It sounds pretty hicky, you gotta admit that,’ said Roy Kearns.” Another part, “Joe Flack’s brickyard – once the largest in the state – is gone. And so are the log cabins which surrounded it. The fields and farms are gone. The post office is one. The school, once a community gathering place, is now only one of many in the sprawling city system.”
I attended Flackville School 100 during 1961-64, first through third grades. My teachers were Mrs Payne, Mrs Walker, and Mrs Mahan. Mr Harker was the principal. The buses we rode were Indianapolis city buses which were repurposed as school buses in the mornings and afternoons. The bus routes were named for animals to make it easy for kids to recognize and remember: duck, cat, horse. I rode Duck Bus Number One.
Great story! Thanks for sharing!
I went to school 100 for 5th and 6th grades, school years 63-64, and 64-65. It only went up to 6th grade then. I was in a group of “gifted” kids, and my main teacher was Mrs. Quinn. Mr. Gordon Harker was the principal, and it is his voice that I remember coming over the PA system and announcing that “the President of the United States (pause) has been shot,” in November of 1963.
I Absolutely do remember that WOW how time flys
I also attended Flackville School 100 back in the late 60’s My first year there was 3rd grade and one of my teachers was Mrs. Steele (African American) she was my favorite teacher all throughout my school years there Then I started attending school 90 I can’t remember what the actual name of it was I was thinking maybe it had the name Moore in it but I’m not really sure It was located there at Tibbs Avenue and 17th Street I believe they moved the Cemetery when that big housing addition came in there on Tibbs I can’t remember the name of it but some of the streets were (Centennial, maybe not spelled correct) Goodlet and there was a park in the middle of the addition and it was called Centennial Park Mr. Harker at school 100 looked and seemed to be so mean but was really a good person I received 2 paddles from him when I attended there I had not been able to walk for weeks because of a bad Charlie Horse and one day he told me he could get rid of it if I wasn’t scared to let him I was in So much pain so I agreed and after he karate choped the back of my knee I thought I was going to die but after a couple hours the pain was gone and my leg was no longer locked in place I guess that’s probably when I realized he wasn’t that bad of a person after all I think most of the reason why I was scared of him is because he had such bulging eyes and was very Stern we lived at 17th and Livingston Avenue and I enjoyed the years we lived there We parked cars in our yard during the race season in May and had cookouts with the out-of-staters, oh I can’t forget the Cone Factory on Luet Street the workers would give them out to the kids in the neighborhood they were very warm just coming out of the ovens I still have some fond memories of that neighborhood and I’m glad I came across this post. thanks E.R.
I had Mrs Steele for 3rd grade too. I’m now 60 and she remains my favorite teacher—Mrs Goodman for 5th runs a very close second!
I attended IPS 100 from 71-73. My brother and I rode “Horse 2” to and from the school. Mrs. Goodman was one of my favorite teachers as well. Do you remember her brass ruler? More then once she corrected me with it! Ha.
Mr. Harker was the Principal at that time. Does anyone remember the picture of an “old locomotive train” on his office wall?
I can remember sitting in glass (Mr. Mills) and listening to the Indy cars drive around the track (Indy 500) just up the road. No AC, just open windows back then. Do you remember Ms. Hershey the music teacher? Have a great day!
Yes I remember her and I had Mr. Mills also and I remember the windows being open and the sound of the Indy cars we lived on Livingston Street only had to walk across the field to the track
Larry! I attended Flackville School 100 during 1967-1970 and remember Mr. Harker. I also rode the Duck bus, but can’t remember which one? Mr. Harker was very strict. I remember getting sent out into the hallway with a classmate (Nicky Massey) for talking and I was horrified as I was a good student and “feared the law.” Nicky, on the other hand, was used to being out in the hallway. Mr. Harker had a giant wooden paddle that everyone knew of. I was literally shaking as we heard him coming up the stairs near our classroom. He glanced our way and then turned to go the other way. I think he was shocked to see me out in the hall and didn’t want to spank me. I was so relieved when the teacher let us back into the room. I also remember the large play area just outside the parking lot. In the winters, the standing water would freeze making a giant skating pond. I fell really hard one time on the ice and got a concussion and was sent home.
Nick Massachusetts was a character he was fun
I attended Flackville 100 1st through 3rd grades starting in 1970. My 1st grade teacher was Miss Hall. My 2nd grade teacher was Mrs. Walker but she retired halfway through the school year. My 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. Steele. She made a life-long positive impression on me. I lived in fear of the principal, Mr. Harker – maybe just because he looked and sounded mean. I thought I would die the day I was sent to his office for running in the hall. I sat there for what felt like hours waiting for him to return to his office to administer some kind of horrible punishment. He walked into his office where I sat, took me by my upper arm and proceeded to return me to class. He said, “Young lady, don’t run in the halls.” I never did again! 😀 I’ve been back to see this school many times over the past 40 years and watched it sadly deteriorate. I’m not sure it’s still there now.
I went to school there too my teacher was Mrs. Steele she was the first black teacher I had and the only one that was sweet she was one of my favorites.
I rode the Duck bus also
Mrs Walker was my 4th grade teacher. She LOVED chocolate pie, and I loved her! I got my polio shots in the basement, from Eli Lilly. I LOVED the “Flackville Fall Festival.” I rode yellow school buses that said, “Marion Co. Wayne Twp.” on the side. I caught the bus on what was then 3101 North Medford Ave, I think that was 1957. we moved to Lebanon, IN, later that year. I wish they would rehabilitate and use that historic old building!
I attended Flackville School 100 from probably 1975 to 1977, kindergarten through 2nd grade. I remember even as a child being intimidated by the old building that seemed dilapidated, even then. We only lived a few blocks away at the beginning of Guion Road, but for some reason I want to say we rode the bus…Duck Bus One sure rings a bell. I live several hours away now, but whenever I get the chance I stop back through and look at the old school house and is amazed and glad that development hasn’t taken it’s place. It seems such a haunted old soul and I wish someone had the money and initiative to restore it to it’s former self. One of my teachers was Mrs. Arnett and I loved her…she was a black woman and said she always knew when it was going to rain because her hair got flat. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Carroll, always referred to herself in the third party, which confused me to no end. I recall a girl older than myself getting run over and killed by a bus in or near the parking lot around that same time during a snow….. always wondered what happened. Does anyone know? Or did my memory confuse hearing it from an adult and associating it with my own school? I’ve wondered that for years.
I believe your right that has joged my memory and also do remember the flower shop that was there on 30th Street that butted up against the school playground and someone killed a young girl that worked in there I remember that had me so scared for a long time You know we might know each other my name was Elisha Robertson I knew Kim Carter,Keeth Hoover Lisa Mendez, Kim and Joni Akers, Pat Wilson, Steve Price, Crystal Utley,Donna Gaines and so on and so on lol
I attended Ips 100 for 4th grade in 1976. I lived on Somerset north of 16th street. One of only two white girls, our black friends taught me how to fight during recess. I remember the sound of the hardwood floors on the 2nd floor where my classroom was.
Was in Indy this weekend and happened across an old school at 21st and college. Know anything about this old school? Is there a list of old IPS schools (still standing and razed)
We did a quickie feature on that school, Joe.
http://historicindianapolis.com/sunday-prayers-governor-morton-school-no-29/
I searched online for such lists, but have not found an accurate one.
I attended School 100 in ’78. I had Ms. Arnett mentioned above. A father of 2 now and i realize how rare a teacher like her is. She, as mentioned above, was awesome. She wore bright red lipstick and as a form of punishment she would kiss u on the forehead and make u wear her lipstick on your forehead the rest of the day!
I attended Flackville school from Set 1956 until 1962 that was 1st through 6th grade. During that time Flackville was annexed by the city of Indianapolis. Had that not happened I would have gone there until 8th grade then to Ben Davis High School (don’t quote that part) After the annexing we were sent off to IPS Ernie Pile School #90, where I met to pretty little girl that I would eventually marry.
Mr. Gordon Harker was the principal and one greatest story tellers/chalk artist (at least to an elementary student) ever
I remember the hardwood floors in the old part of the building had path ways worn in them and oh how they creaked.
1st grade Mrs. DeVille
2nd grade Mrs. Walker (I think)
3rd Grade Mrs. Bickle
4th grade Mrs. Chaleffe
5th Grade Mrs. Timmons
6th grade Mrs. Bymaster
I walked to school and remember 30th and Lafayette corner included a dry cleaners owned by Clarence Mann on SE corner Pam’s Drive in Rest on the SW corner Roy Kerns Shell Gas station on the NE corner and a Standard Gas station on the remaining corner. It exploded one afternoon while 2 attendants were smoking and transferring windshield washer fluid. I remember when the Rothkoff Brothers build the strip mall that included their pharmacy just NW of Bud’s Tavern. Maxsines Grocery was the next building NW of Pam’s. I also remember when Eagledale shopping center as well as Eagledale itself and played little league baseball on the ball diamonds constructed behind the shopping center
I do remember when the grave yard was relocated.
I haven’t been back in years farther NW along Lafayette was a Ford Dealership (Bob Phillips) The property was owned by his father John Phillips. He had small farm in that location he was nice enough to let us play ball in the corner out where Little Eagle Creek crosses under Lafayette Rd. Between The Phillips farm and the railroad overpass was Law’s Nursery and a old Dairy that became Hestons Concrete site.
Nice place to grow up
And I was with you in a few of those grades.
Hope you are well.
Bob, great memories, we lived on 30th street across from Hazel Brown who had the vegetable stand. I remember you, Dave Brockelhurst, Joel Law, Vicki Commeville aIl road bikes, and played along Guion Road. We collected papers for a paper drive and tied them in bundles and my Dad drove them to the school. I think our class won a party for the most pounds of paper!
I remember watching Eagledale shopping center being built, the graveyard and walking to school. My Dad, Robert Young owned the Standard Station for a few years, but sold it just before we started school. Kenny Toole lived in the house next to Standard Station.
First grade Mrs Payne
2nd grade Mrs Waggoner
3rd grade Mrs Chaleff I really liked her and was thrilled she was a 4th grade teacher the next year and I got her again
5th grade Mrs Jarvis
6th grade Mr Mills
I am living in Riley, IN 6 mi southeast of Terre Haute now. Haven’t seen the old school in years, so sad. This has brought back many memories.
Linda Young TIncher
Oh my gosh I had Mr. Mills for my teacher also he always wore such good smelling cologne tftm
I’m so glad you mentioned School 90 you’re exactly right Ernie Pyle I don’t know why I was thinking of it having the name Moore in it I was way off But I’m almost 61 now so that’s been a LONG time ago I still have a pretty good memory just isn’t as sharp as it used to be that’s all thanks for the memories
I attended Flackville School 100 from 1966-1972. K-6th grade, then on to School #90 for middle school. My family lived off Goodlet Avenue and we rode Duck bus # 2, to and from School. My mother used to work for Zayres Department Store in the plaza.
I have driven by there many times to take photos and the dilapidation of the building and property hurts my heart every time, but I’m still drawn to it. I remember if everyone was good, that once in a while, the teacher would walk us through the field to the Dairy Queen.
I remember some of my teachers: Mrs. Shockenzy , Ms. Hartman who got married, my favorite teacher was Ms. Grace Goodman who taught 5th grade and then Mr. Mills.
Principle Mr. Harker was a wonderful man and a fair disciplinarian who never gave me a paddling that I didn’t deserve. I also enjoyed him driving the train at the zoo. I still have all my class photos, maybe I should dig them out. I’m still in contact with a couple of my childhood friends who also attended at the same time.
My prayer for the school, I’ve always wished for the funds to restore the building and grounds into a family shelter.
I was in 6th grade at Flackville school 100 in 1962 I think. One of my older brothers Donnie Eberhard was 2 years ahead of me. Hank Eberhard was 2 years behind and Carol Eberhard was 3 years behind me. We lived at the east end of Roberta Dr east of Kinney Shoe store on Lafayette Rd. I remember the COLD winter walks home and the wonderful summery days as well. I only remember one teacher Mrs Dixon (or maybe Dickson) my music teacher. My single father had no money to buy me an new outfit for a singing program. Mrs Dixon bought me a beautiful navy blue pleated skirt with matching jacket, a nice white blouse pretty white anklets. I often wonder what ever happened to her. I also have such a charitable heart I often get myself into hot water. God Bless her.
Hi Linda, the Flackville School is being renovated
And is being turned into Senior Apartments
The School will remain standing this is what
The residents wanted Apartments are being built on
to the School it will house approximately 68 Senior Apartments. Rest and be at peace because the school is
Staying and being renovated. Feel free to contact
me. Jim Martin
I realize I’m late seeing all these post but I’m still glad to hear that about the school. tyftm
I’m not very computer nimble but I did happen upon an article in the Indianapolis Business Journal dated November 18, 2014. The article title “Old schools buildings would get new lives under developers plans” TWG Development LLC. A couple other old elementary schools also mentioned. Plans are to add 41,000 square feet to the existing like 32,000 square feet to build senior housing.
You had it right the first time it was Miss Dixon. Who did you have for a teacher in the 6th grade
Remember how big the rooms were and we sang good songs in music class and always did the pledge allegiance to the flag every morning I still remember some of the songs they were songs that made your heart glad I was trying to remember what the music teacher’s name was so now I know
Sorry but Miss Dixon is the only name I remember. We moved so much names never stuck. Short term memory problems I guess. But sure glad you can remember and enjoy so much. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry. I forgot to mention my taken-in brothers, Sam Moore, a year older than I, and Don Moore, my age.
I attended Flackville School 100 for 2nd-4th grades, 1972-75. I have many great memories of this place! I had Mrs. Jill Milligan in 2nd grade, Miss Elizabeth Horowitz in 3rd, and Mrs. Sara Mahan for 4th. The school seemed old and one-of-a-kind even then, and these teachers were so outstanding that after all these years, I’ve never forgotten them! Mr. Harker was the principal, and I remember getting sent to his office and being worried because he had a reputation as a tough old guy. It turns out my teacher had noticed that I was practicing writing in Old English cursive and knowing that Mr. Harker was a talented calligrapher, she sent me to his office without telling me why. He was very pleased and couldn’t have been kinder, encouraging me to keep practicing calligraphy and showing me some of his! These educators all went ‘above and beyond’ and gave me a love of learning that I still have! It’s a shame that the school has been allowed to fall into the sorry state it’s in today.
I agree it is so sad that brings back another memory I remember him now writing on the chalk boards he was very good tftm
Mr Harker’s granddaughter married my son. The stories Gordon could tell! He was a walking history book about anything in the Ben Davis area. I received his calligraphy items and art after he passed.
Not a pipe dream you should check into what is in store for it.
Brian Walters, I live away from Indianapolis now – what is in store for the grand old building?? I was back last year to look around, and there were broken windows and signs of homeless folks sleeping along the back and side of the building.
I drive by the school to and from work, and noticed recently a sign stating the building is being converted to the Eagledale Senior Apartments. Construction trailers went up in the past week or so, and I’ve seen people outside with plans looking over the building. So it looks like it will be restored soon to a good use, although it’s sad it couldn’t have retained its Flackville name in some way.
Hey John, are you the John Hale that was in Mrs. Quinn’s class? Hi, how’s it going? best regards, Phillip Scott
Do you remember or have contact with any other classmates?
Yes, I’m the John Hale from Mrs. Quinn’s class, sorry I didn’t see your post sooner to reply. No, I haven’t stayed in contact with any of our classmates from back then. The senior apartments there have apparently thrived since their construction in 2016.
Cool! it was a long time ago, but I have fond memories of you and several of our classmates. I hope that you have good health and wise children!
btw the last time I went to 100 was a few years ago, and a woman who live there wanted to know if I was the owner, that she had a lot of complaints lol She looked liked a professional complainer anyway
They are doing something with it FINALLY. They are renovating it to be Eagledale Senior Apartments.
Joni is this the same Joni that lived a few streets over from me ( Livingston Street)
Are you the Joni that lived at the very end of Livingston Street if you are do you remember Elisha Robertson
I attend PSI 100 from 1970-73. I remember riding the bus (horse 1) to and from school. My favorite teachers were Mrs. Goodman, Mr. Mills and Ms. Hershey.
Mrs. Goodman use to correct us by slapping our palms with an old brass 12″ ruler. She would also slip me change for lunch when I was a little short. LOVED HER!
Mr. Mills was our math teacher. What made him so cool was that he would was a bomber pilot in WWII. He would always have his REAL bomber jacket on with his reflective sun glasses on when he would tell us about all the missions that he had flown (he made me feel as if I could actually smell the oil and gas from the B-52). Very nice man! We would sit in his second floor classroom with the large windows wide open and we could all hear the Indy cars qualifying or tire testing at the track (Indianapolis 500). Great memories…
Ms. Hershey was our music teacher (my first teacher crush). One time when she was walking us down the hall she held my hand and I can still to this day remember how soft her hand was and how good she smelled. 🙂
I believe the principals name was Mr. Thompson… He loved trains and had a couple of old train pictures on the wall of his office.
some of my fellow students were;
Robin Miller
Ricky Cloud
Stewart ?
Brenda Pike
Well, this was a great trip down memory lane for me. Thank you, I hope someone can add to this in some way. Peace!
Big Joe, I was there at the same time. And, yes I had my hand smacked with that ruler.
Jim
Hi Big Joe,
You must have been in my grade along with Robin Miller, Ricky Cloud, Stewart Rowley, Don Rogers, Kathi Dimitroff, John Evans etc.
I don’t remember Brenda Pike though. I remember the first floor hallway leading down to the cafeteria, where the floor sloped down. The walls were a larger, beige subway tile, the girls bathroom located in the gym, where we conducted a seance with the lights off.
So many great memories! Fun to share with people who experienced “School 100”
Rose (Staton) Daley
Hi Rose! I think I knew you as Rosalie Staton. I attended school #100 for grades 4-6. I had Mrs. Milligan for fourth, Ms. Goodman for fifth, and Mr. Mills for sixth. Some kids I remember are: Mindy Findlay, Shannon Macy, Judy Kerr, Kathy Stenner, Stuart Rowley, Kathy Dimitroff, Eric Miller, and Robin Miller. I remember Ms. Goodman’s ruler and I remember her playing the piano for us. I remember she had some kind of surgery the year I had her and we had a sub named Mrs. Bitner. I lived on Lincoln Road behind Ritter High School and rode Cat 2 bus. One of the years I went there there was a teacher’s strike. I remember my bus having to go through the picket line to get to the building. I remember having to clean the chalkboard erasers in the basement by the gym on a vacuum cleaner that was rigged for that. I remember Mr. Harker. He scared me to death! I can’t remember the music teacher’s name but my music grade went from an A to a D in fifth or sixth grade cause I thought I was too cool to sing “Mama’s little baby loves shortnin bread.” Haha. Got in big trouble at home.
My great-grandmother Effie Mayfield went to this school. She was born in 1908 so she went when it was a new school. She was born in a barn by Guion road near what is now 38th street. It appears the Flack family owned 140 acres which is now eagledale shopping center and an oil field. They also owned 20 acres between Lafeyette and Kessler around 1930 or so. Further south was the marion county asylum for the poor or the poor farm as it was known.
Sorry her maiden name was Effie Adams.
Brian Strong, that is great information. I grew up on Guion Road just two blocks from 38th Street, I wonder if the barn is still there? Also, would you know what is at the location of the Poor Farm now and if there was a cemetery attached to it?
Shelly
No the barn was torn down in the early 80s to make room for business offices. Also the poor farm is now the Noble Arc Of Greater Indianapolis which helps people with finding work and people with disabilities. There is also the James Foster Gaines park who was with the Indianapolis Police Dept. for 27 years and devoted much of his time, energy and resources to mentoring youth and assisting people in need. There is also an experimental housing area that was built by IUPU back in the early 70s and also some apartments further west of those. There is also a very large solar array on the west side of the old poor farm that is ran by the 500 track I believe.
The experimental housing was called Park Lafayette and was a former school housing development turned public housing. Over time the government stepped in and turned the neighborhood into a low-income housing area for low-income families. Problems developed over the years at its height, more than 1,000 people were housed in these projects. Murder, arsons, drugs, assaults, violent crimes, and gang issues were common in the area. Crime became such an issue in these projects that the Indianapolis Police Department set up a station located inside the projects in an effort to curb violence. The area decayed to an all-time low in the late 1990s and early 2000s, after which the government shut down most of the area. There is also the El Dorado apartments further west of Park Lafayette.
Hello Elisha Robertson and how are you doing? I remember you and Kim Carter from 6th grade at school 100. I always wondered what happened to the both of you guys. Are you both still in Indianapolis?
Hi Charles I don’t remember you but I do Kim moved to Martinsville sorry it took me so long to get back with you I don’t get on here to often
This is interesting to me because I am attempting to locate the grave of an ancestor, Thomas J. Scott, who died on 20 May 1914 after committing suicide by ingesting carbolic acid (phenol), an agonizing death, by all accounts.
The coroner tried for a month to find relatives to claim his body but was unable to or they were unwilling to have him sent back to Tennessee for burial.
His death certificate says burial was at “Poor Farm” by George Steigman, who was the undertaker who had the contract to bury Marion county’s poor.
FindAGrave lists a Potter’s Field (indigent burials) at the site of Gaines Park, and that’s about the vicinity of where the poor farm was located (SE corner of section 28).
There was a huge scandal involving this cemetery and the county undertaker only partially burying bodies, selling bodies to medical schools while charging the county for a burial, etc. He subsequently did jail time over the whole deal and the newspapers are littered with stories of “grave robbing ghouls” at the “potter’s field” or poor farm cemetery.
I’d appreciate it if any of you with personal knowledge of that locale can tell me if there were cemeteries in the vicinity of James Foster Gaines park.
Thanks for the help. I suspect my odds of locating his grave are slim, but the “Whiteside scandal” led the county commissioners to move many of the graves from the poor farm to city cemeteries and to end burials there, contracting instead with city cemeteries like Crown Hill and Floral Park.
M L Campbell
You probably have but thought I would ask have you checked with floral Park
According to the 16 Aug 1903 edition of the Indianapolis News, the Poor Farm was located “2 miles north of the end of the West Michigan street car line. This fits with an 1876 map of Indianapolis and another newspaper story that says the poor farm was located “just west of Riverside Park.”
An 1899 article stated that “people who pass on the road between Haughville and the county asylum may see almost any day gravediggers at work in the graveyard connected to the (poor) asylum.”
Again, thanks for any help. I have a lot of feelers out on this but no luck thus far and I’ve read dozens if not hundreds of newspaper pages in my databases to try and locate the cemetery.
M L Campbell
The Cemetery you speak of was on the corner of 21st and Tibbs Ave on the propety of the poor farm. There were several large oak trees there and when construction started on the park the trees were removed and they found graves on that corner. I’m not sure where they were removed to maybe accross from Central State Hospital just south of curve and past Mt. Jackson Cemetery, there is a small grave site there unmarked for the most part. At one time there was a brick monument with names on it on the site. There are also cemeteries inside the fence of Central State Hospital, check with Medical Museum on that property. Good Luck !
I attended Flackville School from 1954 to 1960. Then to School 90 for 7th and 8th grade when this area became part of the Indianapolis public school system. Our family lived in an old house on the former site of Joseph Flack’s brickyard. There was a large crumbling brick pile on the edge of our yard. And the property (about 40 acres) was owned by the Meyer’s family. This area was located just north of Tibbs Ave and 30th St adjacent to St. Michael’s Church, school and convent. The 40 acres was later sold and became Seven Trails Apartments.
I remember your name.we were in the same class.