Podcast – Eli Stout Print Shop

Located near the Red House, the last building on the tour is the Eli Stout Print Shop. Mr. Stout served as the printer for the Indiana Territory. He received $500 per year to print the laws passed by the Territorial Assembly. The building originally stood on Second Street before the State moved it to this location. The shop has a printing press similar to the one Stout used. A fire in the print shop destroyed his press. The shop also has a replica newspaper of one he printed, type cases and other tools used by printers of that era. Continue reading Podcast – Eli Stout Print Shop

Vincennes State Historic Sites

The buildings in the State Historic Site include a log barn that serves as a visitor center, a schoolhouse, the old Territorial Capitol and the Eli Stout Print Shop. The State of Indiana has moved all the buildings here from other locations and all are Indiana State Historic Sites. The tour costs a nominal fee and includes all four buildings. It will take about half an hour and is well worth the investment Continue reading Vincennes State Historic Sites

Podcast – Lesko Park and Dearborn Trail – Dearborn County, Indiana

Lesko Park occupies a grassy, landscaped strip along the Ohio River waterfront. There are three parking areas strung along Indiana State Road 56 just west of downtown Aurora. River access for boats is nearby using the Aurora Landing just off Judiciary Street. The park derives its name from Aurora Clerk-Treasurer Tony Lesko.
Lesko Ohio River Park features a wide, asphalt walkway which is about a mile long. The walkway provides a great way to get a bit of exercise after a picnic lunch. It is an easy hike along the river. Continue reading Podcast – Lesko Park and Dearborn Trail – Dearborn County, Indiana

Podcast – The Disastrous Jamestown Third Supply Mission

The Sea Venture was the first ship designed as an emigrant ship and included several new interior design features. The hold was designed to accommodate passengers. Previous vessels had their defensive guns placed below decks. This placement called for a double-planked hull so it could withstand the concussion of the cannon. The Sea Venture’s guns were on the main deck, eliminating this need. The Sea Venture had a displacement of 300 tons. Many sea historians think she was the first single timbered ship built for immigration. Continue reading Podcast – The Disastrous Jamestown Third Supply Mission

Podcast – Indiana’s Pivot Point

Greetings, Today I will discuss the Pivot, or Initial Point in Indiana.
What is the Pivot Point, you ask? Well, it is the initial point of all land surveys in Indiana. The point was established by a surveyor team led by Ebenezer Buckingham on September 1, 1805. I did visit the site in the summer of 2025, however I did not walk back to the actual stone marker, as it is on private land. An historical marker near the road is about 600 yards east of the stone pillar. Continue reading Podcast – Indiana’s Pivot Point

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife lovers should think about making a trip to Muscatatuck National Wildlife Area. The Refuge is on US 50 just east of Seymour, Indiana. The diversity of wildlife visible to even casual visitors to the Refuge is a delightful thing to see. The Refuge consists of 7,724 acres of which forestland covers about seventy percent. The remainder is wetlands managed by National Park Service personnel. The Refuge is in both Jennings and Jackson Counties, however the entrance is near Seymour, in Jackson County. Continue reading Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge