HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA

Civil War
SNAPSHOT TOUR

A GUIDE FROM THE

Hamilton County Historical Society

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Arcadia Arts & Heritage Depot
Carmel Clay Historical Society
Sheridan Historical Society
Westfield-Washington Historical Society

HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA

Civil War

SNAPSHOT TOUR

items that once belonged to soldiers and even a bugle

highlight the collection. But perhaps the most fascinating
item is a tree stump with a cannonball lodged in it. Downtown
Noblesville itself is a nod to the
past, incorporated in 1851 but
settled decades before that.

DONT

lthough the Civil War conflicts

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never reached north central Indiana,

like all of mid-19th century America,
Hamilton County residents still felt

Courthouse Memorial Plaza

its impact.

nearby, with a plaque of the

known Civil War dead from the
community.

Here is a snapshot tour of Hamilton Countys key

heritage sites to demonstrate how engaged its early
citizens were in the war between the states. Whether

Noblesville Visitors Center

Courthouse Square

youre a history buff, a resident or a visitor interested in

a communitys past, these experiences will add another

VisitHamiltonCounty.com
NoblesvilleMainStreet.org

viewpoint. Refer to map on page 15 for approximate

locations of each historic site!

Hamilton County Historical Society

HamiltonCountyHistory.org
Sheriffs Residence & Jail
Hamilton County Historical Society Museum
Courthouse Square, Noblesville
(317) 770-0775
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thur.-Sat.
(February-December and by appointment) FREE

his community historical society is located in the countys

839 Conner Street, Noblesville

(317) 848-3181
Noon - 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday (April - May),
Extended hours during special events; Open Sunday during special events
Noon - 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday (June - August),
Extended hours during special events. FREE

his 1860s commercial building-turned visitors center and

Noblesville Main Street offices was once the site of the Battle
of Tappins Woodpile. In the summer of 1864, the Democrats

former sheriffs residence and jail, c. 1875, and is a treasure

attempted to hold a pro-Confederate political rally at the

trove of Civil War ephemera available for study. Photographs,

Hamilton County Fairgrounds on the north side of Noblesville.

Locals objected, and a Methodist

park-like setting originally was

minister named Safety Layton made

named Noblesville Cemetery but

a speech by a woodpile in front

in 1895 was renamed Crownland

of Thomas Tappins photography

the crown symbolizing life after

studio at this site on Conner Street

death.

to counter it. Pro-Confederate rally

Most notable is a Civil War

participants then objected and

Monument, considered the

arguments ensued, turning violent.

centerpiece of the cemetery

One person was shot in the neck

and the reason for the name

by a man named Trittipo, resulting in his horse being killed in

of the adjoining street. It

retaliation. Leading citizens fled for their lives and the courthouse

was dedicated in a special

bell was rung to call up the militia to stop the fighting.

ceremony July 4, 1868. It

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If you have the time, take a walk from historic

was one of the first Civil War

downtown Noblesville up to Potters Bridge Park

monuments in the United

along the White River Greenway Trail for about a

States, cost $5,000, is made

mile (or drive if time is more limited north on 10th

of marble, 24 feet high, and

Street). Constructed a little after the Civil War (between 1870-1871) by

Josiah Durfee, and restored in 1999, the bridge serves as the centerpiece

Civil War Mon

ument,
Crownland Ce
metery

weighs more than 15 tons.

of the park and boasts beautiful views of the White River and is a great

Soldiers listed on the monument did not die in

place to observe wildlife in its natural habitat

the war. They were members of Civil War regiments formed

primarily in Hamilton County and many of them were at the

Crownland Cemetery
1776 Monument Street
Noblesville
Open sunup to sundown daily
FREE

ost older cemeteries hold an

abundance of Civil War history,

saw serious fighting in the war.

DONT

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The 30 Pounder Parrott Rifle canon, unused during

the war and acquired afterwards as surplus. It was
originally one of two installed on the courthouse
lawn beside a pile of cannonballs (which would not

bearing in mind that Civil War

have been used by this gun). This arrangement changed during a WWII

soldiers were alive as late as

scrap drive, when one cannon was melted down and this one was moved

the 1920s and now buried here.

dedication ceremony. The 39th, 75th, and 101st infantries all

to the cemetery.
Monument to Unknown Soldiers, erected in 1900 by the Womens

Crownland Cemetery, established in

Relief Corp, the womens auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic.

1867 after the close of the war, is no exception. This beautiful,

Numerous soldiers graves that dot the cemetery.

Indiana Transportation Museum

troops he would order the Hamilton Continentals into camp.

825 Park Drive

Forest Park, Noblesville
Various hours April-December and most weekends.
ITM.org for a schedule and times the collection is open
Fees vary

They returned to Noblesville on the hand car in the dusk of the

evening of Sunday, April 14, 1861, overflowing with enthusiastic
patriotism; they ran the car into the public square where
they found bonfires burning and throngs of waiting citizens.
The Hamilton Continentals were accepted as part of the

hile the bulk of the Indiana Transportation Museums

rail collection focuses on the 20th century, it does have a few

interesting pieces that tell a bit of Civil War history of the area.
A handcar there, not the original one, does provide a visual
backdrop to this great story of citizens and their engagement
with the war. Author Joe Burgess writes in Hamilton County
in the Civil War, that when the announcement of the firing
on Fort Sumter took place, the telegraph line at Noblesville
was not functioning well, prompting Capt. John D. Evans,
Corp. Theodore W. McCoy, and two other men from the only

6th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers and were the first officially

recognized Indiana unit of the Civil War.

Arcadia Brethren Cemetery

8989 E. 266th Street
Arcadia
Open sunup to sundown.
FREE

nother beautiful historic

cemetery, adjacent to Arcadia

organized military company in the county, the Hamilton

Brethren Church, this is the final

Continentals, to borrow a handcar from the section boss of

resting place for many 19th century

the Peru and Indianapolis Railroad

Hamilton County residents. Civil War

to gather updated news for the

soldier Jacob A. Bryan (1848-1916),

anxious citizens. This was on the

123rd Indiana Infantry, mustered in Dec. 14, 1863 as a private,

first Sunday of the war and the day

mustered out Aug. 4, 1865 as a corporal, is buried there and

that Sumter was evacuated. Captain

his grave is marked with a statue of a Civil War soldier.

Evans, a political friend of Gov.

Oliver P. Morton, took these men
with him to see the governor and
offered the services of the Hamilton
Continentals. This offer Morton promptly accepted, telling
the men that this was the first company offered and although
he had received no call for troops, he hourly expected a call
from the President. As soon as he would receive a call for

DONT Nearby
Strawtown

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Koteewi Park,
east of Cicero,
home to hiking trails along the
White River, an archaeology
adventure area, and other tributes
to this areas natural history.

in the South. The chapel,

Arcadia Arts & Heritage Center

ArcadiaDepot.org
107 W. South Street
Arcadia
11 a.m.- 2 p.m., Saturdays
(June-Oct.), and by appointment. FREE

constructed in 1858, was

initially affiliated with

h prior
Roberts Chapel Churc
bell tower.
the
of
to the addition
rg
sSettlement.o

Robert
Picture courtesy of

the Wesleyan church. In

the 1920s the church
affiliated with the African
Methodist Episcopal

uilt a few years after the Civil War

(A.M.E.) denomination. Several men from the community joined

ended, in 1869, this historic depot is

the Union Army when the war started. Five of them are buried in

nonetheless a treasure trove of local

the cemetery behind the church: Private Samuel Matthews (28th

history and lore. Not only can you learn

USCT), Private Gooding T. Newsom (28th USCT), Sargent John

about

S. Newsom (31st USCT), Corporal Nathaniel Rice (77th New York

the history of the train and interurban

Infantry), and Recruit Richard Roberts (8th USCT).

systems that ran through this once

thriving gas boom-era town,
you also can see interesting
remnants of Civil War history,
such as a wooden leg and
invitation to 50th anniversary
of the Battle of Gettysburg all
while learning about the glass

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Historic downtown
Arcadia, or nearby historic
Cicero and Atlanta, both
also remnants of a gas
boom era.

that was manufactured here.

Roberts Settlement
RobertsSettlement.org
3102 East 276th Street
Atlanta
Grounds open sunup to sundown;
chapel open for special programs only. FREE

DONT

Roberts homecomi
Today the
ng circa 1950.
Picture courtesy of
RobertsSettleme
hundreds
nt.org
of Roberts
Settlement family descendants
still meet at the church. Look
up and down the road in front
of this historic chapel and youll
see beautiful farmland as well
as houses that remain there
from the 19th century. At one
time, more than 300 people populated this free settlement.

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oberts Settlement was founded in 1835 by free blacks

of mixed racial heritage who migrated mostly from North

Carolina and Virginia to escape deteriorating racial conditions

Sheridan Historical Society

SheridanHistoricalSociety.net
308 S. Main St.
Sheridan
(317) 758-5054
1-4 p.m., Tuesday and Friday, and by appointment FREE

his small historical society takes its hometown pride seriously

with an amazing collection, not the least of which is the Boxley

cabin, Virginia-born abolitionist, George Boxley, who fled
Spotsylvania County, Virginia, after allegedly fomenting a slave
rebellion in the winter of 1816. He was jailed, and escaped using
a spring saw smuggled
by his wife, Hannah. He
vanished, heading north.
But his life as a fugitive
meant that he was chased

DONT

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The cabin is located in

Founders Park, a great
and cool respite on a hot
summers day. There, you
can imagine 19th century
travel along the Lafayette
Trace route, initially used by
native people and later by
white settlers to travel to the
northwest.

relentlessly by bounty
hunters for 12 years. He
eventually settled in
Sheridan, taught school,
ran a store and brought his
family northward to live.

WWHS.us
145 South Union Street
Westfield
(317) 804-5365
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays, and by appointment FREE

any communities claim to have

Underground Railroad stories, and

they do. But few have the rich and
unparelleled history of this Quaker
settlement, which served as a key
south-to-north passage to Canada.
Located in a former firehouse, you
will see exhibits on the Underground
Railroad and the central figures
that played a role in the passage
of slaves through this small
community. Seasonal programs

Voices from the Pa

st, Westfield Parks

offered by the Westfield Parks

Department bring these stories to life, especially
Voices from the Past, a September favorite.

At the historical society

on Main Street, you can
find a rare Civil War flag, a
drum, revolver and many
stories to capture your
imagination.

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Westfield-Washington
Historical Society

DONT

In addition to walking
around the Westfield
downtown area and
spotting many Civil
War era houses, stop by the Friends
Cemetery, with interpretive markers that
tell you the story of how this community
became so active in abolitionism.

MISS

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Carmel Clay Historical Society

CarmelClayHistory.org
211 1st St. SW
Carmel
(317) 846-7117
February and October, and by appointment
5:30-7:30 p.m., Fridays; 1-4 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays;
6-9 p.m., every second Saturday of the month

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ocated in the old Monon Railroad Depot, the Carmel Clay

Historical Society boasts a well-organized archival collection of

Eller Cemetery
Allisonville Road and 106th Streets
Fishers
(317) 846-7117
Open sunup to sundown
FREE

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ller Cemetery, another historic resting place,

boasts the grave of James Payne featured under

research materials on this early Quaker community. Also find artifacts

a slightly altered name in the recent book Ghost of

from the exhibit Life on the Homefront, that chronicles how those

Cheeney Creek for young readers and brings up

who stayed behind during the Civil War survived. Artifacts include

the subject of records (or mistaken records) of deserters. Payne

currency, a wallet, cabinet

likely was not a deserter since he is recorded as receiving benefits

cards of Civil War soldiers

after his honorable discharge in 1865, even though he is listed

and small boys also dressed

early in 1862/63 as one. This deserter status stayed with him

as soldiers, and the drafting

despite it being dubious.

document for a local Quaker

and his reply, dated the day
after the war was over, stating
Station workers at Carmels Monon
Depot . This picture is looking south down

the Monon line toward Indianapolis. ca. 1890.

DONT

he objected on religious
grounds.

A walk or bike
ride north on the
Monon Trail, now
on the bed of
the former railroad, transports you to a
charming neighborhood of 19th century
homes, tree-lined streets and another era.

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DONT

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Not far is the

Ambassador House
& Heritage Gardens.
In the early 19th
Addison
century, a two-story log house was built on
Harris
what is now the northwest corner of 96th
Street and Allisonville Road. Fashioned by Thomas Wests
descendants, this home near the White River became part of
the 200+ acre farm owned by Addison and India Harris at the
turn of the century. A prominent Indianapolis attorney, Harris
served as U.S. Ambassador to Austria-Hungary from 1899-1901.
They used the historic house, since moved, as a summer home.
Its beautifully situated in recreated gardens and includes a
walking trail along the White River.

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266th St-W

266th St-E

ARCADIA

236th St-W

Train Stops

236th St-E

Nickel Plate Rail Line

47

ida

nA
v

216th St-E

Fees vary

Monon Trail

CICERO

211th St

Carrigan Rd
209th St

31

recognized interactive history

Little Chicago Rd

an

Av

Westfield Rd

32

Indianapolis
Executive
Airport

161st St-W

161st St-E

146th St-W

146th St-E

191st St-E

1
Fisherb

Rd
yT
ree
err

enfi

eld

Av

Main St

City Center Dr

Av

141st St-E

Promise Rd

Rd

Rd

River

126th St-E

nvill
e

e
Hoosi C
g&
Racin
69

131st St-E

12

131st St-E

mpus

126th St-E

Cumberland Rd

10

leton

38

37

238
126th St-E

Carmel Dr

M
ic
hi
ga

37

Rd

FISHERS

School

11

Brooks

106th St-E

116th St-E
Gray Rd

116th St-E

431

Hazel Dell Rd

Guilford Rd
College Av

106th St-W

Meridian St

meet several people during your journey. Along the way, take in

Ditch Rd

116th St-W

Pennsylvania St

the effects of the war on the homefront and battlefront as you

theatrical presentations that use audio, visual and special effects

136th St-E

n
R

activities also available for younger visitors. This is a not-to-bemissed experience.

Besides the Civil War Journey, Conner
Prairie also pays tribute to pre-Civil
War America and the settling of the old
Northwest Territory, where you start to
see some of the beginnings of the abolition movement that
contributed to the conversation about slavery. And, youll see more
recent history through interactive science and technology exhibits
indoors in Create.Connect that tell the story of a rapidly growing
post-war industrial America.

DONT

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technology to put you in the middle of the raid. Age-appropriate

96th St-W

32

E/ Ca

Alliso

St
n
ia
id
er

31

131st St-W

CARMEL

urg Rd
Pend

Gre

ld

Gen. John Hunt Morgan and his calvary in 1863. Experience

rid

southern Indiana town of Dupont following a raid Confederate

Towne Rd

Shelborne Rd

Me
Smoky Row Rd

Rangeline Rd

Balloon Voyage. In the journey, visitors are transported to the

Strawtow

NOBLESVILLE

146th St-

S
ian

13

216th St-E

Ch

Journey experience, as well as flights on the pre-war 1859

Hazel Dell Rd

Li

tt

le

Cr
ee

Oak Ridge Rd

including the immersive 1863 Civil War

gton Av

226th St-E

10th St

32

id

Huntin

37

234th St-E Strawtown Av

19

Av

and hands-on activities,

er

WESTFIELD

park features numerous indoor

and outdoor historical areas

Sh

Hague Rd

his internationally

213

Boden Rd

er

Cumberland Rd

Sh

Cumberland Rd

38

Cicero Av

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays-Sundays, late March to early April

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesdays-Sundays, May through November 1

231st St-E

Prairie Baptist Rd

38

Prairie Baptist Rd

Sheridan
Airport

Allisonville Rd

12

281st St-E

Mill Creek Rd

ConnerPrairie.org
13400 Allisonville Rd.
Fishers
(317) 776-6000

ATLANTA

SHERIDAN
Six Points Rd

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

296th St-E

Olio Rd

Hamilton Boone Rd

296th St-W

96th St-E

Hamilton
County Historical Society
465
465
Courthouse Square, Noblesville

Roberts
Settlement
69
3102 East 276th Street, Atlanta

INDIANAPOLIS

86th St-E

Noblesville Visitors Center

839 Conner Street

Sheridan Historical Society

308 S. Main St.

Crownland Cemetery
1776 Monument Street, Noblesville

Westfield-Washington Historical Society

145 South Union Street, Westfield

Indiana Transportation Museum

825 Park Dive, Forest Park, Noblesville

Clay Historical Society

10 Carmel
211 1st St. SW, Carmel

Arcadia Brethren Cemetery

8989 E. 266th Street, Arcadia

11

Arcadia Arts & Heritage Center

107 W. South Street, Arcadia

Eller Cemetery
Allisonville Road and 106th Streets,
Fishers

12

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers

82nd St

For more information on Hamilton Countys heritage activities,

go to VisitHamiltonCounty.com/history.

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HAMILTON COUNTY

Historical Society
P.O. Box 397
810 Conner Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
317.770.0775