Dec. 27
In 1957, owner H.J. Ricks said the North Gate Shopping Center was about a week ahead of schedule and that the Greenfield shopping center would open around Feb. 1, 1958. Roselyn Bakeries, Tuchman Cleaners and a gift shop were among the businesses expected.
Dec. 28
In 1917, “the most disastrous fire Greenfield has had in years” severely damaged the Rottman building on West Main Street, along with a large amount of furniture.
Dec. 29
In 1941, Jack Benny’s radio program was so enjoyable to Mrs. J.D. Stafford of Greenfield that she wrote a letter commenting. In return, as reported in the Feb. 19, 1942, Daily Reporter, the entertainer mailed her his script of the evening’s broadcast.
Dec. 30
In 1965, Greenfield City Council accepted a deed to about eight acres of wooded land at what was the northwest edge of the city. It was a gift from Mary Moore in memory of her parents and was to be known as Moore Memorial Park.
Dec. 31
In 1936, a Marion County Superior Court judge issued an order to abandon interurban service of the Indiana Railroad effective midnight Jan. 9, 1937, as a result of unsuccessful wage negotiations.
In 1992, the Rev. Mark Fisher of Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church was named Newsmaker of the Year for his opposition to a horse racing facility in Hancock County.
Jan. 1
In 1937, former Hancock County auditor Lawrence Wood and former Hancock County recorder Hazel Thompson were married at Greenfield Christian Church.
In 1967, services began in a new Fortville Christian Church building. The 22,000-square-foot building was constructed for $250,000. Mary Rushton and her family had donated six acres of land from a field about one mile south of Fortville in memory of Frank M. Rushton.
In 2002, a tree fell on a car driven by Buck Creek Baptist Church pastor Stan Jones, killing him, his wife, and two of the couple’s three children. Surviving daughter Emily was raised by an aunt and uncle. She graduated from New Palestine High School in 2016 and Purdue University in 2020.
Jan. 2
In 1960, Stringtown Church of the Nazarene burned down. Members met at the Memorial Building in downtown Greenfield while rebuilding their house of worship.
