Historians Joe Skvarenina and Linda Dunn in front of the Hancock County prosecutor’s building, which was the county jail in 1875 when a mob entered and abducted William Keemer. Skvarenina and Dunn were instrumental in winning approval for the new historical marker.
Daily Reporter file photo
GREENFIELD – A public dedication ceremony for an Indiana state historical marker commemorating the lynching of William Keemer is coming up at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 24.
The event will take place near 1821 E. Main St., Greenfield; parking is available at the Greenfield BMV.
The public is invited to attend the dedication for this historical marker that examines the evolution of race relations across the state. According to a press release from the Indiana Historical Bureau Division of the Indiana State Library, the lynching of William Keemer was one of several racial terror lynchings that occurred in Indiana from the mid-1800s to 1930. The Daily Reporter featured a historic article about the event in 2021.
The marker was completed through the efforts of a community coalition that included the Hancock County Historian, local business leaders, the Indiana Historical Bureau, descendants of William Keemer, the Beech Settlement, and Roberts Settlement, and other community partners. More information is at www.IN.gov/history.
