Hancock County Historical Society

04/06/2026

Happy Easter!

04/04/2026

April 3rd, 1974

This F4 tornado wreaked havoc on Hancock County and other Hoosier Communities during the "Super Outbreak" on April 3rd and 4th 1974. The first picture is a photograph of a large tornado as it was on the ground in the Wilkinson and Shirley area on its way to Kennard. The photo was taken from Route 140 in Knightstown. The next picture (with the bus) was taken in front of (facing south) of Eastern Hancock High School. The following picture was looking to the northwest outside of Knightstown High School, and the last three photos are maps detailing all of the different tornadoes sighted that day.

This was the most destructive tornado outbreak of the 20th century. During a 16-hour period, 148 tornadoes hit 13 states, including Indiana. The path of destruction stretched 2,500 miles, from Windsor, Ontario as far south as Alabama. More than 300 people died and more than 5,000 were injured. The most notable tornado in this group destroyed much of Xenia, Ohio, where the force of the tornado lifted railcars from their tracks.

Brigette Cook Jones
Hancock County Historian

03/20/2026

Hello Spring!

03/20/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to our weekly engagement list! 🎉 David Osborne, Mary Elliott, Greg Bennett, Deanna Reed, John Beagle

03/15/2026

The beautiful downtown Masonic Temple in Greenfield!

03/12/2026

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Gracie Lynn, Portia Smith, Steve Wicker, Annette Cottey Taylor, Robert Riley, John Beagle, Rick Wall, Nancy Sauer Mann, Brycen Bowling

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

03/10/2026

GREENFIELD – Legend has it that the Wet Tenderloin was invented right here in Greenfield, and Charlie Vetters is on a mission to explore the tastiest gravy-smothered sandwiches in the city.

03/09/2026

Richard Johnson shared this photo to the Greenfield Past to Present Group of his grandparents store: The Baby - Teen Shop.

The Baby - Teen Shop was located at 19 N. State St. There is a parking lot there now. The shop opened on May 1, 1948. It was located in the Eagles Lodge Building. A new Bedford Limestone front and display window were installed in 1949. K. R. Amos was the original owner.

A major fire in the apartment above the shop caused it to close in October of 1973 due to smoke and water damage.

By 1974, this space would become the Karolyn Sowden School of Dance, and by 1977 it was the Lynn Hurrle School of Dance. By 1980, it was the Democratic Party HQ.

This building was demolished in 2000...along with the next door Ashley's Carpet building.

03/09/2026

A history mystery from Greenfield Historic Landmarks

History Mystery...Your help is needed to solve!

Does anyone have any information on this house and family? This photograph is in the Greenfield Historic Landmark's archives with no information...it may not even be in Hancock County.

The home certainly has wonderful Victorian trim on the porch and the front gable, and a decorative fence as well!!