Middletown Fall Creek Historical Society

Middletown Fall Creek Historical Society We have a Fall Creek Township Genealogy Library and a Fall Creek Township Artifacts Museum that is open to the public for use.

Operation hours are subject to change. Hours are also available by appointment.

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN- 1887Part 5- final article by Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary.While most of the Mills/Fac...
06/18/2026

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN- 1887

Part 5- final article by Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary.

While most of the Mills/Factories that depended on the Gas for manufacturing were here for 9 years, before the availability of natural gas started to dwendle, they did provide growth and development in Middletown.

With the Gas Wells the railroad also actively assisted with economic development for Middletown.

The west part of town was platted and grew from farm land to residential with some business. During this time, streets and sidewalks were installed, grocery stores were opened, and most important, it showed that by working together, Middletown residents could bring about effective changes for the good of our town.

Below is one of the oldest railroad photos as the train was coming through Middletown. It is believed that this is a coal or wood powered engine pulling the train.

Put the date on your calendar! Our next meeting will be held on June 25 at 6:30 pm at the Historical Society building o...
06/10/2026

Put the date on your calendar! Our next meeting will be held on June 25 at 6:30 pm at the Historical Society building on Locust Street in Middletown. We would truly enjoy having several of you who follow our page and make comments on our historical posts to join us as often as you are available. Membership is $15 a year. We truly would love more of our friends and followers to join us.

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN- 1887Part 3 of this series by Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary After gas was found a board...
06/09/2026

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN- 1887

Part 3 of this series by Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary

After gas was found a board of trade was organized to promote business growth. The board members were:
JP Shoemaker President, Willis Wisehart Vice-President, WN Showalter Treasurer, and JO Lambert, Fred Tykle, John Hedrick, AS Miller, GC Swain were directors.

This organization negotiated a contract between Indiana Glass Company and a group of citizens of Middletown to build and manufacture glass in 1890. Their formal opening was November of 1890.

AS Miller, Ben Davis, George Swain assumed control of the company management. The factory was located at the end of 13th Street near the railroad. The railroad laid switches into the plant. The company sold in train car load lots to firms all over the country.

Due to the extreme heat the glass blowers worked from September to July each year. The company would stop manufacturing in July and August to allow time for repairs and increasing the size of the building.

The Indiana Glass Company platted the ground east and south of the factory. These lots were put up for sale, and this west end of Middletown began to expand.

Ref:
Memories, Dreams and Reflections of Middletown, 1975.

The Indiana Gas Boom of 1886.

The Middletown Fair was organized in 1871 for the Henry, Madison and Delawae County Agricultural Society's annual event....
06/08/2026

The Middletown Fair was organized in 1871 for the Henry, Madison and Delawae County Agricultural Society's annual event. It was located on north 8th Street just south of road 236 (Mill St.), now the Fairfield Addition. Nimrod Elliott was the first president.

The fair grew in popularity for the next 60 years for the hotly contested horse racing, farm implements, leather goods, furniture, machinery, flowers, art, cariages, a lady's balloon race and Lady's equestrian events and family picnics, etc.

The fair became even more poplular with the 1905 interurban line coming to town and an additional railroad "side track" added for more passenger train cars. A taxi service from downtown was needed to provide service to and from the event.

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN -1887Part 2- Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary After the first well was established, Middle...
06/07/2026

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN -1887

Part 2-
Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary

After the first well was established, Middletown began to grow. The Middletown Gas Company was formed and stock shares were sold by the company. The board of directors were, Captain Tykle, President, Andy Miller Vice President, G. L. Swain Secretary, W.L. VanCleve Treasurer, and E.L.Elliott, J.P. Shoemaker, Willis Wisehart members.

This brought a boom to Middletown business with factories locating here and homes being built for residents. Property values climbed and Middletown began the boom era.

Miller Brothers Drug Store was the first business in town to use natural gas for illumination purposes (the first lighting inside a store). This store was located on 5th Street.

Several gas wells were dug in sections of Middletown and the Middletown Gas Company served the town until Central Indiana Gas Company purchased it in 1913.

Part 3 will be posted in a couple of days.

Ref:
1. Memories, Dreams, Reflections of Middletown, 1975.

2. Historic Gas Boom of Indiana, 1886.

This week, one of the local citizens of our area sent a photo of the old Liebhardt Mill just south of Middletown. Our h...
06/07/2026

This week, one of the local citizens of our area sent a photo of the old Liebhardt Mill just south of Middletown. Our historical society board member that takes care of technology for us, Larry Bennett, found this same photo but in a better quality. You are free to save to your collection.

Notice the water wheel on the far right building.

Lisa Hawk, board secretary

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN -1887When was the last time you drive through the west end of Middletown? We have l...
06/06/2026

NATURAL GAS WAS FOUND IN MIDDLETOWN -1887

When was the last time you drive through the west end of Middletown? We have lots of history for our town from this area.
Here is the FIRST PART of my story-
Lisa Hawk, Board Secretary

Did you know that natural gas was discovered in Middletown?

In 1887 a large Derrick was brought in to drill. The first gas well was dug at the northwest corner of 5th and Columbia St. The drillers also hit quicksand while working. Finally they found the gas below the limestone layers.

Then, the drillers decided to “shoot the well”. Mr. O.J. Woods came to do this work. Nitro-glycerin was used. When the process was set up and ready to go, Mr. Woods used a “Go Devil” and dropped it into the new gas well! And, 43 seconds later… everyone heard the explosion like a cannon! It took about 5 hours for the workers to cap this well.

More about the natural gas wells and business in Middletown will be posted later this week!

Ref:
1. Memories, Dreams, Reflections of Middletown, 1975.

2. Historic Indiana Gas Boom of Indiana, 1886.

06/06/2026

Be sure to follow us and share our page with family and friends. We love sharing the history of Middletown and Fall Creek Township with everyone!

As you finish with the fun of fair week, drive by this building and look up at the top. Did you know this name was on t...
06/06/2026

As you finish with the fun of fair week, drive by this building and look up at the top. Did you know this name was on the building? This is what I call the old Shott’s hardware store, but I know at one time the post office was in one corner of the store.

Address

529 Locust Street
Middletown, IN
47356

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+17653542000

Website

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