Westfield Washington Historical Society & Museum

08/29/2026

The building Funderburgh's Grocery occupied at 102 S. Union never experienced a fire like all the buildings surrounding it at one time or another, even though it was a completely wooden building. However, we did find one fire at this location. Boys playing with fireworks set the awnings on fire and they were completely destroyed. The newspaper article covering it follows.

It makes sense that if you were traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago you would be on the Range Line now known as Union Street. This was the "highway" to Chicago. It also gives you an inkling into the mind of one 14-year old boy in 1940 on a weekend during the school year. Westfield was located on the path "to see the world" he told the Deputy Sheriff. It appears Neil was born in Aurora, IL, maybe wanting to get closer to home.

Range Line was also the very same road used by most former slaves seeking freedom around 100 years prior who came through Westfield.

What happened to Neil? He graduated high school, was working at the Indianapolis Star when he filled out his WWII Draft card, and then enlisted in the Army for the Korean War in 1943. Public records show he died in 1992. Westfield was just one part of the world he saw.

08/27/2026

It’s interesting how a colorized version of a photo brings more things into focus. This was an old newspaper article about the 1898 fire in downtown Westfield . Upper left is the Old Corner Drugstore which became Funderburg’s Grocery and then Pickett’s Cafeteria, which has now moved north on Union Street and is the restored gold building. Notice the water trough front and center. And notice the beautiful two-story brick building with ornate windows and architecture that’s in the upper right of this photo. There is so much to see in this photo including the people of the day and wagon, which would’ve been a normal site on what is now State Road 32 but then was a dirt street known as Main Street.

(Thanks to Stephen Gray, one of our readers, who cleaned up this photo for us.)

08/26/2026

Longtime Westfield resident, prominent Hamilton County attorney, supporter and member of the Westfield Washington Historical Society and Museum, Joseph Grant Roberts died on the morning of August 24, 2026.

Joe, his wife Leanna, and Stuart Neal authored the local history book "Our Westfield" for the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Westfield, Indiana.

He and his family lived on Stalker Homestead, a historic place settled by Leanna's ancestors when they received the original land grant in the early 1830's.

His graveside services will be August 31, 2026 at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville, at 11:00 am. (Sent by Bruce Hansen - many remember Joe and his valued support of WWHS.)

Joseph was the father of our Board Member/Recorder Tom Roberts. Our condolences to the family. Rest in peace, Joe.

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

With development happening in Hortonville now it is interesting to take another look at Steve Osborne's drawing of the layout in 1900. Steve was a lifelong resident, 1941 until his passing earlier this year. He was also a long-time member and friend of WWHS. Our Museum has a display of farming in the Hortonville area and many items from Steve's family.

But lest we forget Hortonville was a settlement and for many years Westfield's Comprehensive Plan categorized it as one of 4 villages with protections as such, here is a historic picture of Hortonville.

Does anyone have more information they would like to share? With development Hortonville as we have known it is leaving.

08/14/2026

08/10/2026

Come see us in the center of the Middle School Gymnasium tonight 5-7:30 pm for Rock The Block! Join our Wooden Nickel Drawing.

08/08/2026

The front is taking shape. Getting some paving today for the gold-previously-green building.

08/05/2026

WWHS will have an indoor booth, historic materials, stickers, and grab for prizes.