Moment of Indiana History

Latest Stories

A grainy black-and-white photograph of the Greek Revival-style third Indiana State House in Indianapolis, featuring a large central dome, classical columns, and bare winter trees in the foreground with a person walking on a path.

The Second Statehouse: From Greek Revival to Greek Ruin

Indiana's ill-fated second statehouse was acclaimed as "the nearest approach to the classical spirit of the antique yet instanced in the Western hemisphere".

Prohibition in “Bone Dry” Indiana

Indiana’s “bone dry” law outlawed the possession of all liquor—even for medicinal purposes. And even in the hands of the state's best known temperance crusader.

Mudlavia: Indiana’s Other Resort

French Lick is known for its Pluto Water and Martinsville once boasted numerous artesian water spas; less remembered is Warren County's “Mudlavia” resort.

Bankers Packing Heat

A rash of robberies in the 1920s prompted bank employees to take up arms in the name of vigilante justice.

Advice For A Wayfaring Stranger, Headed For The Ohio Valley

A French expatriate promised her nephews Ohio Valley acreage if they made the voyage, entreating them to bring along apricot cuttings and eau de cologne.

"Moment of Indiana History" was a weekly two-minute radio program exploring Indiana History. The series was a production of WFIU Public Radio in partnership with the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS).

The program began as a co-production of WFIU, Bloomington, and WBAA, West Lafayette as a module to air on IPBS radio stations. From 2007 to 2014, the series was produced by WFIU for broadcast by IPBS stations as well as other entities interested in Indiana history. Now being re-released every Wednesday and Saturday.

Trail of Death
Stephen S. Harding: Decrying Slavery in Uncertain Times

Although most of his contemporaries had no interest in abolition and little sympathy for slaves, Harding tried to persuade hostile audiences across Indiana.
Representing Indiana To The World

Nearly one in seven Hoosiers attended the 1893 Chicago World's Fair during its run.
Survival and Forgiveness: Eva Kor
Golden Circle, Dark Plot

Historians concur that there were many Southern sympathizers in Indiana. Whether they were plotting the violent overthrow of the state government is unclear.
Serving Justice, Taking Notes: Isaac Blackford

Blackford’s greatest contribution to the development of the state’s jurisprudence came through his work as the first reporter of Indiana decisions.
Steamboat Dreams

New Albany promoted itself as the "real head of navigation on the Ohio-Mississippi system". But merchants never realized their steamboat dreams.
Taking The State From Below

In 1840, Indiana's population was so concentrated in the south that one-half of the settlers lived within seventy-five miles of the Ohio River.
A Centenary Celebration “In Keeping With The Dignity Of The State”

Two groups in particular saw a golden opportunity in Indiana's centennial celebration: conservationists and the good roads movement.
Marketing Ben-Hur

An epic tale by a Civil War general spawned a marketing frenzy that set a precedent for the commercial campaigns accompanying every blockbuster movie today.

A Moment of Indiana History is a production of WFIU Public Radio in partnership with the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations. Research support comes from Indiana Magazine of History published by the Indiana University Department of History.