Talking Hoosier History

Feb 04 2025 57 ep. 20 mins 41
Talking Hoosier History Podcast artwork

Talking Hoosier History is an Indiana History podcast produced by the Indiana Historical Bureau. Join us each month to explore the people, places, and events that shaped the Hoosier state. Credits, Notes, and more info: https://blog.history.in.gov/talking-hoosier-history/

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"Where Are My People to Go?:" Violence and Resilience in West Baden

Feb 04 2025 10 mins  
For many, French Lick Valley was an idyllic retreat and recreational wonderland. But for Black residents, the Valley was a hotbed of violence and intimidation in the early 1900s. Many had moved to the area from the South to work in the hospitality business. The local community responded to their presence with a series of threatening letters and bombings. While these efforts succeed

Moy Kee: The “Mayor” of Indianapolis’s Chinese Community

Jan 21 2025 12 mins  
On May 28, 1904, Chinese immigrants Moy Kee and Chin Fung hosted Chinese imperial royalty at their Indianapolis chop suey restaurant. Prince Pu Lun, the rumored heir to the Qing Dynasty’s imperial throne, was so impressed by the luncheon that he elevated Moy to Mandarin of the Fifth Rank, a prestigious Chinese social status. But how did Moy Kee, an immigrant from the Guangdong Pr

"The Most Righteous War:" The Leadership and Sacrifice of Lt. Col. William Swaim

Dec 20 2024 19 mins  
Why would an average Hoosier leave his family and friends, his hometown and farm, not to mention comfort and safety, to answer President Lincoln’s call for troops in 1861? What would inspire a citizen soldier to risk making the ultimate sacrifice? The battlefield letters of Ossian (Wells County, Indiana) farmer-turned-Lieutenant-Colonel William Swaim to his beloved wife

Fred Rohrer and the Temperance War in Berne, Indiana

Dec 11 2024 17 mins  
In September of 1903, Fred Rohrer and his family awoke to the sound of explosions in their living room, as an unknown figured attempted to kill them by dynamiting the residence. Instantly, Rohrer knew that his leadership role within Berne, Indiana’s Temperance campaign was the assailant’s motive.. With the use of the Berne Witness, Rohrer helped solidify Indiana’s role in the

Gloria Frankel & The Seahorse: The South Bend LGBT Club’s Fight for Gay Rights

Nov 18 2024 9 mins  
In 2015, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend announced in a South Bend Tribune op-ed that he was gay, making him Indiana’s first openly gay mayor. Four decades before Buttigieg’s announcement, the city reportedly outlawed same-sex dancing. In 1974, Gloria Frankel and her gay club, The Seahorse Cabaret, withstood police harassment, challenged regulations against LGBT indi

The "Buzz Wagon:" Studebaker's Electric Cars

Nov 01 2024 12 mins  
As we pass the elusive Telsa Cybertruck, we’re reminded of Studebaker’s innovative electric cars produced in the early 20th century. The South Bend manufacturer’s electric cars became a mainstay of the company, providing vehicles for personal use as well as transport. They were also marketed in a unique way. Studebaker focused on city businessmen, and especially society

Raiderettes: The Womanpower Behind the P-47 Thunderbolt

Oct 15 2024 9 mins  
The P-47 Thunderbolt is considered one of the most important fighter-bombers used by Allied Forces in World War II. Thunderbolts flew over half a million missions and are renowned by pilots for their durability and reliability. Over one-third of all Thunderbolts were built at the Republic Aviation plant in Evansville. Notably, nearly half of the plant’s employees were women. Kn

Hoosier Radical: Theodore Luesse Takes On the Great Depression

Dec 15 2023 17 mins  
In this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we’ll meet radical organizer Theodore Luesse, who agitated for relief measures during the Great Depressions. His actions culminated in a sentence at the notorious State Penal Farm in Putnamville, where he ran for governor on the Communist ticket. Luesse’s sentence increased Hoosiers’ interest in communist ideals and ignited a series

Horseshoe Punch: The Meteoric Rise of Boxer Ray Bronson

Dec 01 2023 8 mins  
In this short episode of Talking Hoosier History, we’ll learn about Hoosier fighter Ray Bronson, who rocked the boxing world during the early 20th century. A horseshoe fitter-turned-welterweight champion, Bronson's considerable wins, international bouts, and successful management of other boxers put him a cut above most fighters. Written and performed by Justin Clark. Produced

“Justice and the Square Deal:" The Political Alliance of Mother Jones and John W. Kern

Nov 15 2023 9 mins  
In this short episode of Talking Hoosier History, we’ll learn about labor organizer Mary "Mother" Jones's political partnership with John W. Kern, the U.S. Senator from Indiana, and how their alliance represented a real shift in attitudes regarding organized labor during the Progressive Era. Written and Performed by Justin Clark. Produced by Jill Weiss Simins. A transcript of t