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History: Stringtown, Indiana, 1976

A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University Bloomington

Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002

Overview of the Collection

Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu

Creator
Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory

Title
History: Stringtown, Indiana, 1976

Project No.
ohrc059

Interviews
16 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral materials.

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Language
Materials are in English

Abstract
This collection of interviews reflects on the Indianapolis, Indiana neighborhood, Stringtown. While a wide variety of ages is represented, most of the interviewees are older individuals. Pervasive throughout is the idea that Stringtown is a relatively stable, distinct neighborhood with well-defined boundaries. Some of the major topics include the increase of crime and vandalism, the increased delinquency of the children due, in part, to parental neglect, the decline of the community in terms of housing and business, and the lack of education and ambition among many of the residents. Also discussed is the closing of School 16, the familial ties within the community, and the role of church and politics in the neighborhood.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains sixteen interviews conducted over the course of one year. The interviews range from 30 to 170 minutes. All interviews consist of audio reels and most have typed transcripts and collateral materials.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].

Interview List

Interviewee
Baunoch, Joseph March 23, 1976 

Call Number
76-029

Physical Description

12 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 30 minutes

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Joseph Baunoch speaks about the history of Stringtown, community relations, and violence in the community.

  • Keywords
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community violence
    • local history
Interviewee
Brown, Sharlotte; Kranig, Evalyn; Kranig, Jack; Kranig, Tom March 21, 1976 

Call Number
76-020

Physical Description

29 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 70 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Sharlotte Brown, Evalyn Kranig, born 1927, Jack Kranig, born 1926, and Tom Kranig, born 1954, speak about living in the neighborhood of Stringtown. They describe some of the differences that make their neighborhood unique, such as home ownership and the willingness of residents to help each other. They discuss the lack of government funding and policing of crime. They express their belief that the neighborhood rarely sees government involvement unless it stems from something negative such as Systematic Code Enforcement.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Salvation Army
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • community development
    • drugs
    • employment opportunities
    • government funding
    • housing
    • local crime
    • recreational activities
    • religion
    • Systematic Code Enforcement
Interviewee
Collins, Danny B.; Samples, Don E. March 23, 1976 

Call Number
76-027

Physical Description

22 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 55 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Danny Collins and Don Samples grew up in Stringtown, Indiana. They describe the activities of the younger community members, which includes such things as busting windows, stealing, and fighting. They say this has always been done, but has changed lately with the increase of scared people calling the police. They believe these activities, and the fact the community members are all related, help keep the community together.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • The Shack
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • glue sniffing
    • local crime
    • recreational activities
    • theft
Interviewee
Dix, Charles H. March 20, 1976 

Call Number
76-019

Physical Description

26 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 60 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Charles Dix, born 1925, grew up in Stringtown, Indiana. He speaks about how the community has changed, particularly in regard to transients, the decline of homes, crime, and the parental neglect of children.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Salvation Army
    • Westside Christian Church
    • Personal Names
    • Lugar, Richard G.
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • child neglect
    • community education
    • condemned homes
    • drugs
    • government funding
    • local crime
    • police presence
    • religion
    • transient population
Interviewee
Eckart, Kelso March 22, 1976 

Call Number
76-034

Physical Description

11 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 30 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Kelso Eckart has been a pastor at the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Stringtown, Indiana since 1961. He speaks about the decline of the community, particularly the lack of new housing, then discusses the lack of recreational activities that lead to the children of the community turning to crime for something to do.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Salvation Army
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • government funding
    • juvenile delinquency
    • local crime
    • recreational activities
    • religion
Interviewee
Grubbs, Stephen March 22, 1976 

Call Number
76-023

Physical Description

30 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 75 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Stephen Grubbs, born 1945, works as a city planner in Indianapolis, Indiana. He outlines the boundaries of the Stringtown neighborhood, and describes the area as unique, because it is still a socially stable population. The housing is deteriorating, but otherwise he sees the neighborhood as strong. He also discusses concerns that IUPUI or IU Medical Center plan on developing the area. He says it is possible, but highly unlikely in the foreseeable future due to the repressed economy and the long-term plans of the university.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Health and Hospital Corporation
    • IUPUI
    • Salvation Army
    • Occupation Names
    • city planner
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • White River, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • housing deterioration
    • Indianapolis city development
    • neighborhood boundaries
    • social welfare
Interviewee
Hurst, Alice; McKinney, Lena March 24, 1976 

Call Number
76-024

Physical Description

19 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 45 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard; Figgen, Kathy

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Alice Hurst, born 1893, and Lena McKinney, born 1902 and died 1992, speak about their life in Stringtown, Indiana. They believe the town is aesthetically more improved than when they moved in during the early twentieth century. They also describe the increased crime, and tend to associate that with the rise of child neglect from both parents working and a lack of neighborhood activities. They also talk about the neighborhood's closeness during hard times.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Boys Club of America
    • Indianapolis Public Schools, School 16
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • child neglect
    • local crime
    • neighborhood stability
    • religion
Interviewee
Korn, Cleora N. March 22, 1976 

Call Number
76-035

Physical Description

15 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 35 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Cleora Korn, born 1898, moved to Stringtown in 1919. She raised her children in the neighborhood, and worked for the Republican wards from 1940 until 1966. She speaks about the increase of crime and gangs, and the religious indifference of the youths.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Republican Party
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • juvenile delinquency
    • local crime
    • politics
    • religious attitudes
Interviewee
Lewis, Nannie; Willoughby, Mary March 24, 1976 

Call Number
76-025

Physical Description

16 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 40 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Nannie Lewis, born 1894, and Mary Willoughby, born 1913, talk about the changes in the neighborhood from the early nineteen fifties. They describe the last five to six years as especially bad. The biggest change they speak about is increased crime in the community, which they relate to the lack of child discipline. They also discuss the decrease in helping and friendliness of neighbors in need.

  • Keywords
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • child discipline
    • juvenile delinquency
    • local crime
    • neighborhood changes
    • theft
    • transient population
Interviewee
Malott, Anne J. March 24, 1976 

Call Number
76-030

Physical Description

43 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 100 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Anne Malott was a teacher at School 16 in Stringtown, Indiana until its closing. She speaks about the community in terms of stability, racial tension, and the community as a family. She also discusses the importance of the school and the effects on the community when it was closed.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Boy's Club
    • Indianapolis Public Schools, School 16
    • Salvation Army
    • The Shack
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • child discipline
    • drugs
    • neighborhood stability
    • racism
    • school activities
    • school closing
    • welfare
Interviewee
Morgan, Flossie March 20, 1976 

Call Number
76-031

Physical Description

29 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 70 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Flossie Morgan, born 1908, has lived in Stringtown all her life. She speaks about past events, such as the 1913 Flood, and describes some of the changes that have taken place since then. She relates how friendly and helpful the neighborhood is by describing the vast amounts of food they gave her upon her husband's death, and the eagerness of the kids to help her carry groceries. Despite their helpfulness, she feels children are neglected and are not supervised properly as they used to be.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Boy's Club
    • Indianapolis Public Schools, School 16
    • The Shack
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • 1913 Flood
    • child neglect
    • local business decline
    • neighborhood changes
    • neighborhood rivalries
    • recreational activities
Interviewee
Phelps, Richard March 26, 1976 

Call Number
76-021

Physical Description

16 pages; 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 40 minutes; no index; copy of "Stringtown: The Histories of an Urban Community."

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Richard Phelps, born 1954, was interviewer for the Stringtown Project. He speaks about how he decided to research Stringtown, and describes the neighborhood's boundaries, social background, and history. Then he briefly discusses each interview, describing the interviewee and commenting on their candidness in divulging information.

  • Keywords
    • Personal Names
    • Baunach, Joseph
    • Brown, Sharlotte
    • Collins, Danny B.
    • Dix, Charles
    • Eckart, Kelso
    • Grubbs, Steve
    • Hurst, Alice
    • Korn, Cleora
    • Kranig, Evalyn
    • Kranig, Jack
    • Kranig, Tom
    • McKinney, Lena
    • Morgan, Flossie
    • Pickett, Scott
    • Samples, Barney
    • Samples, Donnie
    • Tapp, Barbara
    • Tapp, Geraldine
    • Tapp, Michael
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
Interviewee
Pickett, Mary; Pickett, Scott March 21, 1976 

Call Number
76-026

Physical Description

72 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 170 minutes; no index

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Mary, born 1920 and died 1993, and Scott Pickett, born 1916 and died 1982, lived in Stringtown most of their lives. They compare the community with the way it was when they first moved in. They speak about crime, including thefts and drug use, as well as reduced police enforcement. They also discuss the changes in child care and the neglect World War II created by forcing wives to work. They speak about the neighborhood school and their belief that the racial integration was the main reason it closed.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Indiana University
    • Indianapolis Public Schools, School 16
    • Salvation Army
    • The Shack
    • Westside Christian Church
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • local crime
    • recreational activities
    • drugs
    • glue sniffing
    • child care
    • child neglect
    • World War II
    • welfare
    • transient population
    • home remodeling
    • school integration
    • politics
    • police presence
    • gangs
Interviewee
Samples, Barney D. March 23, 1976 

Call Number
76-028

Physical Description

23 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 50 minutes; no index

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Barney Samples, born 1899 and died 1982, lived in Stringtown since the nineteen thirties when he bought several homes in the area. He describes the coal mine and stables that were present when he moved in, and how they were torn down to build more houses. He also speaks about the lack of education in the children, and the trouble they get into, such as glue sniffing and stealing. Despite the roughness of the area, he loves Stringtown and feels it is no worse than any other neighborhood.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • The Shack
    • Family Names
    • Collins
    • Milan
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • drugs
    • education
    • juvenile delinquency
    • local business decline
    • local crime
    • peer pressure
    • recreational activities
Interviewee
Tapp, Barbara; Tapp, Michael March 21, 1976 

Call Number
76-022

Physical Description

37 pages; 2 tapes, 3 3/4 ips, 90 minutes; photograph of interviewees; no index

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Barbara, born 1952, and Michael Tapp, born 1953, have lived most of their lives in Stringtown, Indiana. They briefly moved out when they were married, but returned to buy a home. They profess their dislike of the neighborhood and desire to leave again, because of the problems in the community. They speak about a lack of ambition in the residents, disrespect for property, and the frequent crimes that go unpunished, such as home break-ins, and hit and run accidents. They discuss the decline in the neighborhood from their youth, and believe the neighborhood will eventually disappear.

  • Keywords
    • Corporation Names
    • Ben Davis High School
    • The Shack
    • Occupation Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Kentucky
    • Stringtown, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • local crime
    • peer pressure
    • rental properties
    • vandalism
    • welfare
Interviewee
Tapp, Geraldine March 22-24, 1976 

Call Number
76-018

Physical Description

46 pages, 1 tape, 3 3/4 ips, 55 minutes

Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room 314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.

Interviewer
Phelps, Richard

Access Status

Open

Scope and Content Note

Geraldine Tapp, born 1925, discusses the history of Stringtown, the problems with youths, and the binding force of the community.

  • Keywords
    • Place Names
    • Indianapolis, Indiana
    • Subjects
    • juvenile delinquency
    • local history
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