Too close for comfort!

OK, I admit it. This photograph and accompanying information made me laugh out loud! This 1958 Ford Mercury station wagon was photographed outside Jack Thrasher Ford, once located on east Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute, Indiana. Yes, as someone wrote in blue ink pen at the top of the photo, two people were welded inside!

According to the description, “There were bars welded over the windows after two married people got inside the vehicle. They were supposed to live in the car for an extended period of time but the promotion didn’t last as long as planned because they got on each others’ nerves too much.” I love it!

This photo is part of the Vigo County Historical Society collection.

Who doesn’t love a marching band?

The Indiana State University Archives houses some fun photographs of the university’s marching bands throughout the years. In this circa 1942 photo, members of the marching band line up in preparation for a homecoming parade.

Like the U.S. Postal Service, a little rain doesn’t keep a marching band from participating in a parade! In this 1962 image parade watchers hold umbrellas and support the women and men musicians as they march down Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute, Indiana.

And doesn’t this percussion group look smart in their uniforms? This photo was taken in 1964.

All three images are from the Martin’s Photo Shop collection that is housed in the university’s archives. For more marching band images, click here.

Making a joyful noise

Take a close look at this circa 1905 photograph of the Allen Chapel AME Choir in Terre Haute, Indiana. Look at the faces of these women and men. What were their hopes and dreams? What were their concerns? How important was their faith? Why was singing so important to them?

Take another look at this photograph. Notice the wrinkles. They seem to add depth and texture to the image. Thank goodness, however, that the photo was digitized!

This photo is part of the private collection of Mark Shepard of Houston, Texas. Mark’s collection of photographs celebrates the heritage and community of African Americans in the Terre Haute area.

To view this image more closely, click here.

African American heritage in Terre Haute

Mark Shepard of Houston, Texas, has generously shared part of his collection of images celebrating the African American community in Terre Haute with Wabash Valley Visions & Voices. The photograph at left is one such image.

The Jones Pharmacy was the only African American owned and operated pharmacy in Terre Haute. It was founded by Dr. Winton D. Jones Sr., a graduate of the Butler University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Jones opened his drug store on the corner of 13th Street and College Avenue in 1925. In 1942, he built the pictured pharmacy at 1024 South 14th Street. Dr. Jones remained at this location until 1977.

To view other images from the Mark Shepard collection, click here.