History: Early Photographs

Things are busy in town at a Bauer Bros. Harness Booth on Booster Day. Bauer operated the Livery. An add reads they also sold "EMF 30 and Flanders 20 Automobiles -- Birdsell Wagons -- Up-to-date Buggies -- Hand-made Team and Buggy Harness, A very large stock of Horse Collars -- Automobile tires, tubes, grease, oils, soaps, polishes, battries, ammemeters, Tite-wads, enamels, spark plugs, etc. -- Immense Stock of fly nets.  The picture was taken on September 19, 1912
A Wakarusa newspaper headline reads, Booster Day -- Band Carnival -- September 19 -- From the Rise of the Glorious Sun, on the Above Day and Date, Until the Electric Lights Blink Out, You are Invited to Be Wakausa's Guests.  The day is set, the date is made for Booster Day and Band Carnival at Wakarusa, Thursday, September 19. It will be no tame affair either, but a day of innocent sports, and pleasing pastime for old and young alike.  Not an old-time carnival with its demoralizing influence, but good, clean contests and exhibitions calculated to amuse and entertain. . . .

Photo Credit: Postcard by Flower, courtesy of Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

The Home Coming Day parade. The date is unknown, but it maybe in the early 1900's.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

The log haulers were in a contest for prizes of sugar and flour. The sled with the most board feet was to receive the sugar. Since Keen Kutter tools were in evidence in all probability Leonard Hardware had something to do with prizes also. A. C. Clup with log scale in his hand. Wakarusa Tribune states it was on Saturday, January 8, 1910. It has nearly an identical picture on the front page.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

A real photograph of a Wakarusa parade float with several ladies on it during (most likely) the Independence Day parade.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Wakarusa's Doering's Store 1908 Parade Wagon pulled by a team of horses.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Independence Day Parade with float sponsored by Leonard [Hardware] Co.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

 The Leonard [Hardware] Co. parade 1910 float. The furnace is a Dowagiac make.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Ladies on a millinery float on heading east on Waterford Street.  They are riding past present day the Tax Man.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Independence Day Parade with automobiles taken around 1910-1914.  Guessed to be moving north on South Elkhart Street.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Independence Day parade on the 4th of July. Taken around 1907 facing the southeast block of Wakarusa.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

East side of Wabash Avenue broad walk. The house at the end on the street is rental property owned by Dr. A. S. Sensenich. Later it was owned by Walter Metzler. The photo was taken in 1900.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library. Donated by Goldie Walters.
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

The south side of Waterford Street with all the buildings currently standing in place.  The sign on the second building reads, "THE HOME OF ECONOMY - EVERYTHING TO EAT AND WEAR". The next building sign reads, "Restaunant & Bakery," and the next "Fair." Across the street the sign reads, "Barber Shop". This block, completed by 1907, holds from left Countryside Insurance, Jack V. Hess Jr., Creative Touch Photography, Wakarusa Dime Store, and the Tax Man.  The building across the street from the Tax Man is the building prior to present day Cook's Pizza (Weldy Block).

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Taken from the south side of East Waterford looking west.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Photo post card of Waterford Street facing east.  Taken around 1907.  Current buildings of note are at right the Tax Man, Wakarusa Dime Store.  At left is the prior building to where Key Bank now stands.

Photo Credit: Leland M. Haines
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

View of South Elkhart Street taken from the town square.  Photographed around 1907.  Present day buildings of note are the Tax Man on the left, the Wakarusa Hardware store (three buildings from the left), Yoder Brother's Mercantile, Brown and Brown.  Three buildings from right is Shear Adventure.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

View of the east side of Main St, looking north from the south end of the block, taken around 1930. Yoder Brothers Hardware is on the right.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Apparently taken in the early 1920's, the photo postcard is of Waterford Street looking west.  The building prominently featured off left is present day Cook's Pizza, farther left is the Tax Man, far right is Key Bank.

Photo Credit: Leland M. Haines
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

The views is looking North/northwest down Main St (now Elkhart St.). Looks like things are busy in town, so it is possibly a Saturday? The picture may have been taken before 1899.

The photograph appears to have been possibly taken from the roof of the house one the northeast corner of Harrison and South Elkhart Street.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

View of the west side of North Elkhart St, looking south, maybe taken before 1914. The sign in front of the first horse and buggy reads "AUTOMOBILES."  An electric streetlight hangs stretched between buildings.

Photo Credit: Postcard owned by Leland M. Haines
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

View of the west side of Elkhart Street, looking north. Taken before 1899.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Apparently there was a sale at the John J. Fink Store. At least the loaded buggy in front of the store indicates that some couple had need of a lot of the same item (paint??). Perhaps Fink is going to deliver it to the buyer. The scene sure puts a smile on some boys' faces.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

The D. V. Werntz building was built in 1900.  To the right is currently the Tax Man, next to it are the Wakarusa Dime Store Buildings.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Lushers Department Store was located on the west side of South Elkhart Street west, next to the Chicago Drug store.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

A buggy draws onlookers in front of the Chicago Drug Store. The store was located on the west side of South Elkhart Street.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Early street scene in Wakarusa.

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Looking down on a full street of buggies and people. Taken around 1900???

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

History: Early Photographs

Installing cement side walks in the 1890's on the southwest corner of the main square. The following was written on the back of the photo: "This would be a long guess- Joe Mitchell wearing the vest and standing next to the dray wagon. Nicholas Cripe is standing behind the wooden post. Joseph Eshelman far left next to the building. Others are unknown."

Photo Credit: Wakarusa Public Library
Internet Source: wakarusa.org
Webmaster: Leland M. Haines, Goshen, IN.

6th Annual Bluegrass Festival

The Wakarusa Bluegrass Festival will take place this weekend, June 11-13, 2010.  Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs.  Parking lot pickers are welcome.
Friday night will begin the festivities with an free Open Jam Session beginning at 6pm.
On Saturday the Stage Show begins at 10am and goes until 10pm.
Tickets to the all day event are $15.  Proceeds benefit Family Christian Development Center of Nappanee, Indiana.
Sunday morning there will be a morning gospel service at 10am followed by a carry in lunch.

On Stage Saturday Will Be:
Millard Edwards and the Virginia Crossties
Ricky Prater and the Midnight Travelers
Deadwood Bluegrass Band
Sandi Paul and Raisin' Corn
Hearstrings Bluegrass Band
Clyde Carr and the Hymntymers

The festival takes place at 66425 State Road 19, Wakarusa, Indiana.

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