A Tantalizing Glimpse...

Sometimes we get very close to something we would really like to see. In an old scrapbook from the Tuttle Parent-Teacher Association 1945-1953, a photo was originally pasted inside the front cover and then later partially torn out before the scrapbook came to us. On closer examination, this photo is evidently a clear view of the original Tuttle building (which opened in 1906 at a cost of $20,000). This building was used until 1960 when it was demolished and replaced by the current Joseph F. Tuttle Middle School on the same spot. The photo was taken from the west side of the building, from South Elm Street. It is too bad that this photo is now incomplete because we have so few good photos of the "old" Tuttle building even though it was a local landmark over half a century!

Green Street in 1909

The library recently received this scan of a photograph of the 100 block of South Green Street, which was taken during the Grand Army of the Republic encampment held in Crawfordsville in May of 1909. On the far left stands the Elston Bank building. The Clipper Saloon, with the C covered by a banner, was owned by Albert Muhleisen. A cigar store Indian is visible in the storefront to the left of the saloon. Several temporary vendors' stands are also visible, hoping to capitalize on the visitors. If you look closely, you can see a "Hamberger" stand in the street in front of the bank (this bank building is occupied today by the restaurant "Grandma's Kitchen").

The library would like to thank Jane Lyle for sharing this historic image.