President’s Letter

 Dear Friends,

As 1999 came to a close, there were many things that we at FGHD could look back on with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The Block Party last July was a tremendous success, bringing out more than 100 people. Our Holiday Walk was also well attended, and I would like to thank all of those who opened their homes to us for this festive occasion. Both of these events were a lot of fun, and did much to contribute to our sense of community here in the Grove.

On the practical side, we pulled together to help maintain the residential character of our neighborhood, by attending council meetings, and influencing zoning decisions. We worked together to renovate an old house on 4^th Street, turning it from an eyesore into a comfortable, welcoming home that we can all be proud of.

It was a busy year, and we have a lot to show for our efforts. But, there is so much more we could do! We have a neighborhood and a quality of life here that we all cherish and appreciate, but as with anything worth having, it will take some effort to keep it that way. In the coming years we will face further challenges to the residential quality of our neighborhood, and to its maintenance and upkeep. We need to work together to ensure that Farrington's Grove retains its character, charm and appeal well into the coming century.

We at FGHD have a very loyal and hard-working board, but we need your participation, too. We need to know what Farrington's Grove means to you. We need to know what is important to you in your neighborhood. We need your suggestions on how we can preserve those aspects of the community that you value, and how we might improve in other areas. Most of all, we need YOU - your time, your ideas, your energy, and your support.

In the coming months, we will be looking for ways to involve more of you in our efforts. We need to establish better channels of communication, so that we can know what you want from FGHD, and you can know what we're up to and what you can do to help. And this is a good place to start getting your participation.

We all have busy lives, and it's easy to lose sight of what's really important in the midst of the daily grind. Our quality of life in Terre Haute, and in FGHD, is one of those important things that we all need to appreciate and work to protect. Please join us in the days ahead, and help us maintain our neighborhood and our way of life. It means so much to all of us!

Please fill out the pre-postage stamped postcard with a questionnaire that would greatly help up to get an idea of what you would like us, FGHD, Inc., to concern ourselves with in the next coming months. We hope you will also let us know of your interest in helping in any way, whether on the board or just as a concerned neighbor.

By Michael Misovich

 Internet-savvy FGHD members now have a new source of information -- the FGHD website located at:

 http://home.earthlink.net/~ammisov/fghd.htm

 Just point your browser there to find information about your neighborhood, FGHD activities, photos and more. We welcome your input and suggestions for improvements and additions to the website in the future. Just click on "Contact FGHD" at the bottom of the web page, email to fghd812@aol.com, or contact one of the board members

We are pleased to announce that Mayor Judy Anderson will be our special quest speaker at the nest general membership meeting of FGHD. She will be addressing questions and concerns dealing with Farrington's Grove. We have provided Mayor Anderson with a list of concerns/questions the Board feels are critical to our neighborhood. We also will be providing a box for you to place your concerns/questions in, so as time allows, we will be drawing from this box for the Mayor to address.

In order to reduce the possibility of repeat questions, the following is the list provided to Mayor Anderson.

1. Trash in the Alleys and also trash and cars in yards of houses and apartment buildings in the grove.
2. How to go about getting sidewalks repaired/replaced, who is responsible.
3. What are your thoughts on historic preservation, would you be interested in helping with the starting of an ordinance protecting the historic integrity of Terre Haute and Farrington's Grove. Terre Haute is the only major city in Indiana that does not have one. How does this get approached?
4. What can be done about the condemned houses in the grove?
5. What can be done about the parking situation in the grove, parking up and over the tree rows, parking to and past the corners and intersections blocking sidewalks, parking in front of fire hydrants and parking the wrong way?

What can be done about violations dealing with ordinance obligations, re the Auto House? Not replacing dead trees, parking their flatbed trailer on 4^th Street and parking vehicles within 15 feet of the northwest corner of that lot making it dangerous when trying to enter 3^rd Street off of College Avenue.

Women especially looked forward to the new arrivals of hats in the shop windows. They saved their pennies with excitement at the expectation of buying the hat that seemed to have been made just for them. For men, hats were their trademarks. A trip to the Haberdashery Shoppe was an important trip indeed. Quality, size, and a lady’s approval were important.

I remember some of my mother’s hats with great affection. It was always a treat when she would allow me to take a few of them out of their big round hatboxes. I would try them on and occasionally be allowed to play dress-up. One in particular stands out in my memory. It was one she bought for Easter. Remember those incredible Easter Parades? Everyone would show-off their new spring outfit and new Easter hat for everyone to see at the downtown Easter Parade. My mother’s hat was a shocking pink with lots of netting and roses of various shades. She had matching gloves and purse. I felt very grown-up whenever I put it atop my small head, even though I constantly had to push it up above my eyes.

Then there was my father’s fedora, that was never to be touched. It always sat on the table to the right of the front door with the crease just perfect and the brim exactly the way he liked it. There would be big trouble if anyone so much as disturbed the resting place of Dad’s hat. It was, however, an unconscious comfort to see it there.

Old Time Recipe for This Issue

from "For the Bride" published in 1922

3 large apples 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. bread crumbs 2/3 tsp. cinnamon

Peel and core the apples and cut into slices. Put a layer of these into a baking-dish; then sprinkle over a layer of the bread crumbs, sugar and cinnamon mixed together, continuing with more apples, then more of the bread crumb mixture, making the top layer of crumbs. Dot with butter, bake in moderate oven at 350 degrees, covered, for one-half hour; then remove the cover and bake ten minutes more, so as to allow the top to brown. Serve hot with cream, custard, marshmallow cream, or desired sauce.

 What is a Victorian house? People often use the term loosely to describe any house -- especially a large one -- that looks old. Before moving to Terre Haute from Pennsylvania, I owned a circa 1904 American Foursquare described as a "Victorian, built in 1920" by the realty agency. My neighbors lived in a nearly identical house, built in 1885 according to county tax records!

I am relatively certain that houses built in 1920 were not Victorians, and that Foursquares were not built in 1885. I would like to say that Foursquares are not Victorians -- except that Victorian can be defined as "occurring during the reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901." This inclusive definition might include a few early Foursquares and every Italianate and Greek Revival home in Farrington's Grove!

Some authors agree. In "How Old Is This House," Hugh Howard dates Victorian houses to the time period 1830-1900 and includes Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Octagon, Second Empire, Stick Style, Queen Anne, and Shingle Style. The "Painted Ladies" series of books on San Francisco's Victorians includes Italianate and Colonial Revival houses.

Beginning with this article, I will focus on Stick, Queen Anne, Shingle, Romanesque, Free Classic, Carpenter-Builder, and similar house styles that dominated construction in Farrington's Grove from 1880 to 1900. It is difficult to describe a typical Victorian house because the term encompasses so many styles. Frequently, elements of several styles are combined. One of my first mentors regarding old houses was Wendell Nelson, author of "Houses That Grew." He uses the term "Victorian Eclectic" to describe the majority of Victorian houses since they combine various style details.

All Victorians are NOT large houses -- Farrington's Grove has a wonderful collection of one or one-and-a half story Victorian cottages. These homes predominate on some blocks, such as the 900 block of South Fourth Street, and the 1300 and 1400 blocks of South Center Street. Most are simpler in form than their larger neighbors, but many retain characteristic Victorian trim and details, and some have been nicely restored. Participants in last December's Holiday House Tour had the enjoyment of visiting a fine example at 1302 South Center Street. The home at 1122 South Center Street could be described as a Shingle style cottage. Springtime is almost upon us -- what a great time to go for a walk and appreciate the neighborhood around you!

The year is 2000. As I take a walk down the streets of Farrington’s Grove, I pass neglected homes, neglected yards and stumps of TREES planted long ago. Quite a different picture than what once was Farrington’s Grove. We need to bring back the pride in our neighborhood. Let’s make the year 2000, the year we start a renewal of beautification in our community.

On one account, TREES Inc. would like to help! They are a local urban forestry and environmental group that would like to help local homeowners adopt trees. For a $25 adoption fee, you can receive a superior quality hardwood tree. All they ask is that you care for it with water and mulch for a period of three years. You can receive an application by calling Purdue Cooperative Extension Service at 462-3371 or contact TREES Inc. at 232-0360 and request information about the Adopt-a Street-Tree program. There are a variety of trees available to choose from. The volunteers will be planting the trees on March 25th. Take advantage of this great opportunity and call today.

The year is 2030. As I take a walk down the streets of Farrington’s Grove, I pass beautiful old homes and yards with lovely gardens. The streets are lined with wonderful tall and healthy TREES. I look up through their branches and listen to the sound of their swaying leaves as they cool my every step. What a lovely and quaint neighborhood Farrington’s Grove is. I’m glad I live here!

Vigo County Historical Society Happenings

By Barbara Carney

 We invite grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and all doll fanciers to join us on April 15^th for a day in Chicago at the American Girl Place. We'll have lunch at the American Girl Café, see the revue, and still have time for shopping or browsing in Water Tower. Turner Coach will take us there. For information or reservations, call the Museum at 235-9717.

2000 FARRINGTON’S GROVE HISTORICAL DISTRICT BOARD

YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS

A Farrington’s Grove resident need not be a Board Member to Chair or to help on a committee. More participation and commitment is always welcome and appreciated. To get involved on a committee, please call any Board member or Committee Chairperson. People make a community work.