The Short and Curious Career of the Steamboat “Stella”

Apr 21, 2025 | Crossroads Discovery Center, Highlights in History, Library News, New & Exciting

By David Heighway, Hamilton County Historian There have been various tour boats in Hamilton County over the years. Probably the one most remembered by people is the Waterfront Queen/Star of Cicero which was on Morse Reservoir between 1994 and 2008. There was also the...

Summer Sneak Peek from the Crossroads Discovery Center

Apr 11, 2025 | Crossroads Discovery Center, Library News, New & Exciting

By Jessica Layman, Genealogy and Local History Librarian When people come to the Crossroads Discovery Center (CRDC), they may have different levels of experience with genealogy. Sometimes, people have been doing family history research for decades. Sometimes, they...

“He Would Be Damned If He Would Go Back on the Woman”: Dr. Joyce Hobson, Dr. W. H. Cyrus, and the Hamilton County Medical Society

Mar 14, 2025 | Crossroads Discovery Center, Highlights in History

Joyce Hobson (1851-1939) was the first known woman doctor in Hamilton County. She was born Joyce Fredrica Richards in Tipton County, and her family had moved to Adams Township by 1870. Her first career was as a teacher in the Boxley School in 1875. She married William...

Donald Graham: Noblesville Architect

Feb 25, 2025 | Crossroads Discovery Center, Highlights in History

By David Heighway, Hamilton County Historian Donald Graham is mostly forgotten now, but in his day, he was one of the state’s more notable architects. He designed libraries, theaters, and other buildings around Indiana. Locally, he should be remembered for having...

A Century Later: Reflections on the Trial of D.C. Stephenson, Klansman

Feb 17, 2025 | Crossroads Discovery Center, Staff Picks For Adults

By Jessica L., Local History and Genealogy Librarian March 2025 will mark one hundred years since Madge Oberholtzer, a woman from Irvington in Indianapolis, was attacked and killed by D. C. Stephenson. Stephenson was the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana...

Winter Fun in Noblesville: Skating on Scott’s Pond

Dec 2, 2024 | Crossroads Discovery Center, Highlights in History

By David Heighway, Hamilton County Historian The City of Noblesville has now installed the ice rink at Federal Hill Commons, and people are preparing to do some skating. To those interested in history, this brings up the question of where people would have gone in the...