Indiana National Road Association

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Cumberland, Indiana Post Office

The U.S. postal system originated on July 26, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress established a formal postal network and appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General.

Richard Fairbanks' Tavern in Boston is considered the first American post office, and while a tavern may seem an unusual setting, informal sites like inns, taverns, dry goods stores collected and distributed mail in pre-Revolution America.

As we celebrate our nation’s Semiquincentennial (250 years), of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, we should reflect on this importance of the post office, an American institution that has endured countless weather conditions, a Civil War, and continues to deliver mail to our homes each day!

When Cumberland, Indiana was founded in 1831, there were fewer than 200 post offices in the entire United States. Mail in Cumberland would be dropped off at a town grocery store, and no delivery was provided.

The pony express carried the mail to Indianapolis from Cincinnati, with a local Cumberland resident taking on the task of accepting mail from stagecoach drivers passing through.

In 1842, Charles Bonge, a local shopkeeper, became Cumberland’s first postmaster. His shop served as the town post office for many years, and the structure remains today at 11926 E. Washington Street (US 40 / National Road).

We encourage you to visit the town of Cumberland, Indiana and experience their wonderful tour "Along the National Road: Cumberland's Historic Story".
https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Town of Cumberland, Indiana, Joni Curtis, former town historian.

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road, Memorial Day & The Indianapolis 500

Memorial Day began as a way to honor soldiers who died in the Civil War. Originally known as Decoration Day, the nationwide day was May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. The name change from Decoration Day to Memorial Day occurred in 1967 to honor all soldiers, who gave their life in battle.

Decoration Day (Memorial Day), was chosen as the day for the inaugural "Indianapolis 500" held on May 30, 1911. There have now been 109 races since the inaugural event.

The track was closed during World War I (1917 & 1918). It was closed during WW II (1942-1945) for military purposes and automobile racing was banned to conserve rubber and fuel.

Since resuming in 1946, the race has been continuously held every year, now totaling 109 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races.

There are (3) notable linkages between the "Indianapolis 500" and the Historic National Road.

1) The 500 Festival Parade - For 70 years, this downtown parade had been occurring on the weekend of the Indy 500, and has grown into one of the largest parades in the United States. The crowds now exceeds 200,00 people lining the streets downtown.

The parade route begins at North Street and heads down Pennsylvania Street. The parade turns right on Washington Street (US 40 / National Road). After a short stretch of the National Road, the parade turns right again and heads up Meridian Street to the finish at North Street, for a total parade route of 1.5 miles.

2) Duesenberg Motors - Headquartered in Indianapolis on the National Road. Their cars dominated the Indianapolis 500 in the 1920's, winning the race in 1922, 1924, 1925, ad 1927. Founded in Indianapolis by brothers Fred and August Duesenberg, the brand became legendary for engineering innovations and the first American car to win the French Grand Prix (Le Mans) in 1921.

One of the Duesenburg company buildings still exists (Factory Building No 3) today and can be seen from the National Road (1501-1511 West Washington Street).

3) Cole Motor Car Company - Headquartered in Indianapolis on the National Road. Cole cars competed in various auto races including two cars in the inaugural 1911 Indianapolis 500. A Cole car was also used as the official pace car for the 1924 Indianapolis 500. This car was notable for being the first Indy 500 pace car equipped with balloon tires.

One of the The Cole company buildings still exists today and can be seen from the National Road (730 E. Washington Street), and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, Indianapolis 500 Festival., Indiana Historical Society (Bass Photo Collection), IndyStar.

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Cumberland Historic Tour – Miller Lunch

As the small towns grew along the National Road, this created the need for a variety of services for both residents and travelers. Miller Lunch in Cumberland, Indiana was one such establishment serving meals in a diner from 1941 to 1965.

This popular stop on the National Road, located at 11615 E. Washington Street, was run by Richard (Dick) and Orpha Miller. Patricia Miller, daughter of Dick and Orpha Miller recalls, “My parents owned Miller Lunch. My Mother was the cook. They were open from 6 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. It was mostly sandwiches and soups, and a lot of the local community people ate there every day.”

Built around 1890 as a residence, this Queen Anne-style building has a long history of serving meals to tired travelers along the National Road. The building’s first use as a stop for travelers was as Van Sickle’s Tavern, which managed to stay in business through Prohibition.

The public-facing section on the front of the building was added in the 1930’s, with the house tucked behind it dating to the turn of the century. Miller Lunch featured a classic 1950’s look and feel, with nostalgic signage and striped metal awning, which are still visible today.

Cumberland’s National Road history tour includes 16 sites and is available by visiting the town of Cumberland’s website, under “Along the National Road: Cumberland’s Historic Story”. All sites are on the National Road (Washington St / US 40).
https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Town of Cumberland, Curbside Classic (Richard)

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Cumberland Historic Tour – Olga's Beauty Shop

As the National Road carried more travelers, the need for services increased beyond lodging and filling stations. As the years passed, small shops and services were also established serving both travelers and local residents.

One such structure, built around 1900, was located on the National Road at 11819 E. Washington Street (US 40 / National Road).

This narrow gable-front structure is an excellent example of simple folk Victorian cottage that remains almost wholly intact, including original wood clapboard siding, decorative tracery, gable vent, wood windows and half-lite wood door.

This structure housed many small businesses over the years. Local residents recall craft stores, gift shop, baseball card shop and Redmeyer's Barber Shop.

Olga's Tatam's Beauty Shop held the location at 11819 E. Washington Street for over twenty years. Olga Tatam was a self-employed beautician for 46 years, retiring in 1986 (see obit in photos).

In the early 2000's, The Indiana Department of Transportation announced plans to widen East Washington Street (US 40 / National Road). This project would have taken out the first row of historic buildings on the north and south sides of the National Road, impacting the former Olga's Beauty Shop.

This led Indiana Landmarks to list Cumberland as one of its most endangered places. Residents fought this initiative and with the help of Indiana Landmarks and City of Indianapolis were able to get Cumberland listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and establish a Historic Conservation District to further protect the historic structures.

These efforts were led by the Cumberland GAP, which stands for "Cumberland Growth and Progress". GAP purchased the property that housed Olga's Beauty Shop and the Town of Cumberland now owns the property.

The building and property continues to serve the community as it has for over 120 years, and hosts the annual Weilnachtsmarkt, a popular a German-style Christmas market held at the property in December each year.

Cumberland’s National Road history tour includes 16 sites and is available by visiting the town of Cumberland’s website, under “Along the National Road: Cumberland’s Historic Story”. All sites are on the National Road (Washington St / US 40).

https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Cumberland Historic Tour – Franke Service Station

As the National Road carried more travelers the need for infrastructure becoming increasingly important.

• Early Era (1820’s – 1850’s) Toll houses and gates were frequent for road maintenance. Taverns and inns acted as major stops for stagecoaches and covered wagons.
• Auto Era (1910s – 1930’s) As the road was paved in brick and concrete, filling stations for fuel became prevalent. Motor Courts and Tourist Cabins also began appearing along the National Road for lodging.

As the shift in transportation reshaped towns across the country, filling stations and mechanic garages took the place of harness shops and blacksmith shops. The Town of Cumberland, Indiana highlights one of these former filling stations on their new National Road history tour launched April 1 of this year: “Along the National Road”.

Louis Franke owned, the former filling station is located at 11605 E. Washington Street (US / 40, National Road), which was built as DX Service Station. The station was later owned by Harold Redmeyer in the 1950’s who operated a Shell Service Station, and then by Oren & Ollie Hudson.

Main Street Muffler opened in this building in the 1970’s and is the current occupant. It is now an auto repair shop owned by Travis Hunt, who took over the business from his father who started the business.

As filling stations became more prominent and important after the unregulated shacks of the 1920’s, a shift toward “full service” began occurring. This included informed attendants who pumped gas, checked oil and cleaned windshields for customers.

Stations became instantly recognized and some remain as landmarks. Popular stations began highly uniformed designed to foster brand loyalty, these included Texaco, Shell, Gulf, Sinclair, Mobilgas, Standard Oil, Sunoco. Phillips 66.

Key design elements of the 1940’s included:
• Modern Architecture with some stations using revival style, e.g. Art Moderne, English Cottage, Colonial Revival and Tudor styles designed to fit residential neighborhoods.
• Canopies over pump islands protecting customers and attendants from the elements.
• Alerts that a customer has arrived from the rubber hose alert that sounded as you drove over the hose approaching the gas pump station. The alert provided a “Ding-Ding” sound.
• Full-Service Bays with one or two service bays for oil changes, tire repairs and minor mechanical work.
• Neon and large signage to bring attention to motorists passing by on major routes such as the National Road.
• Porcelain Enamel Panels to create modern, hygienic, and easy to clean surfaces. Usually white or brightly colored porcelain enameled steel panels providing a glow that would stand out at night under the lights.

Cumberland’s National Road history tour includes 16 sites and is available by visiting the town of Cumberland’s website, under “Along the National Road: Cumberland’s Historic Story”. All sites are on the National Road (Washington St / US 40).
https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Town of Cumberland, Rare Historical Photos, National Park Service (Preservation and Reuse of Historic Gas Stations, Chad Radl).

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Cumberland Historic Tour - Hilkene's Grocery

We continue highlighting stops along the new Cumberland, Indiana historic tour, launched April 1 of this year. This Friday we are featuring Hilkene’s Grocery. The Hilkene’s Grocery building still stands at 11802 E. Washington Street (US 40 / National Road).

Originally opened in 1884 by Joseph McConnell, who’s store provided travelers with necessities like flour and sugar. He lived just a short walk away from the store at the northeast corner of Wayburn and Washington.

Sadly, Joseph McConnell was killed while walking his dog along the National Road. The building then became Hilkene’s Grocery store, owned by JW Hilkene, who lived above the shop.

Important to note in the building's history, it once served as the Cumberland Post Office on the first floor and the telephone exchange on the second floor.

This building has experienced significant alterations, and also suffered a disastrous fire. Hidden behind a false storefront pediment, the building has a front gable roof. Aluminum siding now covers the original wood siding and many of the original window have been changed, but the foundational structure remains today.

Hilkene's Grocery Store is on Walking Tour Stop #1, and Driving Tour Stop #1

The complete listing of tour stops is available by visiting the town of Cumberland’s website, under “Along the National Road: Cumberland’s Historic Story”.
https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

Development of this historical tour was funded in part by the Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Town of Cumberland Archives.

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road - Dr. Showalter's House, Property & John Dillinger

Cumberland, Indiana is located just ten miles east of downtown Indianapolis. Cumberland sits within both Marion and Hancock County. The town was platted and founded on July 7, 1831, and named after Cumberland, Maryland, where the National Road begins. In the 1800's, Cumberland was the last stage coach stop before Indianapolis.

Dr. Russell Showalter's home is located in Cumberland, Indiana. He was a veterinarian who operated a small clinic at the back of property. The home is one of the tour stops on the new "Along the National Road" walking and driving tour, announced on April 1st, and developed by the Town of Cumberland. The home is located at 11623 E. Washington Street, and is Walking Tour Stop #8 and Driving Tour Stop #7.

The property has a connection to one of America's most infamous bank robbers: John Dillinger. His mother, Mary Ellen pLancaster, was born in Cumberland on June 12, 1870. She married John Wilson Dillinger in Irvington in 1887. Together they had two children, Audrey, (1889) and John H. Dillinger (1903), who would become the famous bank robber.

In 2019, local historian Bridgett Cook Jones, uncovered a mortgage deed dated 1878, showing property that was owned by Mary Ellen Lancaster's parents Francis and Adaline; specifically Lots 3 and 6, Block 3, in Cumberland. Sanborn fire maps were used to map these lot numbers to match the site of the Showalter House.

Many Indiana residents are familiar with John Dillinger being associated with Mooresville, Indiana but this research shows a connection with Dillinger and Cumberland, Indiana.

Joni Curtis, town historian recalls: "Older residents had told me that Dillinger was in this town. And I would argue because all I had ever heard of was Mooresville, Mooresville, Mooresville. And then my dad said, no, Dillinger used to come into the station".

The station her dad was referring to was "Williams Sinclair", a filling station and mechanic shop in town. His name was Clancy Williams, and nicknamed Buck.

We hope you enjoy this interesting connection to the National Road and visit Cumberland's "Along the National Road" tour described in detail by visiting the below link.

https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/business_detail_T25_R63.php

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Town of Cumberland (Christine Owens), Daily Reporter, 2019, Cumberland Reflections, Greenfield Daily Reporter, Historian Bridgette Cook Jones, Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Interurban Rides Again

Indiana’s Interurban system, boasted over 1,800 miles of track, and a central hub known as the Indianapolis Traction Terminal station, which was the largest interurban station in the nation at its peak.

The Indianapolis and Greenfield Rapid Transit Company began service from Greenfield on June 19, 1900. This interurban train would stop in Cumberland on its way to Indianapolis.

The town of Cumberland, Indiana celebrates their interurban stop on their new self-guided history tour “Along the National Road”, which highlights 16 historic places in town that are all along the National Road. The site of the Cumberland Interurban is located on Walking Stop #11, Driving Stop #4.

The interurban arrived in Cumberland in 1900.
• Tracks ran directly down the middle of the National Road, connecting our community to cities like Indianapolis, Greenfield, and eventually Richmond, Indiana. A speed of 50 mph was possible, but the average rate was 35 mph.
• Cumberland was known as Stop 17 on the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern (THI&E) line. German Church was stop 16, and this stop is what caused German Church Rd to be named after the church; however, at that time, German Church was not yet a part of Cumberland.
• The line ran nine trains a day, six for passengers and three for freight.
• W.A. Caylor served as the local station agent.
• The Interurban was an electric rail system that was groundbreaking in transportation technology. While it made travel much easier, it was not without its dangers. Horses were often frightened by the Interurbans' shrill whistle, and multiple accidents occurred in Cumberland.
• Because constructing and running interurbans was expensive when the automobile became popular, with declining ridership in the aftermath of the great depression, strikes, and bankruptcy, the interurban disappeared from Warren Township by 1940.

Today the interurban rides again!

• The IndyGo “Blue Line” will once again offer rapid transit from Cumberland to Indianapolis. The entire line will provide transit along the former interurban route of Washington Street (US 40 / National Road) to Indianapolis International Airport.
• The far-reaching transit-system is a re-engineering project that is known as “Bus Rapid Transit” (BRT).
• Blue Line transit riders start and end every trip as pedestrians. The Blue Line project includes sidewalk construction and improvement, upgraded curb ramps, new crosswalks and traffic and pedestrian signal.
• BRT Blue Line construction is currently underway on US 40 / National Road and in Cumberland they have begun clearing areas for the Cumberland pedistrian platform/station.
• When completed in 2028, the Blue Line will have 30 bus stations along the entire route.
• The 24-mile Blue Line rapid transit route will stretch from the Indianapolis International Airport to Cumberland, Indiana.

We encourage you to visit the current exhibit at the Indiana Historical Society: “The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans”, now thru August 1, 2026.

• https://indianahistory.org/events/the-electric-railway-indianas-interurbans/

We encourage you to visit the town of Cumberland and take the new historic tour: “Along the National Road: Cumberland’s Historic Story”.
https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: History of Warren Township, 1976 pg. 42, Cumberland Conservation District, Pg. 8-11, The Hancock County Democrat, 1930, The Indianapolis News, March 8, 1900, Indiana Historical Society, W.H. Bass Photo Collection, IndyGo, Town of Cumberland, Indiana, Mirror Indy, Hoosier State Chronicles, The Indiana Album (Ray Hinz Collection).

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Cumberland, Indiana's New Tour

This week on Wednesday, April 1, the town of Cumberland, Indiana announced the launch of their self-guided tour which highlights how the National Road has impacted the town’s heritage. All 16 sites are on the National Road (Washington Street / US 40).

The tour is available by visiting the Town of Cumberland’s website,
Along the National Road: Cumberland’s Historic Story”.
https://www.town.cumberland.in.us/about/history_walking_tour/index.php

There are two ways to experience the tour: on foot or by car.
• The walking tour guides you through Cumberland’s conservation district and provides a perfect stroll through the town’s most historic core.
• The driving tour offers all the walking tour stops plus several additional sites located just outside the town center.
• Pamphlets for the walking tour and driving tour are available to download and print. Or you may pick up a copy of the pamphlet at the Town Hall, during regular business hours.
• To help make the tour more enjoyable for kids and families, a special activity pack with National Road bingo game and coloring page is also available for download from the website.

The following sites are on the Walking Tour:
• Hilkene’s Grocery
• Cumberland Bank
• Cumberland Frist Baptist Church
• Historic Barn
• Post Office
• Meier’s Food Marker
• National Road
• Olga’s Beauty Shop
• Dr. Showalter’s House
• Miller Lunch
• Franke Service Station
• Interurban
• Hendrix Mortuaries
• Buckley’s

The following sites are on the Driving Tour:
• Log Cabin
• Caylor House

The tour was funded in part by the Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.

The Town of Cumberland was platted on land in July 1831. The town took its name from Cumberland’s Road’s point of origin for beginning of the eastern start of the National Road in Cumberland, Maryland. The Indiana portion of the National Road was built between 1829 and 1834.

We are thrilled with this new initiative and hope you find time to experience the tour soon. Over the next year we will be highlighting stops along the tour and share the rich history of this important town in the heritage of the National Road.

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Indiana Historical Society, Town of Cumberland, Indiana Website, interview with Victoria Musser, Community Development Project Coordinator, Town of Cumberland.

FRIDAY FROM THE ROAD…

The National Road & Huddleston Farmhouse

The Huddleston Farmstead is located at 838 W. National Road, Cambridge City, Indiana. This Greek Revival-style house, is one of the last surviving inns which provided overnight lodging to travelers along the Old National Road. The National Road, also known as "America's Main Street" was once the migratory road to the west.

Built in 1841 by Quaker John Huddleston, who with his wife Susannah, and 11 children, offered lodging, cooking supplies, and a place for their horses to rest for the night. Travelers slept in the rooms on the ground floor, and the Huddlestons lived in the upper two floors. The house has 14 rooms.

Huddleston family members sold the home in the 1930's, and it served a number of uses before Indiana Landmarks acquired the property on 18 acres in 1974.

Indiana Landmarks, during their ownership, used the property as their Eastern Regional Office. It also house the headquarters of the Indiana National Road Association and a National Road Interpretive Center. They invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a multi-year restoration of the house, barn, carriage shed, smokehouse, and springhouse.

The Huddleston house is now owned by preservationists organic farmers Tyler and Gentry Gough. The Gough's have restored a historic home in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Irvington, and are deeply involved in Indy Urban Acres, and eight-acre organic urban farm that supplies low-income families with healthy fruits and vegetables. Tyler is Indy Urban Acres' director, and Gentry is a farmer.

The Gough's plan to use the property as an educational site to teach historic methods of planting, cooking and preservation. Gentry Gough grew up in nearby Henry County, near Summit Lake State Park, and went to school with descendants of the Huddleston family.

Gentry Gough said: "Our goal is to provide a place of beauty, integrity, stability and knowledge of the to the community for generation to come. We'll provide fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, grains, heritage meat, syrup and more".

The Huddleston Farmhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

We welcome your comments, stories, experiences and memories!

As the Indiana National Road Association tagline reads: "MAKE HISTORY. DRIVE IT."

Credits: Library of Congress (Historic American Buildings Survey), Indiana Landmarks, Down the Road (Jim Grey).