Boone County Historian Joe Bierce writes about the little-known stories from Boone County’s rich history. It’s a fascinating look back at the people and events that shaped the Boone County of today. Check this page often — you won’t want to miss a single post!
Joe would like to hear from you. Email your comments, questions or suggestions about Boone County history to him at Joe8432@gmail.com
Changes In Farming Power
I continue to be amazed how farming in Boone County Indiana can have so many twists and turns. Maybe it is because the water standing in so many places left areas where it was easier [...]
Why It Takes So Long To Get Out Of The Swamp
With all of the land in Boone county appearing to be table flat , one would expect it to be high and dry. The Surveyors of 1830 found it to be otherwise. Approximately 1/2 of [...]
Don’t Fence Me In
“We raised horses, hogs and sheep. We raised some wheat which we trampled out with the horses on the ground floor. We raised buckwheat and frailed (sic)(probably meant flailed) it out in a rail pen. [...]
Beginning To Farm
With some ditches dug and the water beginning to recede a bit, more ground gets planted. But we are not out of the woods—ahem-- water yet. The higher elevation, of course, drains first and the [...]
I’ll Sell You Some Boone County Swamp Land – Joe Bierce
I left you in the swamp. What are you going to do? This land, newly acquired by the Federal government, must be parceled out if it going to be of use. And that job must [...]
Bierce Returns: Draining The Swamp
The last time we met I left you in the swamp. I felt that a bit unkind, so I thought it just that I come back to help you out. We can't describe our condition [...]
Bierce Gets Bogged Down In The Swamp
When I started this project I had only one thing in my mind. Start when settlers came and end with the present day farming. I had no idea that I would get bogged down in [...]
Boone County Pioneers Remembered
“The first pioneers in 1822 - 1824 found unbroken wilderness, no roads, no mills, deep-tangled brush and vines, and a good portion of the land covered with water. The water flows in almost every direction [...]
For 63 Years Warmer Temperatures Mean I Scream, You Scream – For Ice Cream From A Boone County Favorite
When the sun is shining on a hot summer day, few things can hit the spot like ice cream. While Lebanon is fortunate to have a number of options, you might be surprised to learn [...]
A Grateful Joe Bierce Discusses Farmers
I am about to take a journey and I am inviting you to go with me. At the outset may I state that I am not a farmer, have never been a farmer and do [...]
Squiqqly Lines Garner Interest From Readers; Lead Back To Boone County History
Once upon a time – such is the story of history— Boone County was crisscrossed by steel rails to provide support for the steel wheels that rolled over them. They were there to supplant the [...]
Acton Reflects On Over 90 Years And His Service To A Grateful Nation
Ninety plus year old, Robert C. Acton, “Acting Mayor Dover, Indiana”, population 6 people and two cats, or so I was told, joined the U.S. Navy when he was 22. “I was just a farm [...]