Delphi Preservation Society

08/26/2026

🚋 Charles L. Henry — “Father of the Interurban”

Indiana lawyer, state senator, U.S. Congressman, and railroad promoter Charles L. Henry is widely credited with popularizing the word “interurban.” His Union Traction Company began electric railway operations in Indiana in the late 1890s, helping launch the interurban era.

But there’s a fascinating twist: the claim that Henry actually coined the word “interurban” may be an interurban legend. Historian Carlos Schwantes explores the question in Electric Indiana: The Rise and Fall of the World’s Greatest Interurban Railway Center.

📍 Look at the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction Company route map pictured here and you can see just how Delphi was part of this remarkable story. Our 1907 Interurban Station is a surviving piece of it—and we need your help to save it. 🚋

https://www.delphipreservationsociety.org/interurbandonation

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

https://shop.indianahistory.org/products/electric-indiana-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-worlds-greatest-interurban-railway-center-1893-1941

08/22/2026

08/19/2026

Delphi to Indianapolis—All Aboard! 🚋

In the early 1900s, Indianapolis was the hub of Indiana’s interurban system, connecting communities across the state. And the growth was extraordinary: Indianapolis grew from 169,164 people in 1900 to 233,650 in 1910—a 38% increase. Interurbans brought thousands of people into the city every day to work, shop, conduct business and enjoy everything Indianapolis had to offer.

And Delphi was connected to it all. Our Interurban Station made it possible to travel from Delphi to Indianapolis and beyond—connecting our small town to opportunity and the growing heart of Indiana.

Today, we have a chance to save that connection for future generations.

Our most urgent goal: rebuild the Interurban’s south wall and SEAL THE BUILDING this year. The structure has already been stabilized, but the south wall must be rebuilt to protect this historic landmark from the elements and further deterioration.

🚋 Help us keep the Interurban restoration on track. Every donation brings us closer to sealing the building and saving Delphi’s Interurban Station.

All Aboard! Donate today.
https://www.delphipreservationsociety.org/interurbandonation

08/12/2026

We have focused a fair amount of posts on how we are working to save the Delphi Interurban Station, But why are we doing this? In trying to write a post about why the Interurban Era was important to Delphi and Indiana as a whole, I couldn't do better than this from William Middleton:

"A hissing sound from the copper wire draped overhead, the urgent clatter of whirling steel wheels on rail joints, and a wailing air horn that commanded respect and attention signaled its coming. Shoving a massive arc headlight and a wooden cow-catcher of imposing dimensions before it, the interurban came racing across the countryside, faster, it seemed, than anything else of man's invention.....

The interurban was an American transportation phenomenon. Evolved from the urban streetcar, the interurban appeared shortly before the dawn of the 20th century, grew to a vast network of over 18,000 miles in two decades of exuberant growth, and then all but vanished after barely three decades of usefulness. But within its brief life span the interurban bridged the gap between a horse and buggy nation and a modern America that rides on rubber over endless lanes of concrete and asphalt."

William D. Middleton, The Interurban Era (Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Co., 1961), p. 12.

https://www.delphipreservationsociety.org/savetheinterurban

08/09/2026

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the DPS tent during Old Settlers! We had a great time talking about our past work on the Delphi Opera House and our current endeavors with the Delphi Interurban Station.

And, we have a winner! It was a close race in the "guess how many screws are in the mason jar" contest. The winner, with a guess of 159, has been contacted. There were 178 screws - so only off by 19. The second best guess (198) was only off by 20 screws - very close!

08/06/2026

🎉 Find the Delphi Preservation Society at Old Settlers! 🎉

If you're enjoying the Old Settlers Celebration on Delphi's beautiful historic courthouse square, be sure to stop by the Delphi Preservation Society tent, conveniently located right in front of the Delphi Opera House!

🕔 Hours:
📍 Thursday: 5:00–10:00 PM
📍 Friday: 5:00–10:00 PM
📍 Saturday: 1:00–10:00 PM

On Saturday, we'd love to visit with you about the exciting restoration of the Delphi Interurban Station, ways you can get involved with DPS, or simply share more about the work we're doing to preserve Delphi's rich architectural and cultural heritage.

We will have pictures of our vision for the Interurban Museum on view Saturday as well!

🎁 Stop by anytime to enter our "Guess the Screws" contest! Take your best guess at how many screws are in the mason jar for a chance to win a gift bag filled with Delphi-themed goodies, including a DPS coffee mug, the Delphi (Images of America) book, and a beautiful frameable painting. The winner will be contacted after Old Settlers concludes.

We can't wait to see you at Old Settlers—stop by, say hello, and help us keep Delphi's history alive!



Delphi Opera House

08/05/2026

The transformation continues!

For more than 50 years, a large steel mezzanine and storage area—installed during the building's years as part of Delphi Body Works—dominated the interior of the historic Interurban Station. That chapter has now ended.

With the steel structure removed, the station has been opened up once again, revealing the incredible volume and character of the original building. The difference is remarkable. For the first time in decades, it's becoming possible to experience the space much as passengers would have when the station welcomed travelers a century ago.

Every step like this brings us closer to our vision: the future home of the Delphi Interurban Museum. Soon, this historic building will once again tell the story of the electric railway that helped shape Delphi and connect our community to the rest of Indiana.

Restoration is a journey, and while there is still much work ahead—including rebuilding the south wall—seeing the station open up reminds us why preserving this landmark matters.

🚋 All Aboard! Thank you to everyone whose donations and encouragement are helping make this transformation possible. Together, we're bringing new life to one of Delphi's most important historic treasures.

Let's keep moving! Please like/share/comment on this post to get more people seeing it and (hopefully) donating to the cause: https://www.delphipreservationsociety.org/interurbandonation

07/29/2026

While we wait to announce the completion of another step towards restoring the historic Delphi Interurban Station, lets talk gutters.

The pics are from failed built- in gutters at The Hamling House Major damage to the structure of the home and porch could have been avoided with better gutter maintenance. Restoration is still in progress....

💧 Out of Sight, But Never Out of Mind:
The Hidden Danger of Neglected Gutters 💧

Whether your home has modern gutters or original built-in (box) gutters, regular maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment.

When gutters become clogged with leaves, twigs, and debris, water has nowhere to go. Instead, it backs up under roofing materials, overflows down walls, and seeps into masonry, wood framing, and foundations. Over time, this can lead to:
🏚️ Rotting wood and structural damage
🧱 Deteriorating brick and mortar
💦 Interior leaks and water damage
🌱 Mold and mildew
❄️ Ice dams and freeze-thaw damage in winter

Historic homes with built-in gutters deserve extra attention. Unlike hanging gutters that are easier to replace, built-in gutters are integrated into the roof structure. If they're neglected, repairs can become extensive—and expensive.

The good news? Most of these problems are preventable.

✔️ Clean gutters at least twice a year (more often if you have large trees nearby).
✔️ Inspect for standing water, rust, separated seams, and loose flashing.
✔️ Make sure downspouts are flowing freely and carrying water away from the foundation.

A few hours of maintenance today can save thousands of dollars in repairs tomorrow.

Have you checked your gutters lately? Your house will thank you!

07/22/2026

Did you know that the walls in your historic home can tell a story?

Before drywall became the standard after World War II, most American homes were finished with traditional plaster. From the colonial era through the 1940s, plaster wasn't just a wall covering—it was a handcrafted finish applied by skilled plasterers.

🏛 1700s–1800s: Early American homes used lime plaster made from lime, sand, water, and often animal hair for strength. Applied over hand-split wood lath, these walls were durable, flexible, and breathable.

🏡 Late 1800s–Early 1900s: As cities grew and Victorian homes flourished, plaster became even more refined. Three-coat plaster systems created smooth, elegant walls and ceilings, while decorative plaster moldings, ceiling medallions, and ornate cornices became symbols of craftsmanship.

🛠 Early 1900s–1940s: Gypsum plaster gained popularity because it set faster than traditional lime plaster, but skilled application was still required. Millions of homes built during this period—including many Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Tudor homes—still have their original plaster walls today.

📦 After World War II: Drywall revolutionized home construction. It was faster, less expensive, and required less specialized labor, gradually replacing traditional plaster in new homes.

Original plaster is often worth preserving. Unlike drywall, historic plaster:
✅ Lasts for generations when properly maintained.
✅ Allows older masonry walls to "breathe," helping manage moisture.
✅ Provides excellent sound insulation.
✅ Preserves the character and authenticity of a historic home.

While cracked plaster can often be repaired, replacing it with drywall may alter the look, feel, and even the performance of a historic building.

Here you see some before and after plaster repair at The Hamling House in Delphi