Category Archives: Events

Events and Happenings

Events, General

AUgust 2026 CCGSI Meeting

AUGUST MEETING
Our monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Clay County Genealogy Library, located at 309 Main St., Center Point, IN.

AUGUST PROGRAM
Following a brief business meeting, member Barbara Campbell Pell will present a program on the Kaiser Trunk and its journey to the United States. These trunks were known for their large size, sturdy construction, and the challenges they posed for immigrants who carried them across oceans and continents. It promises to be a fascinating look at a unique piece of history.

JULY PROGRAM RECAP
We had an excellent turnout for last month’s program on Madge Oberholtzer. Author Charlotte Halsema Ottinger shared insights from her compelling book about Madge and her role in bringing down D.C. Stephenson and the Ku Klux Klan.
Charlotte has generously left a few copies of her book at the library for purchase. If interested, please contact the library at 812 835 5005 during open hours (Monday & Wednesday 10–4, Friday 11–4) or email researchclaycounty@frontier.com.

GRANTS
We are thrilled to announce that the Clay County Genealogical Society has been awarded $1,800 from the UDWI REMC Community Fund. These funds were used to purchase durable metal bookends—simple tools that make a big difference. Quality bookends help keep books upright and prevent warping, reduce stress on aging bindings, protect rare and irreplaceable genealogical volumes, improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup.
This grant directly strengthens our preservation efforts and helps safeguard our collection for future generations.  We are also proud to share that the Brazil Rotary Club has awarded us a $5,200 grant. This funding will be used to purchase metal shelving for the fragile Brazil Times volumes, which have been stored on the floor due to their weight and size. These shelves will allow us to properly preserve and display these important historical newspapers.

LANDSCAPING IMPROVMENTS
Last month we announced a generous donation from a community member to complete the landscaping around our building. We are happy to report that:
• New plants have been added
• A fence has been installed
• A new sign for the front of the building is currently in progress
These improvements help make our library welcoming, attractive, and representative of the pride we have in CCGSI.

Articles, Events, General

CCGS Members Go to Jail at Bowling Green

CCGS Members Go to Jail at Bowling Green

Members of the Clay County Genealogical Society held their 2025 July meeting at Bowling Green in the two-story brick Clay County Jail built in the early 1860s.  Hosts for the afternoon were John and Nancy Lankford. The historic jail is a stately building on the corner    Lafayette and Washington streets. 

            Nancy shared historical information and stories about the jail that was contracted to be built in 1861 by Wingate and Black for $3,750.  The bricks were made at the east end of town on land where the seminary was later built. The two-story building has a crawl space under it, but it does not have a basement with cells as was previously claimed.  The first floor is 12’ tall and the second floor is 11’ tall.  There is an original walnut staircase leading to the second floor.  The cell area has a 12” thick concrete floor. The other parts of the building have hardwood floors, as the building also served as a residence for the sheriff and his family.

            Nancy shared several stories including the prisoners who stopped their escape one winter night when they decided it was better to be in jail than to freeze to death outside.  Another story involved the hanging of the jailer’s black cat, Tom Feline, who was keeping the prisoners awake with its cries to escape their jail cell.

            John and Nancy shared information about how they and previous owners have repaired the building to preserve it.  A new roof was added, the bricks were tuck-pointed, and new windows were installed as well as several other repairs to improve the integrity of the building.

            Over the years the jail has served several purposes.  After the county seat was moved to Brazil in 1877, the jail served as a residence to several families.  When the Bowling Green School burned in 1918, the younger students attended school in the jail, and the older students attended school at the undertaker’s business while a new school was being built.  Later the jail served as a residence and an antique business.  The Lankfords have plans for working on the inside of the jail to continue its preservation.