STANDING TALL Elsby and his building feted in New Albany
A News and Tribune Publication
OCTOBER 20, 2016 — Issue 135
TOP THREE:
Charlestown State Park events
CONCERT:
Piano Men at IUS Ogle Center
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DESIGN
Claire White
STORY
Chris Morris
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ON THE COVER:
The Elsby Building is pictured in downtown New Albany in this file photo. A celebration of the building and Samuel J. Elsby will take place Saturday, Nov. 5. | FILE PHOTO
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EDITOR
Jason Thomas
TWITTER @newsandtribune
Elsby stands tall in New Albany
I
hate to admit it but I’ve never stepped foot to 10 p.m. that night, A Grand Celebration at inside the Elsby building. The Grand features the Don Krekel Orchestra, Oh, I’ve wanted to. As a history buff and appetizers, a cash bar and of course memorabilia admirer of architecture, the structure on Spring from the guest of honor, the Elsby building. Street in downtown New Albany always caught Like Samuel Elsby, the building played a key my fancy. role in putting New Albany on the map. While But maybe some things are best admired from its man purpose was a business center, the Elsby afar. Like the Floyd Central Dazzler that I had a served other functions: as a relief center after JASON THOMAS crush on in high school. a 1917 tornado tore through New Albany, and SoIn Editor Yeah, I went there. as the place to be seen socially, having hosted Back to the Elsby. The building is as beautiful regular dances of the Carlton Club. as its namesake is interesting. Samuel J. Elsby also stood Who knows what’s in the buildings future, but some tall, and separated himself from the crowd — just like his are making educated guesses: a boutique hotel? condobuilding, Chris Morris writes in today’s centerpiece. miniums? New Albany’s architectural crown jewel — it’s surWhatever it is, it will be beautiful, and best admired up vived a flood, a tornado, even the Great Depression, Mor- close. ris notes — turns 100 this year and the city is throwing it a party Saturday, Nov. 5. — Jason Thomas is the editor of SoIn. He can be reached by The building, at Spring and Pearl streets, will be open phone at 812-206-2127 or email at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScoopThomas. for free public tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. And from 7
A way to honor the dead SOIN THE KNOW
• WHAT: Día de los Muertos • WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1
• WHERE: New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, Strassweg Auditorium • INFO: Call 812-949-3523
NEW ALBANY — Join the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, for music, games, and a traditional paper craft as it celebrates Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico (where it is a public holiday) and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States, a library news release stated. This multi-day holiday focuses on family and friends coming together to pray for and remember loved ones who
have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars
to honor the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds (the traditional flower used to honor the dead), and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and also visiting graves with these as gifts. At our Día de los Muertos celebration, attendees can add to an altar that will be set up and share the significance of the items they are leaving. Attendees can also learn to play loteria (Mexican bingo) and try their hand at making papel picado. Considered a Mexican folk art, papel picado is a decorative craft made out of paper cut into elaborate designs. Papel picado designs are commonly cut from tissue paper using a guide and small chisels (or in our case, scissors), creating as many as forty banners at a time. Guests can enjoy traditional Mexican music as they learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos. All ages are welcome to attend this event.
SOIN | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016
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3 TO GO
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Where to go and be seen in Southern Indiana
PARK FULL OF PRANKS • WHAT: Fall events at Charlestown State Park
• WHEN: Friday, Oct. 21, Saturday, Oct. 22 • WHERE: Charlestown State Park, 12500 Ind. 62, Charlestown
• INFO: Facebook.com/charlestownsp
Friday Oct. 21: 3 p.m.: Rose Island History Tour; 7 p.m. Campground Scavenger Hunt; 9 p.m.: A True Tale of Murder on Trail 3; Saturday, Oct. 22: 10 a.m.: Cemetery Hike; 4 p.m.: Campground Decorating Contest Deadline: Sign your site up for at the Campground gatehouse; 5 p.m. Campground Trick or Treating begins Campground open to all for trick or treating; 7:30 p.m.: Costume Contest: Front Loop Comfort Station located near Campsite 54 is site for costume contest.
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YOUR DAILY FIBER SIP AND TIP • WHAT: Oktoberfest Sip and Stroll • WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 • WHERE: Downtown Jeffersonville • COST: $15 pre-sale; $20 day of • INFO: www.JeffMainStreet.org
Oktoberfest Sip and Stroll is from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21 in Historic Downtown Jeffersonville. Sample beers and wines inside downtown shops. Live music on sidewalks. Free Trolley rides. $15 in advance, $20 day of. Tickets on sale online at www.JeffMainStreet.org, and at Schimpff’s Confectionery, Springs Salon and Spa, Choices Boutique, and Budget Print Center.
• WHAT: Southern Indiana Fiber Arts Festival • WHEN: 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22
• WHERE: Masonic Lodge, 805 E. Market St., New Albany
• INFO: facebook.com/Southern-Indiana-Fiber-
Arts-Festival The Southern Indiana Fiber Arts Festival is from 1 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Masonic Lodge, 805. E. Market St., New Albany. See fibers transformed into arts during this annual festival. Discover and purchase homespun goodness in the form of quilted, crocheted, weaved, and knitted treasures. Enjoy food and live music.
GOTTA GO: Interested in seeing your event in our 3 To Go? Email SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@newsandtribune.com
Celebrating a New
Pair of events Nov
NEWS AND newsroom@new
N
EW ALBANY the Elsby Bui strength and e Albany landmark, i flood, tornado and and soon the Elsb 100th birthday. “It’s really coo New Albany’s m ings,” said Floyd Dave Barksdale. It’s everything Samuel J. Elsby, be 100 years ago Elsby also stoo ed himself from t like his building. County, Elsby tra into a politician, p and entrep in a
Albany tr easur e
v. 5 to highlight Elsby and his building
D TRIBUNE wsandtribune.com
Y — Standing tall, ilding is a sign of elegance. A New it has survived a d Great Depression, by will celebrate its
ol. I think it’s one of most iconic buildd County Historian
g its namesake, had hoped it would o. od tall, and separatthe crowd — just A native of Perry ansformed himself pharmacist, banker preneur. Accordng to newspaper articles, Elsby was
IF YOU GO
• WHAT: Elsby building celebration • WHEN/WHERE: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free build-
ing tours); 7 to 10 p.m. (A Grand Celebration at The Grand, 138 E. Market St., will feature the Don Krekel Orchestra, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and memorabilia of the building), Saturday, Nov. 5 • INFO: Tickets for the event on Nov. 5 are $35 per person and are available by logging onto the website at SilverHillsHistoricalSociety.org, by emailing Silver.Hills@ywc.com, or by calling Kelly Carnighan at 502-494-0840.
both patriotic and honest, lovable and sincere. He wanted what was best for the city he called home. Both the building, and the man it was named after, will be celebrated at two events Saturday, Nov. 5. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That day, the New Albany landmark, at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets in downtown New Albany, will be open to the public for free tours. Then from 7 to 10 p.m., A Grand Celebration at The Grand, 138 E. Market St., will feature the Don Krekel Orchestra, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and memorabilia of the building and Elsby. The Elsby Building was completed in November of 1916. By February of 1917, 90 percent of the site was occupied with “leading citizens, business and professional men and women. It is said that everybody admires the new Elsby.” Those tenants are all listed by floors in Kelly Carnighan’s book, “Samuel J. Elsby: Banker, Businessman, Community Leader,” which will be available on Nov. 5. Carnighan, a New Albany resident, is the great-grandson of Elsby. Following the 1917 tornado that ripped through New Albany and damaged hundreds of homes, the New Albany Citizens Relief Committee set up headquarters in the Elsby. And when much of New Albany was under water during the flood in 1937, Elsby removed all money from the building’s famed vault and took it to his home in Silver Hills and hung it on clothes lines to dry.
SEE ELSBY, PAGE 8
Committee members for A Grand Celebration at The Grand include, Dave Barksdale, Floyd County historian and president of the Floyd County Historical Society, Kelly Carnighan, great-grandson of Samuel Elsby and director of the Silver Hills Historical Society, and Ruth Anne Elsby, wife of Bob Elsby, grandson of Samuel Elsby. | SUBMITTED PHOTO
6 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 | SoIn
ENTERTAINMENT
Father and son piano team Ryan & Ryan will visit the Ogle Center on Nov. 4. | PHOTO PROVIDED
Play us a song The Ogle Center at Indiana University Southeast presents father and son piano duo, Ryan & Ryan, on Friday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ogle Center’s Stem Concert Hall on the IU Southeast campus, 4201 Grant Line Road in New Albany. Ryan & Ryan is a dynamic father-son piano duo that blends classic and contemporary music into an enthralling concert experience, an Ogle Center news release stated. With remarkable credits as solo performers, Donald and Barron combine efforts to amaze audiences with their skill, expressiveness, and love of making music. Their experience in classical, jazz, ragtime, hip-hop, and funk allows them to create exciting new music and give fresh interpretations of old standards. From Rachmaninoff to Gershwin to Billy Joel, Donald and Barron Ryan combine their talents to create a dazzling blend of old and new schools. Audiences everywhere have been particularly enthralled by their selections from Dave Grusin’s soundtrack to “The Firm,” by Rachmaninoff’s “Second Suite for Two Pianos,” and by their spontaneous jazz improvisations. Their performance of George
SOIN THE KNOW
MOVIES: OCT. 21
é “Jack Reacher: Never Go
Back” “Keeping Up with the Joneses” “Ouija: Origin of Evil”
This week's entertainment releases
T.V. PREMIERES: OCT. 20 “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” (FOX) OCT. 23 é “The Walking Dead” (AMC)
BOOKS: OCT. 25 é “The Whistler” by John Grisham “Cooking for Jeffrey” by Ina Garten
• WHAT: Ryan & Ryan • WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4
• WHERE: The Ogle Center
at Indiana University Southeast, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany • TICKETS: $20 adults,$10 students; available at the Ogle Center ticket office, by calling 812-941-2525, or online at oglecenter.com. For more information, call the Ogle Center at (812) 941-2525 or visit oglecenter.com.
Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” has always earned a standing ovation. A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Donald Ryan came to the United States to study music, earning degrees from Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa. He is well known as a master of diverse styles-evidenced by a diploma from the 9th International Chopin Competition as well as his induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Donald has also earned the distinction of being among the most accomplished pianists in the world as a Steinway Artist.
An open view of local art SOIN THE KNOW
• WHAT: Louisville Visual Art open studio
• WHEN: Launch party, 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4
• WHERE: Cressman Center, 100 E. Main St., Louisville
• INFO: louisvillevisualart.org Artists from all over Louisville will open their doors Nov. 5 and 6 for Open Studio Weekend 2016 with Louisville Visual Art (LVA). The event gives anyone who appreciates art — from enthusiasts to collectors — the opportunity to step inside participating studios where they can interact with artists and personally experience how and where local art is made. They may see artists at work, get a glimpse of the process of making art, and in some cases, take advantage of studio sales. “Open Studio Weekend is the perfect occasion to discover local artists and embrace the opportunity to invest in original art,” said Lindy Casebier,
2015 Open Studio Weekend participants watch a demo at Hyland Glass. | PHOTO PROVIDED LVA’s executive director. maps with suggested routes, artist The event launch party is from 6 to locations, information and images of 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Cressman Center, artists’ work. An event phone app is 100 E. Main St., Louisville. Open also available. Purchase tickets at the Studio is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 5 and Cressman Center or online at louisvilnoon to 5 p.m. Nov. 6. The cost is levisualart.org. $20 or $10 for students, art educators, Now in its fourth year, the event seniors and LVA members, which has become so popular, with more allows participants to visit as many than 20,000 visits to studios last studios as they like and includes a year, event organizers added a new opportunity. nearly 50-page studio guide with area
SoIn | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016
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LOCAL SOIN HAPPENINGS Feeling left out? Send your establishment’s and/or organization’s upcoming events/new features/entertainment information to SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@ newsandtribune.com
LIVE MUSIC
• WHERE: Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards • WHEN/WHO: Friday, Oct. 21: Brian Elmore; 1 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: The Fiasco Brothers; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23: Corey & Stacey; 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29: South Upland; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: Me and You
LIVE MUSIC AT WICK’S
• WHAT: Live on State • WHERE: Wick’s, 225 State St., New Albany
Friday, Oct. 28: Beatles Takeover Halloween Party; Saturday, Oct. 29: Halloween with 8 Inch Elvis
BANK STREET BREWHOUSE
• WHAT: Live music • WHERE: Bank Street Brewhouse, 415 Bank St., New
Albany All shows 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 7 to 9 p.m.: Evan Jackson; Friday, Oct. 28, 7 to 9 p.m.: Gavin Caster
JAM ON AT THE LEGION
• WHAT: Entertainment at the American Legion • WHERE: Bonnie Sloan American Legion, 1930 McDonald
Lane, New Albany • WHEN/WHO: 7 to 10 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Oct. 20: Karaoke, hosted by Bob and Charlene Wilkerson; 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 21, Saturday, Oct. 22: Evolution Band • OTHER EVENTS: Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7:15 to 10:15 p.m., Bingo; 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15: $5 breakfast
CORYDON LIVE
• WHAT: Live country music • WHERE: 220 Hurst Lane, Corydon • INFO: Admission, adults $12; children 6-12, $7; under 6,
free. For tickets call 812-734-6288. Friday, Oct. 21: The KING, The KILLER and The MAN IN BLACK: Tribute to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, featuring: Brad McCrady, Rockin’ Terry Lee, Frank Hamilton; Saturday, Oct. 22: Ricky Howsare, Jaclyn Shields, Tim Johnson, Natalie Berry; Saturday, Oct. 29: Tiffany Puckett, Jeremy Puckett, Donnie Lee Strickland, Natalie Berry
SPIN A YARN
• WHAT: Southern Indiana Fiber Arts Festival • WHEN: 1-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22
• WHERE: Masonic Lodge, 805. E. Market St., New Albany.
See fibers transformed into arts during this annual festival.
and we’ll treat you to a
FREE GAS CARD
Discover and purchase homespun goodness in the form of quilted, crocheted, weaved, and knitted treasures. Enjoy food and live music.
DAS PARTY
• WHAT: German American Heritage event • WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 • WHERE: New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, Strasweg
Auditorium, 180 W. Spring St., New Albany Join the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library Thursday, Oct. 20, for German food, live accordion music, and more as it celebrates German American Heritage. A sampling of traditional German food will be available at the event (while supplies last). Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite German (or German-inspired) attire; small prizes will be awarded to everyone who comes dressed for the occasion. A copy of the book “Indiana at 200: A Celebration of the Hoosier State (the official bicentennial book for the state of Indiana)” will also be awarded as a door prize during the event. Information will be available from local organizations that promote an appreciation of German language and culture.
SMELL MY FEET
• WHAT: Annual Costume Carnival • WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 • WHERE: Floyd County 4-H Fairgrounds on Green Valley
Road. This will be the 30th year for the event. The Costume Carnival will include representatives from local businesses in the community who will pass out candy. Hot dogs and drinks are also given to the youth, along with a DJ and costume contest, prizes, fishing pond and balloon activities. Businesses are needed to sponsor a table which includes buying and distributing candy. The cost is $75 for candy. The Floyd County 4-H will provide volunteers to distribute the candy if needed. For more information contact Kathy Redden at 502-262-7229.
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CREEPY FOR THE KIDS
• WHAT: Kids’ Halloween Party • WHEN: 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 • WHERE: Griffin Center, 1140 Griffin Street, New Albany
Event includes inflatables, door prizes, face painting, free food and creepy games.
PLANT A SEED
• WHAT: Seeds and Greens two-year anniversary party • WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 • WHERE: Seeds and Greens, 207 W. First St., New Albany
Special give-aways all day, as well as free samples and gift bag drawings. Also, 1 percent all gift items, essential oils and diffusers, salt lamps and cooking stones, BlueQ bags, mushroom grow kits, beauty products (soap, lotion, bath, face), all Aliffia products are 15 percent off. This is a one day only event.
Phone # ______________________________ Email _________________________________________________________________ We accept: MC, Visa, Disc and Amex. Please call to pay by card. (812) 206-2108
Have your credit or debit card ready and call (812) 206-2109. Valid for non-subscribers living in Floyd and Clark county only, including residents of Lexington, Lanesville, Pekin and Elizabeth, IN. Origin code: BOO. Send to News and Tribune, P.O. Box 867, Jeffersonville, IN 47131. Offer expires 11-30-2016.
8 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 | SOIN
The Elsby is pictured in New Albany during the flood of 1937. | SUBMITTED PHOTO
ELSBY: Organization selling ornament of building CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
New Albany does not have.
“It had just been finished prior to the tornado and relief efforts were housed in the Elsby,” Barksdale said. “The building also survived the flood … it’s just a great building. “Almost everyone has an Elsby Building story. Maybe they went to the dentist or doctor there. The Elsby has touched so many lives.” Barksdale, and Greg Sekula, Southern Regional Director of Indiana Landmarks, both think the Elsby has a bright future — but maybe not as an office building. The two said the building would be a great location for condominiums, apartments or a hotel. “I don’t think it will ever be a fully occupied office building again. I see some residential opportunities in its future,” Barksdale said. “It’s still in great shape. I see it being refurbished in the future.” Sekula said it was designed to be a 20th century office building, with narrow hallways. He said he also sees it being a multi-use building in the future, possibly a boutique hotel, something downtown
Elsby became a licensed pharmacist in 1897 and opened English Pharmacy, a successful business that eventually led him to join others in founding the Louisville College of Pharmacy. In 1947, it merged with the University of Kentucky to become its College of Pharmacy. In 1902, Elsby first entered the field of banking when he purchased an interest in the English State Bank. His second venture came two years later when he was one of the principle organizers of the Mutual Trust and Deposit Company in New Albany. He was elected its second president and served from 1905 to 1907, according to Carnighan’s research. By 1911 he announced the organization of the German-American Bank and Trust Co. in New Albany, which purchased the old Masonic Temple building at East Spring and Pearl streets. That structure was torn down to construct the Elsby. Anti-German sentiment prompted the bank’s name to be changed to the American Bank & Trust Co. The Great Depression forced
THE MAN AT THE CENTER
that bank into financial reorganization, emerging as the American Bank. It remained under that name and ownership of the Elsby family until both the bank and building were sold in the mid-1960s. The stock market crash of 1929 forced Elsby to sell the American Bank & Trust Co. He died shortly after the 1937 flood at his home in Silver Hills. He was 78.
ORNAMENT Develop New Albany, the city’s nonprofit, Main Street organization, is selling a solid pewter holiday ornament featuring the Elsby Building this year. The building is the 10th in an annual series of landmark buildings in New Albany to be featured. The ornament is available at the following downtown establishments: Develop New Albany office and information center, Mariposa, Colokial, Copper Moon, Regalo, Antique Attic, Dress & Dwell, Madhouse, Arts Council of Southern Indiana and Strandz & Threadz on Vincennes Street. Cost of each ornament is $15. Proceeds will benefit downtown revitalization activities of Develop New Albany.
THE BUILDING These impressive features, many of which will be seen on the Nov. 5 tour, were touted at the time: • The steel skeletal construction has concrete and tile floors, is fireproof throughout, with no wood used except in doors and finished floors. • The main lobby, bank floor, and corridors of the upper floors are of tile and marble, both sanitary and beautiful. • The bank room is up-to-date in every respect, with a large fire- and burglar-proof vault. It has a retiring room where comfort can be obtained in the heart of the business community. • All stairways are fireproof with all offices well-lit by outside windows. • Two centrally located elevators are of modern traction type, electrically driven, spacious, and rapid. • Three stores are on the ground level, and the top floor is made into a lodge room, while the basement houses a barber shop, pool tables, meeting rooms, and a tub and shower baths. THE TENANTS By its completion in November of 1916, The Elsby’s tenants included dentists, doctors, lawyers, jewelers, insurance companies, and accountants. By February of 1917, 90 percent of the site was occupied with “leading citizens, business and professional men and women. It is said that everybody admires the new Elsby.” Those tenants are all listed by floors in Kelly Carnighan’s book, “Samuel J. Elsby: Banker, Businessman, Community Leader.” THE SOCIAL HUB For years, historic accounts hailed The Elsby as the center of social gatherings. • The Carlton Club hosted monthly dances in the lodge room on the sixth floor. • The Red Cross and Boy Scout troops held meetings in the basement. • The Chamber of Commerce, Young Businessmen’s Club, and Elks Club also held meetings there. • Social events at The Elsby were routinely featured in The Courier-Journal, describing in depth the decorations. THE HAVEN • Following the 1917 tornado that ripped through New Albany and damaged 500 homes, the New Albany Citizens Relief Committee set up headquarters in The Elsby. Civic groups gave up their meeting space for that purpose while making their membership available to help in the relief efforts. • When all of New Albany was under water during the largest flood in American history to devastate the Ohio Valley in 1937, Elsby removed all money from the vault and took it to his home in Silver Hills and hung it on clotheslines to dry.