Lost Treasures of Indiana - by Joseph S Pete (Hardcover)

About the Book

Lost Treasures of Indiana is not another book rehashing the various theories of where the word Hoosier came from or waxing rhapsodic about cornfields, basketball, and pork tenderloin sandwiches. Author Joseph S. Pete, an award-winning journalist, instead explores lesser-known histories of the Hoosier State, such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's first-ever race that involved hot-air balloons and not race cars, an amusement park that displayed cigarette-smoking bears, or a trolley park that roped in crowds with diving Arabian horses. The book looks back at ghost towns like Hindostan, miniature towns like Littleville, and underground creeks downtown. It reminisces about familiar favorites like the L.S. Ayres Tea Room, King Cole, Burger Chef, Merrill's Hi-Decker, Roselyn Bakery, Sammy Terry, and Sauzer's Kiddieland. It evokes fond memories about bygone institutions from every corner of the Hoosier State like Market Square Arena, the Mesker Park Zoo Monkey House, the Little Nashville Opry, the Lincoln Museum, and the College Football Hall of Fame. Travel back in time to revisit places like Marsh Supermarkets, Hook's Drug Stores, and other relics of the past. Learn about how Indiana gave the world laxative water, iconic skyscrapers, and many of the earliest cars to hit the road.

About the Author

Joseph S. Pete is an award-winning journalist and Times of Northwest Indiana columnist who has written five books about the Hoosier State, including Secret Northwest Indiana. He's an Indiana University graduate, an Iraq veteran, a longtime Society of Professional Journalists Indiana Pro Chapter treasurer, a frequent guest on Lakeshore Public Radio, and a reporter in northern, central, and southern Indiana. He has traveled every corner of Indiana from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River.