“Arthur Franklin Mapes” State Historical Marker To Be Dedicated in Kendallville

A new Indiana state historical marker commemorating poet Arthur Franklin Mapes will be dedicated on Saturday, September 13. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, which will take place at the Bixler Lake Park Nature Area trailhead (near Sherman St. and Indiana Ave.), in Kendallville, at 11 a.m. Parking is available along side streets in the area.

The new historical marker commemorates Mapes’s role as poet laureate and his work penning the official state poem, “Indiana.” It helps highlight Hoosier contributions to the arts and cultural history. The marker was sponsored by Flint & Walling, Inc., the Kendallville Park and Recreation Department, and the Mapes family.

The text follows for the state marker entitled “Arthur Franklin Mapes, 1913-1986:”

Acclaimed poet Arthur Franklin Mapes was born in Kendallville. A lifelong resident of the city, he worked as a machinist for Flint & Walling for over 30 years, penning poetry in his free time. Written in accessible and rhythmic prose, his poems portrayed the beauty of Indiana’s landscape. They evoked nostalgia for Hoosier traditions during 20th century modernization. Mapes received national recognition for his depictions of midwestern identity and culture. Three of his poems were printed in the U.S. Congressional Record. In 1963, the Indiana General Assembly adopted his work “Indiana” as the official state poem and, in 1977, named Mapes as State Poet Laureate. He later published a volume of collected poems titled Indiana Memories.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places, and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve, and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years, the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 750 of these markers have been installed over the years. The marker is the eighth marker to be installed in Noble County and the first in over 10 years. For a listing of all markers in Noble County and statewide, click here.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana history, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call 317-232-2537. For more information on the dedication, contact marker applicant Angela Mapes Turner at: [email protected].