May 24
In 1932, “the largest crowd ever assembled at Riley Park” saw the Greenfield High School baseball team defeat Morton High School, 7-6. Victory in that final game of the season sparked speculation, driven by the Tigers’ undefeated record and their wins over top teams, that Greenfield was the state baseball champion.
In 1976, a squirrel scampering over an Indiana utility transformer grounded the equipment. His fatal antics knocked out power to Greenfield for over an hour. Power was restored when the carcass was removed.
May 25
In 1956, Presbyterian men started a new stove at First Presbyterian Church by making a pancake breakfast. The meal raised money to help a refugee family travel from New York to Greenfield after arriving in the United States from Europe. The family was one of more than 50 people brought to Indiana by Church World Service.
May 26
In 1877, the first Women’s Temperance Society in Hancock County formed at Westland Friends Church. At one point it had 400 members. It was dissolved in 1914.
In 1929, a Mr. Cummings of Fortville recorded the first hole-in-one at the new Greenfield Country Club, sinking it on the fourth hole. His playing partner, two caddies and other players were there. His nine-hole score was 38.
In 1969, the final start of Hancock Central High School took place in the Maxwell school gymnasium. Sue Marsh was valedictorian of the 63-member class.
In 1996, race car driver and Greenfield native Mark Dismore started his first Indianapolis 500 in the middle of the fifth row. He finished 19th.
May 27
In 1956 the First Baptist Church of Greenfield dedicated a new building on West Street. The church closed in 2018.
May 28
In 1962, a ninth resident of Greenfield was arrested for harboring stolen property as part of a so-called “Fagin ring” (named after the villain in Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist”) from people who had sent a young 13-year-old boy to local stores to steal. The boy told police he stole several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from at least 14 Greenfield stores, selling them to adults at a discount of around 60%.
In 1969, the final start of Greenfield High School took place at North Street School. Vicki Addison was the last to graduate in the class of 127 members. Greenfield and Hancock Central High Schools would join 801 N. Broadway in the fall as Greenfield-Central High School.
May 29
In 1979, Hancock County Commissioners opened bids for a minicomputer to help county employees complete tax procedures, bookkeeping, and payroll processing more quickly. IBM submitted the low bid of $30,950. County Auditor Irene Kramer said the machine would replace a 12-year-old model that had “served its purpose.”
May 30
In 1942 Raceland, a midget car racing track on State Route 67 between McCordsville and Fortville, opened. The $250,000, one-fifth of a mile track was built by owner and manager Frank F. Farney.
In 1962, David Cochard of Greenfield sang “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500. He was a bass soloist with the Purdue University Glee Club.