Virtual Tour

Crawfordsville was Joe Allen’s first launch pad. As a boy, he wore pots as helmets, pretending to go to space. Little did he know that one day, he would make aeronautical history in the shuttles Columbia and Discovery. His Columbia team was the only NASA astronauts to return malfunctioning satellites. Allen was the last man to spacewalk untethered.

During much of Allen’s life, he feared he would never get to space. He participated in the ground crew of the Apollo 15 mission. When the Apollo program was cancelled, he served as NASA’s liaison to Congress. In 1982, he finally became a Mission Specialist for Columbia, ultimately logging 314 hours in space. He was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame and awarded the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash.

James Mount served as the 24th governor of Indiana from 1897-1901. He signed legislation in 1897 requiring all school-age children to attend school. Mount was also instrumental in decreasing the number of state positions held by political cronies or parties.

James and Kate, his wife, were prosperous farmers and by 1895 had purchased 500 acres of land. He served as President of the State Horse Thief Detective Association, a vigilante group established to protect farmers rights. His connections within the farming community led the Republican party to nominate Mount for a run for state senate.

He won the contest and was elected to the state senate in 1888. His political career culminated in his run for governor in 1897. It was a position he did not enjoy. He died two days after he left office, on the eve of his return home to Crawfordsville.

James Mount served as the 24th governor of Indiana from 1897-1901. He signed legislation in 1897 requiring all school-age children to attend school. Mount was also instrumental in decreasing the number of state positions held by political cronies or parties.

James and Kate, his wife, were prosperous farmers and by 1895 had purchased 500 acres of land. He served as President of the State Horse Thief Detective Association, a vigilante group established to protect farmers rights. His connections within the farming community led the Republican party to nominate Mount for a run for state senate.

He won the contest and was elected to the state senate in 1888. His political career culminated in his run for governor in 1897. It was a position he did not enjoy. He died two days after he left office, on the eve of his return home to Crawfordsville.