Processed by
Robert W. Smith and Dorothy A. Nicholson
August 2007
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
1 box OVA photographs |
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COLLECTION |
1937 |
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PROVENANCE: |
William B. Lewis, 1735 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Indianapolis, 1978 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
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ACCESSION |
1978.0709 |
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NOTES: |
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Born 17 November 1856, in Amyvale County in Monagham, Ireland, young Thomas Taggart (and family) journeyed to the United States where they settled in Xenia, Ohio. As a teenager, he worked at a restaurant in Garrett, Indiana, the Ohmer Company. He was sent (1877) to another of their restaurants in Indianapolis’ Union Station. Ten years later he became the sole proprietor of the Union Station eatery and later served as manager of the city’s Denison Hotel. Hard work led to his proprietorship and managing of restaurants and hotels—ventures which made him wealthy. He owned and operated the Union Depot Hotel, the Grand Hotel and controlling interest in the Denison.
His political career began when, as a Democrat, he was elected (1886) auditor in the Hoosier capital and re-elected in 1890. He served as city, county and state Democratic chairman while fulfilling his duties as auditor. As county chairman of his party, he carried Marion County for Grover Cleveland (1888), defeating the locally popular Benjamin Harrison. He took the Indianapolis mayoral ticket in 1894 and the next two elections. As mayor, his public improvements and fiscal efficiency included the city’s purchase of 900 acres along White River, which formed the nucleus of an expanding park system.
In 1901 Taggart organized a group of individuals who purchased French Lick Springs Hotel where he served as president of the hotel’s governing board. In due course he bought out his partners and developed spas in the Hotel which attracted many, as did also its illegal gambling, which was later outlawed. He also served on the boards of Fletcher-American National Bank, Indianapolis Light, Heat and Power, acted as treasurer of the Indiana Lincoln Union, and sat on the George Rogers Clark Memorial Commission.
In the winter of 1928–29 illness and surgery took their toll, silencing his voice and charismatic personality. On 6 March 1929, the Indianapolis News declared in bold front page headlines his passing in the capital city. Politicians and journalists both locally and around the country praised his contribution to society. Editorially the Indianapolis News on March 6, 1929 declared, “He was a shrewd and capable politician, knowing men as have few political leaders in this state . . . a real leader in the best sense of the word.” Surviving him were his widow Eva (from Garrett, Indiana) whom he married in 1877, a son, and four daughters.
Sources:
Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.
Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1994.
Reference Room Collection: F534.I55 E4 1994
Dictionary of American
Biography. New York, Scribner’s 1964.
Reference Room Collection: E176 .D563
Indianapolis News, March 6, 1929.
The collection contains ten black-and-white photographs of interior views of Thomas and Eva Taggart’s elegant home at 1331 N. Delaware Street in Indianapolis. Various rooms are shown with their furnishings, art objects, paintings, and family photographs on display.
Each photograph is 10 ½ x 13 ¼ inches mounted on 11 x 14 boards. The name “Schmid ‘37” is written in pencil in the lower right hand front corner of each board. On the verso of the photograph in folder 10 are two notes in two different hands: “Tom’s Pilot about 1929” “Photos 1331 N. Del. So. Mr. Schmidt Tools Tom’s pilot about 1929.” It is not know if the photographs were taken in 1929 or 1937, ten years after Taggart’s death.
The residence currently houses the national headquarters of a college fraternity, Delta Phi, its current owner (2007).
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Vestibule and stairway to upper floors |
OVA Photographs: |
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Carved oak shelves with statue of Diana and decorative vases with mirror above shelves |
OVA Photographs: |
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View of vestibule and stairway from study or library. Portrait of Taggart on wall |
OVA Photographs: |
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View of library or study with alcove and French doors |
OVA Photographs: |
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Detail of library alcove with table lamps and statue |
OVA Photographs: |
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Library or study with view of fireplace |
OVA Photographs: |
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Dining room with woman’s portrait on the wall |
OVA Photographs: |
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View of garden from open French doors in dining room |
OVA Photographs: |
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Entrance to bedroom, fireplace and chairs in view |
OVA Photographs: |
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Interior of same bedroom, family pictures on display |
OVA Photographs: |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, P0111)..
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.