Story, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Story, Indiana
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Brown County's location in Indiana
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 Story, Indiana
Location in Brown County, Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Brown |
| Township | Van Buren |
| Elevation | 577 ft (176 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 4 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47448
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| Area code(s) | 812 & 930 |
| FIPS code | 18-73628 |
| GNIS feature ID | 451514 |
Story is a small, unique place in Indiana, found in Brown County. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Even though it's small, Story has a rich history and a famous inn!
Contents
The History of Story, Indiana
How Story Began
Brown County, Indiana, where Story is located, was created in 1836. The land was originally home to Native American tribes. It became open for European settlement in 1809. This happened after a special agreement called the "Ten O’Clock Treaty." This treaty opened up a huge area of land for people to settle.
The village of Story is named after Dr. George P. Story. He received land here in 1851 from President Millard Fillmore. Dr. Story moved from Ohio and started a farm and a medical practice. Soon, a school and a mill were built. People started calling the area "Storyville."
Growing into a Village
Story officially became a village in 1882. Dr. Arnold S. Griffitt took over the medical practice and farming. He also opened a dry goods store, which was the first post office. The village's first church was also started around this time. The old Story-Griffitt House is now part of the Story Inn.
Story became more important in the early 1900s. Its general store was very popular and kept the village going into the 1950s. In the late 1800s, the village had a store, a mill, a saw mill, a blacksmith shop, and even a slaughterhouse.
The Wheeler General Store
In 1900, Alra and Mary Wheeler bought the store and mill. They lived in a beautiful house across from the store, which is also now part of the Story Inn. The original store building burned down in 1915. But the Wheelers quickly built a new, bigger two-story store. It was called "Wheeler General Store."
The Wheeler store was very successful. It supplied several "huckster wagons" that traveled around the area selling goods. It was also a big center for buying wool in the county. The store even employed six full-time people.
Changes and Challenges
In the 1920s, another store opened in Story, but it closed by the early 1930s. Even so, Story was seen as a "prosperous little town" with two stores, a church, a school, and homes.
In 1924, Albert and Susan Hedrick bought the general store and other businesses. They renamed it "Hedrick & Son Grocery." The 1920s and 1930s were the busiest years for the store. They sold everything from farm tools to clothes and fresh meat. They even processed their own meat!
Farming in Brown County was tough because of the hilly land. Many farmers sold their land to the government in the 1920s. This land became Brown County State Park. During the Great Depression (1929–1933), many families left their farms to find work. Brown County lost half its population between 1930 and 1940. This loss of people meant fewer customers for Story's businesses.
Isolation and Preservation
In 1960, the United States Army Corps of Engineers created Lake Monroe (Indiana). This flooded an area west of Story. A road that connected Story to Bloomington, Indiana was closed. This made Story even more isolated.
Despite these challenges, Story's old buildings were saved. Because there wasn't much money for new construction, the old wooden floors, tin ceilings, and original lighting were never replaced. This helped keep the historic charm of Story.
Today, the area around Story is very natural. It sits near Salt Creek, which is a system of quiet waterways. This area is protected and is a beautiful place for fish and birds.
The Story Inn Today
A New Beginning
The general store continued to operate into the 1970s. In 1978, Benjamin and Cynthia Schultz bought the store, mill, barn, and a small house. They lived on the second floor of the store. Benjamin, an architect, and Cynthia, a former restaurant owner, had a dream. They wanted to create a bed and breakfast. This is how the "Story Inn" began!
Over the next ten years, they bought back nearly all the land that made up the old town. They turned the upstairs of the grocery store and other cottages into guest rooms. The name "Story Inn" became famous, and the business grew as bed and breakfasts became popular.
New Owners and Recognition
In 1992, the Schultzes sold the Story Inn. The town faced tough times again. But in 1999, Rick Hofstetter and Frank Mueller bought the entire town. They had experience renovating historic places.
Today, the village of Story, Indiana, is a country inn and bed & breakfast. The second floor of the Old General Store has guest rooms. One famous room is called the "Blue Lady." Some people say they have seen a friendly ghost in flowing white robes there!
Story's Old General Store is now a restaurant. The village was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 2019. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
The Story Inn hosts the annual Indiana Wine Fair in May. It's a great place to visit, just a short drive from Nashville, Indiana and next to Brown County State Park.
