American Hometown

Tom Roznowski, based in Bloomington, Indiana, is a writer and musician. He is host of Hometown, a radio program broadcast by NPR affiliate WFIU.

"Tom Roznowski has deployed the 1927 City Directory of Terre Haute like a mist net across time to catch a vanished place. An American Hometown is part Akenfield—Robert Blythe's portrait of an English village—and part Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology. Terre Haute, 1927, is more alive than many American cities today."—Howard Mansfield"Tom Roznowski brings the lost world of a city back to life, and in so doing asks us to re-imagine the way we live now. December 2009/January 2010"—Bloom Magazine"For Roznowski, the pursuit of the past is not an exercise in nostalgia, but an attempt to bring wisdom forward—to learn not just from our mistakes as a culture, but from the things we did right as well, and then left by the wayside in the 20th century's mad dash to a consumerist, automobile-centered society.February/March 2010"—Bloom"Roznowski is an evocative, romantic storyteller, and his research revives a simpler time and place not far from here. March 28, 2010"—The Herald Times"Roznowski has the storyteller's skill for isolating relevant detail and employing rhetorical flourish to illuminate both character and scene."—Jacob Jones, University of Maryland"Tom Roznowski uses an innovative way to capture the image of Terre Haute in 1927. The City Directory listings become a social history carried along by humor, deep feeling and a sense of national history. The prosperous and famous share the stage, as they should, with ordinary residents. Even those living at the County Poor Farm find their rightful place in the fabric of community.1983, IUP"—Dorothy W. Jerse, On the Banks of the Wabash: a photograph album of Greater Terre Haute 1900-1950

• ContentsForeword by Scott Russell SandersAcknowledgmentsIntroductionAbel Manufacturing Company—to—Robert AxlanderBachelor Club—to—Roxie ByrdBarden Calloway—to—John CroweDaphne Confectionary—to—Lemon H. DunnTilatha East—to—Mary EurigaEthel Failing—to—Emma FyfeJames H. Gallian—to—Flora G. GulickJoseph A. Haddox—to—Frances HughesJosephine Ice—to—Abe IssacMary Jackman—to—William R. JoyceAlbert Kaeling—to—Lillian KuhnMinnie Mayme Lacy—to—Lena B. LydaAlbert McBride—to—Ernestine Myers Dancing AcademyAgnes Nairn—to—North Baltimore Bottle Glass CompanyHarry E. Oaf—to—James OslerMabel P. Paine—to—Arvella PushbackThe Quality Shop—to—Jacob RyanSt. Joseph's Academy—to—Marcella SwimElmer E. Talbott—to—Alice TwadellJacob Umble—to—Alm UtzOhmer D. Vance—to—Robert T. VrydaghClarence W. Wagner—to—John WrightIvan Yates—to—George A. ZwernerIndex