As I was doing the reporting for this issue of Current in Fishers, sitting down and looking at old photographs of Fishers, I realized something. And it should have been obvious.
The people I talk to during the business week, whether they’re small business owners, concerned residents, or staff members with the Town of Fishers, are all history makers.
Specifically, holding a picture of the old municipal building in my hand is one of the most revealing pieces evidencing that fact that I’ve seen. The building now holds Gallery 116. If you’re not familiar with the shop, it’s pretty much across the street from the town’s current municipal complex.
That’s not even the big shock or surprise.
The photo, courtesy of Fritz Kreutzinger of the car dealership Fritz in Fishers, was taken circa 1990. Now, anyone could have guessed that was around when the picture was taken, considering the condition of the photo and type of paper it’s printed on. In fact, I felt silly thinking that the picture could have been taken in the 1950s.
For a little extra perspective: Kreutzinger even shared with me a bill from an old gas station on 116th Street. It’s dated Sept. 30, 1948.
The name on the invoice from the Crystal Flash Petroleum Corporation is Nilo Booth. It would appear Booth was involved in a transaction for some gasoline. He bought $12.16 worth of one type of gasoline. Twelve bucks got the guy 760 gallons of the stuff. Another $25.22 bought him 970 gallons of “Super Flash,” which Kreutzinger says must have been the premium brand.
However, the picture of the municipal building is just a testament to how much Fishers has grown since that picture was taken. Monstrous schools, like Hamilton Southeastern High School, have expanded.
New businesses sprouted downtown, some locally owned, some not.
As events unfold today, everyone in Fishers should know that they are writing history. The Fishers of tomorrow may not look anything like the Fishers of today.