History in Your Own Backyard

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History in Your Own Backyard

History in Your Own Backyard is a clearinghouse of information on unusual historic sites in the midwest.

08/02/2025

*New Video*

Why did Andrew Carnegie fund thousands of libraries around the world?

In this video we cover the history of why Andrew Carnegie funded over 2500 libraries worldwide and the story behind the historic Carnegie Library in Delaware, Ohio. The video link is in the comments below.

07/31/2025

Got a question....

This survey tower was used by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1927-1984. Basically the tower was designed to elevate surveyors high enough to look over obstructions and to account for the curvature of the Earth in their calculations. A dozen of these towers were originally manufactured. Only one still survives in Indiana. Can you tell me what town this tower is located in? A video about these historic towers is in the comments below.

07/30/2025

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Is there anyone still alive who has driven over what is now this abandoned bridge in Dearborn County, Indiana? If so, let me know. A video about the bridge is in the comments below.

07/29/2025

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Is there anyone still alive who remembers driving over this historic stone arch bridge in Ripley County, Indiana? If so, please contact me. A video about the bridge is in the comments below.

07/28/2025

Abandoned Point Leavell Railroad Tunnel, Hyattsville, Kentucky

A video about the tunnel is in the comments below.

Point Leavell was a station on the Rowland Branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, which operated from 1868 to 1934. The branch extended from Fort Estill just south of Richmond, Kentucky, to Lancaster, Rowland, and Stanford. The branch was also known as the Old Henry, named for Henry Lammers, one of the engineers. There were several short tunnels on the branch, including this one east of Hyattsville.

After the rail line and tunnel was abandoned it was converted over to automobile traffic and used until the early 2000s when Route 52 was constructed. It’s reported that the tunnel was built by Irish immigrants who picked and blasted through the solid limestone on both ends until they met in the middle. The 490 foot long tunnel was also used by the locals for shelter during severe storms and tornadoes.

Today the tunnel is hidden in plain site just off of “Old Railroad Grade Road.

GPS Location: 37º35'40.2"N 84º29'39.4"W

07/27/2025

*New Video*

Abandoned Georgia Bridge and Bullet Holes

Built around 1920 by the Champion Bridge Company based in Ohio, this bridge was bypassed in 1991 when the current bridge was built. A concrete memorial stands at one end of the new bridge with a plaque naming the county commissioners, county administrator and road engineer at the time the bridge was constructed. Unfortunately, the plaque is riddled with bullet holes! Did you drive over this narrow bridge when it was still open? If so, let me know. A video featuring the bridge is in the comments below.

07/26/2025

Got a question...

This abandoned bridge sits about 5 miles south of Miamitown, Ohio along State Route 128. Does anybody out there remember driving over this bridge before Route 128 was realigned? A video about the bridge is in the comments below.

07/25/2025

Located in Troy, Ohio and built in 1837 as part of the Miami & Erie Canal, this twin arch stone culvert is about 96 feet long. It carried water from the Howell Ditch under the Miami & Erie Canal into the Great Miami River. A video about this canal culvert is in the comments below.

07/24/2025

Built in 1924, the Dayton High School in Dayton Kentucky was once home to one of the most talented basketball coaches in history, John Wooden. Today the school has been turned into apartments but still retains much of the original high school decor. A video about the history of the school is in the comments below.

07/23/2025

Abandoned Railroad Bridge in Northeastern, Ohio. A video about the bridge is in the comments below.

07/22/2025

Only 3 former one room school houses still exist in Miami Township, Hamilton County, Ohio. Do you know where they are located??? A video with their locations is in the comments below.

07/21/2025

*New Video*

I’ve visited hundreds of bridges over the years but the North Fork Coal Creek Bridge in Indiana has what I consider the perfect location...at least for me. If you’re looking for solitude with a great view, this is your place. A video on the bridge is in the comments below.

Address

23632 Gutzwiller Road
Sunman, IN
47041

Telephone

+18126235727

Website

http://www.historyinyourownbackyard.com/

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