Our Town Our Town: Pictured: Sherman Minton’s birthplace and boyhood home, located at 9172 State Road 64 in Georgetown. Georgetown, <strong>Indiana</strong> July/Aug <strong>2016</strong> • 20 Story by Nicholas Moore Photos by Michelle Hockman
Georgetown typifes small-town southern <strong>Indiana</strong>, with friendly people, rolling farmland, great small dining spots, and wonderful gems of culture and history that not only bring its heritage to life, but make it a dynamic, fascinating, and exciting place to be and experience. Georgetown - founded in the 1830’s by George Walt, for whom the town is named - boasts a population of just over 3,000 and runs along State Road 64 ten miles east of New Albany. It’s a peaceful place. Driving through the town, it is clear many of the homes have seen their share of generations within their walls, each with a story to tell. In 2011, approximately 50 acres of central Georgetown was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is now the ofcial Georgetown Historic District. Siting unassumingly at 9150 Main Street, across from Donut Frenzy, is the Wolfe Hotel. The hotel was built in 1835 by David and Mary Wolfe and is one of the oldest buildings in Georgetown. It was the frst hotel built on the then Whiskey Run Road. The hotel was in operation until the 1950’s, when President Harry Truman was one of its guests, and is currently the subject of a redevelopment project by John Beams, Georgetown resident, owner and development manager of America First Services. His family loves historic buildings and purchased the property at auction 25 years ago. Beams hopes to see the development of the property contribute to making Georgetown a tourist destination. “Our family would like the Wolfe to be a part of an Historic Town Center, including other residences and the Old Town Hall . . . a tourist atraction of artists, shops, bed and breakfasts, and senior housing,” he said, adding that developing the property would not only maintain the town’s heritage, but could add tax revenue as the town grows. The Georgetown Bank building has also been the subject of restoration eforts. It was the town’s frst bank, opening in 1909. In the late 1950’s it became Union National Bank of New Albany, and eventually the building became the Town Hall. In 1992 the town council restored and expanded the building, however structural issues and other problems led the town council to move out of the building in 2009. In 2014 there was discussion of demolishing the old town hall, however community members and a newly elected town council had another idea. In 2015, <strong>Indiana</strong> Landmarks assisted Georgetown Main Street Development Group in securing a $10,000 grant from the <strong>Indiana</strong> Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology, which was matched with $10,000 from the town, to put a new roof on the structure. Further development eforts are on pause, but will likely be aided by a $40,000 grant from the <strong>Indiana</strong> Ofce of Community and Rural Afairs to forge a downtown master plan. “Options discussed are selling it to a sympathetic buyer who will restore (the building), retaining and leasing to someone who will complete rehabilitation for a commercial use, or retaining for expanded town hall use and functions,” explains Greg Sekula, southern regional director for <strong>Indiana</strong> Landmarks. In addition to its Historic District, there are many other enjoyable destinations. Polly’s Freeze is easily recognizable along S.R. 64 by its bright neon sign depicting a colorful toucan. Founded by Elmer and Pauline “Polly” Gleit in 1952, Polly’s ofers delicious, timeless eats such as its family recipe barbecue, upside down banana splits, Pollyburgers, and rotating favors of homemade soft serve ice creams and sherbets. Geofrey McNulty, a frefghter with the Georgetown Fire Department says people come from all over the region every summer. “It’s busy nearly every night, but especially on the weekends, and especially after ball games.” Polly’s has kept its classic exterior, with outdoor tables for guests as well as a covered porch. On busy nights when the parking lot flls up, fans resort to parking alongside the road just to experience it. “Polly’s Freeze is a throwback to a simpler time,” says current owner, Carol Boyle, “Where families come together to get their favorite food and ice cream treats, sit outside and spend time with each other. We are defnitely a destination, a great place for celebrating even the smallest occasion and a place out of the ordinary.” On the other end of S.R. 64 is A.J.’s Gyros, another Georgetown foodie-destination, selling the traditional Greek gyro - meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and wrapped in a pita. At A.J.’s, you can get your gyro with lamb and beef; beef, bacon and hummus, or feta cheese and olives, along with signature Greek tatiki sauce and diced tomatoes. Owner Alison Hanover knows what Pictured: (left) Te Wolfe Hotel, built in 1935, was operated until the 1950s. (above) Te Georgetown Bank building, frst opened in 1905, and has also served as the town hall. July/Aug <strong>2016</strong> • 21
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