Merom in Sullivan County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Merom Bluff Chautauqua, 1905-1936

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2023

1. Merom Bluff Chautauqua, 1905-1936 Marker

Inscription. Organized nationally to bring culture to rural communities, Merom's 10 day religious and educational event featured concerts, debates, plays, and lectures. Carrie Nation, William Jennings Bryan, William H. Taft, Warren Harding, and Billy Sunday were among the speakers here.

Erected 1989 by The Merom Improvement Association. (Marker Number 77.1989.2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 39° 3.416′ N, 87° 34.208′ W. Marker is in Merom, Indiana, in Sullivan County. It is on West Market Street 0.1 miles west of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Bluff Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2008 2nd St, Merom IN 47861, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Merom Founded 1817 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Merom Conference Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wea Indian Trail (approx. 4.2 miles away); Fort LaMotte (approx. 4.3 miles away in Illinois); United States Land Office (approx. 4.4 miles away in Illinois);

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Houston-Dickson Store (approx. 4.4 miles away in Illinois); Old Christian Church (approx. 4.4 miles away in Illinois); Cullom Homestead (approx. 4.4 miles away in Illinois). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merom.

Regarding Merom Bluff Chautauqua, 1905-1936. The event was revived in 1966 and has been held every year since then.

Also see . . .
1. Our History. Every year thousands of people gather in the beautiful surroundings, amid the perfect influences of nature and enjoy the best literature, oratory and music, and intellectual and religious culture. (Merom Bluff Chautauqua) (Submitted on June 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The Chautauqua Movement. “Chautauqua” is an Iroquois word with multiple meanings, including “a bag tied in the middle” or “two moccasins tied together.” The word describes the shape of Chautauqua Lake, located in southwest New York, which was the setting for the Chautauqua Institution, the first educational assembly in what became a significant movement at the turn of the 20th Century. (Colorado Chautauqua) (Submitted on June 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. The Merom Bluff Chautauqua (PDF). The citizens of Merom, Indiana, and vicinity

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2023

2. Merom Bluff Chautauqua, 1905-1936 Marker

realizing that a Chautauqua would fill a need in the community which no other organization could fill, formed an association in 1905. (James W. Conlin, Indiana Magazine of History (March 1, 1940) via Indiana University Scholarworks) (Submitted on June 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Merom Bluff Chautauqua Program image. Click for full size.

via Indiana Memory (Public Domain), August 1, 1912

3. Merom Bluff Chautauqua Program

Cover page of the program for the 8th Annual Merom Bluff Chautauqua, which took place August 15-25, 1912. Speakers that year included labor leader John Mitchell, Nebraska Gov. Ashton C. Shallenberger, and Rep. Victor L. Berger of Wisconsin, the first Socialist member of Congress.

Merom Bluff Chautauqua camp image. Click for full size.

via Indiana Memory (Public Domain), June 19, 2023

4. Merom Bluff Chautauqua camp

Photograph of a previous Chautauqua from the program for the 1912 session.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 454 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.