Kendallville in Noble County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Arthur Franklin Mapes

1913-1986

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

1. Arthur Franklin Mapes Marker, Side One

Inscription. Acclaimed poet Arthur Franklin Mapes was born in Kendallville. A lifelong resident of the city, he worked as a machinist for Flint & Walling for over 30 years, penning poetry in his free time. Written in accessible and rhythmic prose, his poems portrayed the beauty of Indiana's landscape. They evoked nostalgia for Hoosier traditions during 20th century modernization.

Mapes received national recognition for his depictions of midwestern identity and culture. Three of his poems were printed in the U.S. Congressional Record. In 1963, the Indiana General Assembly adopted his work “Indiana” as the official state poem and, in 1977. named Mapes as State Poet Laureate. He later published a volume of collected poems titled Indiana Memories.

Erected 2025 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Flint & Walling, Inc. • Kendallville Park and Recreation Department • The Mapes Family.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 41° 25.879′ N, 85° 15.242′ W. Marker is in Kendallville, Indiana, in Noble County. It is at the intersection of Sherman Street

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and Indiana Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Sherman Street. Marker is at the south entrance to Bixler Lake Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kendallville IN 46755, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and in Greater Fort Wayne.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Arthur F. Mapes 1913-1986 (here, next to this marker); Camp Mitchell (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sawyer/Old Kendallville Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Lakeview Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Civil War Memorial Cannon (approx. 1.9 miles away); Gene Stratton-Porter (approx. 5.8 miles away); Memorial To Jacob And Sarah Ober Brechbill (approx. 6.7 miles away); Orin Clark House (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kendallville.

Also see . . .
1. Arthur Franklin Mapes. Wikipedia entry on the Indiana poet laureate. (Submitted on November 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Indiana State Poem. The full text of Mapes' poem "Indiana" is included in the state legislation proclaiming it Indiana's official state poem. (Indiana Historical Bureau) (Submitted on November 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Arthur Franklin Mapes Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

2. Arthur Franklin Mapes Marker, Side Two

Arthur Franklin Mapes Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

3. Arthur Franklin Mapes Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.