Nappanee in Elkhart County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Nappanee Cartoonists

Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 22, 2010

1. Nappanee Cartoonists Marker

Inscription. (Side one):
Merrill Blosser was first Nappanee artist to gain national recognition as a professional cartoonist. Freckles and His Friends, his most popular cartoon, ran from 1915 to 1973, syndicated by Newspaper Enterprise Association. In 1965, National Cartoonists Society honored Blosser on fiftieth year of Freckles and its "wholesome entertainment".

(Side two):
Five other Nappanee artists became nationally recognized cartoonists. Henry Maust and Francis "Mike" Parks drew newspaper editorial cartoons; Bill Holman's best was Smokey Stover (1935-1973); Fred Neher's Life's Like That ran 1934-1977; Max Gwin drew Slim and Spud for Prairie Farmer 1955-1991. Town, training, and careers connected these artists.

Erected 2005 by Indiana Historical Bureau, City of Nappanee, Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission, Nappanee Public Library, Elkhart County Historical Society, Nappanee "Smokey Stovers" Fire Department, Mayor Larry and Linda Thompson, E. Newcomer and Son Jewelers. (Marker Number 20.2005.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location.

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41° 26.6′ N, 86° 0.071′ W. Marker is in Nappanee, Indiana, in Elkhart County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (State Road 19) and Walnut Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is located on sidewalk next to Nappanee Public Library, approximately 1 block north from the intersection of US Highway 6 and SR Indiana 19. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nappanee IN 46550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Nappanee World Wars Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nappanee Furniture (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stahly - Nissley - Kuhns Farm (approx. one mile away); Bull Cemetery (approx. 4.7 miles away); Brumbaugh Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away); Sandridge Cemetery (approx. 7.7 miles away); In honor of the World War Veterans of this community (approx. 8.4 miles away); Milford World Wars Honor Roll (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nappanee.

Also see . . . Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB). The IHB provides reference notes on the text of this marker. (Submitted on February 6, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 22, 2010

2. Nappanee Cartoonists Marker

Photographed By Dave Zollinger, May 22, 2010

3. Nappanee Cartoonists Marker

View of marker looking SE from intersection of SR Indiana 19 and Walnut Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2010, by Dave Zollinger of Goshen, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,152 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2010, by Dave Zollinger of Goshen, Indiana. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.