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Greenfield in Hancock County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Birthplace, James Whitcomb Riley

“The Hoosier Poet”

— October 7, 1849 – July 22, 1916 —

 
 
James Whitcomb Riley Marker - post-refurbishment image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Lugnuts, December 8, 2018
1. James Whitcomb Riley Marker - post-refurbishment
The marker has been refreshed/repainted since the original photo was placed.
Inscription.
Birthplace
James Whitcomb Riley
“The Hoosier Poet”
October 7, 1849–July 22, 1916

Editor, author, poet, lecturer and entertainer. One of the best known Hoosiers of all time, Riley first wrote under the name "Benj. F. Johnson of Boone" and was famous for his use of the Hoosier dialect.
 
Erected 1966 by Indiana Sesquicentennial Commission. (Marker Number 30.1967.1.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicEntertainment. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1801.
 
Location. 39° 47.106′ N, 85° 46.408′ W. Marker is in Greenfield, Indiana, in Hancock County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 40) west of Pennsylvania Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 West Main Street, Greenfield IN 46140, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Old Hancock County Seminary (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); John William “Will” Vawter (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Barefoot Boy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Frost (R.F.) Dagget (1875-1955) (approx. 0.2 miles
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away); John Henry Felt (approx. 0.2 miles away); George William Gordon (1872-1935) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis H. Gibson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenfield.
 
More about this marker. Marker is in front of the house. Next door is the Riley Museum.
 
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
 
Also see . . .  Biography. from The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. (Submitted on April 19, 2006.) 
 
James Whitcomb Riley Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2006
2. James Whitcomb Riley Marker
Birthplace of James Whitcomb Riley image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2006
3. Birthplace of James Whitcomb Riley
The Riley Museum, Next Door image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 9, 2006
4. The Riley Museum, Next Door
James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Moffett, Chicago (pd)
5. James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)
James Whitcomb Riley Selfie Op image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Lugnuts, November 19, 2018
6. James Whitcomb Riley Selfie Op
This statue has been added since the marker was originally posted here.
The Jaybird image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Lugnuts, November 19, 2018
7. The Jaybird
The Jaybird he’s my favorite
        Of all the birds they is!
I think he’s quite a stylish sight
        In the blue suit of his:
An’ when he ’lights an’ shuts his wings,
        His coat’s a “cutaway”—
I guess it’s only when he sings
        You’d know he wuz a jay.

I like to watch him when he’s lit
        In top of any tree,
’Cause all birds git wite out of it
        When he ’lights, an’ they see
How proud he act’, an’ swell an’ spread
        His chest out more an’ more,
An’ raise the feathers on his head
        Like it’s cut pompadore!
                —James Whitcomb Riley
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,328 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on January 1, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. It was the Marker of the Week January 8, 2023. Photos:   1. submitted on December 4, 2018, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin.   2, 3, 4. submitted on April 19, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.   5. submitted on January 3, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.   6, 7. submitted on December 4, 2018, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 18, 2024