Sid Shroyer wanted to write about his father’s hometown of Somerset, Indiana. It is a town that is no longer there in its original location. “I wanted to tell my grandson about my father. They shared the same first name, Vern.”
The memories and information were meant to be part of a letter to young Vern, who is nearly 5. Six months later, the letter was obviously a book in the making.
The message delivered is about family, community and home.
“When Once Destroyed: A Historical Memoir of the Life and Death of a Small Town” is the story of a town in Wabash County, Indiana, that was erased with the damming of the Mississinewa River, which was meant to create a recreational lake. The cause later became flood control for Peru, Indiana.
The book was published by Wise Ink Creative Publishing. Visit Sid’s website, sidshroyer.com, for more information, interviews, methods of purchasing and photos. Sid calls the book a “narrative, non-fiction, historical memoir.”
He has been doing presentations and book talks. Taking calls and getting press. Locally, he will be at Historic New Carlisle, 112 E. Michigan St., New Carlisle, at 7 p.m. June 18.
According to Sid, the story details what happened from the 1930s to the 1950s. It was mostly a farm community with a few businesses. There were a few hints of what was approaching but little discussion. The Upper Wabash Valley Flood Control Project promoted the reservoir. The Army Corps of Engineers implemented it.
The little town was moved up a hill about a mile. Seven houses and one church were moved. Many residents simply moved away. The town’s residents were told there would be economic development.
Somerset did not get much out of this. In the 1950s, there were about 250 residents. According to the 2020 census, there are 385 residents. New Somerset has a strip mall and a gas station. “It never became another Indiana Beach,” Sid said.
The town Sid knew is now just a few old foundations and abandoned roads. “It was a town of farmhouses. The people weren’t rich, but they were comfortable.”
For more background, Sid is well known for his work on WVPE-FM (88.1). He was the local host of “All Things Considered” until 2022. He still contributes to Michiana Chronicles, a Friday feature about life in these parts. He also taught English at New Prairie High School. He developed classes on the literature of the Vietnam War and the Holocaust.
Sid used detective and interview skills along with general research to unearth the story. He talked to family and residents. He learned more about his father and the community. “My father grew up in Somerset. After the war, he tried farming. Later, he moved to Marion and worked in a factory.”
In high school, his father played basketball in a small high school that was reminiscent of ‘Hoosiers,” Sid said. “He was a quiet man and he taught me a great deal about principles, country, community and truth. That actions spoke louder than words.”
The plan to move the town was accomplished with little communication with the residents. “By 1955, it was a done deal.” There were a lot of secrets, according to Sid. Lots of decision making without input. The project was completed in 1969. It is now Mississinewa Lake.
It was the last reservoir project of its kind by the Army Corps. The engineers are more likely now to work on improving the flood plains.
“It was a loss of family, a loss of friends, loss of community,” Sid said. “It was a loss of a way of life.”
A sad end to a little town.
“Once a month I have breakfast with New Prairie teachers and the conversation turns to data centers,” Sid said. “The teachers say that my book has a connection to what New Carlisle is going through.”
He added that New Carlisle has more ways to communicate and get the word out about projects and changes. More people are aware.
Sid said he thinks the book has a message and connects with what is happening today. “I like the book and what it says. It isn’t all about me, so that makes it easier to talk about. It has significance for today.”
Update on Saint Mary’s Academy
A side note: Mark Sandock added a bit of history to the Saint Mary’s Academy story. Remember a few weeks ago, the column was about the reunion for last class from the Catholic high school.
Mark said in an email that the Hebrew Day School needed more room. There were classes from kindergarten to eighth grade. The school leased the academy property for five years.
“Retired sisters continued to live in a convent on the property for a while. What a treat it was to see the sisters come to the Jewish students’ class plays. The vision still makes my heart glad. In short, this represents the very best of two major religions coming together in mutual respect and gaining the use of a property.”
Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: What happened to Somerset, Indiana? New book recounts its relocation.
Reporting by Kathy Borlik, Columnist / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
