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A Look Back at 2007 and a Look Forward at 2008

Noble County's second biggest city experienced positive changes in 2007 and officials are hoping for even more good things in 2008.

City officials are already working on the 2010 U.S. Census, with programs under way to verify addresses and other information. This preliminary work, started in 2007 and continuing in the years ahead, hopefully will lead to a even more accurate count for Ligonier in 2010.

The 2000 U.S. census set the city's population at just about 4,400. The new census could push the city to close to 6,000, according to some hopeful estimates.

There was significant change in the city government in 2007 as a new mayor Patty Fisel and clerk-treasurer Norma Brady took office on Jan. 1 of this year. Fisel is the city's first woman mayor.

A new wave of volunteerism took hold in 2007 in Ligonier, helped in part by Operation Foundation's Restoration Week. Hundreds of volunteers logged thousands of hours working in all parts of the city. They fixed up homes and businesses, spruced up parks and helped put a fresh new face on the community. Organizers are working to make this faith-based initiative an annual event.

A new mural program, which will change drab, ordinary walls in the city to colorful works of art, was started in 2007 and also will continue in 2008. The Future Ligonier Alliance is the guiding force behind this and other changes in the city, including new "Welcome To Ligonier" banners that will be placed in the downtown area in 2008.

Tourism continues to be an asset for Ligonier, and for anyone wanting to get a feel for the history of Ligonier, all it takes is time to visit several top-notch attractions that showcase the city.

First stop should be the Ligonier Visitors Center, housed in a 1920s filling station at the stoplight on the corner of S.R. 5 (Lincolnway South) and West Union Street. There you can visit the Indiana Historic Radio Museum which has a collection of over 400 radios, telegraphs and microphones.

Just one block west of S.R. 5 is Ligonier's beautiful tree-lined main street. There you will find lovely three-story homes as well as the Ligonier Historical Museum, the city's Carnegie Library and Gazebo Park.

The Ligonier Historical Museum was built in the late 1800s as a Jewish Temple and features beautiful stain-glass windows. The museum is home to more than 1,000 artifacts relating to the city¹s past. It is operated by volunteers and is a treasure to the city's residents.

On Lincolnway West is "This Ole House," a memories museum that is filled with memorabilia from one family's treasures. It's part of the Fashion Farm complex which includes a restaurant.

Travel south of Ligonier on S.R. 5 and US 33 to find Stone's Trace museum, house and tavern. Hours are Sunday afternoon or by appointment.

On West Union Street, five blocks from the visitor center is the 40-acre G. Martin Kenney Park which includes the beautiful Jennie Thompson Memorial Gardens, a one-mile walking path, lighted ball diamonds, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, children¹s play area and picnic pavilions.

The visitor center offers guides of the city for tour buses or any group of 10 or more. Call toll free 1-888-415-3562 for information.