Legendary Locals of Auburn

Sweet Auburn! The loveliest village of the plain. This line from an Oliver Goldsmith poem is believed to have inspired the naming of Auburn, Indiana.

Known as “The Home of the Classics” in honor of the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles built by citizens of the city from the early 1900s through 1937, this classic theme runs deep within the people who shaped the very fabric of the community. These locals–like Martha “the Popcorn Lady” Falka, Glenn T. Rieke, Charles Eckhart, William McIntosh, Dr. Bonnell Souder, Irene Bisel, Rollie Muhn, John Martin Smith, and others–dedicated themselves to “Auburn Forever with Honest Endeavor.” They advanced a legacy first envisioned for the “loveliest village of the plain” and nurtured its vibrant heritage. Legendary Locals of Auburn explores the stories of these men and women and offers an insightful look into Auburn’s remarkable contributions to American culture.

Chad Gamling is a Christ-focused writer and historian who’s continually “refining life, on purpose.” At 1Glories.com, he regularly writes about how he’s listening up and the ways God is leading him in a quest Chad began while striving toward greater discipleship and a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. As he lives, learns, and grows — refining life, on purpose — he invites others to connect and share in the journey.