Located in beautiful downtown Jamestown on State Road 136 is where you will find Baire’s 🍔 Burgers. It is a brand new (opened September 30) To Go only burger joint with the “Best Burger On Wheels.”
Jamestown is the hometown of Herman B Wells, former Indiana University president and educator. As well as the info stated on the historical marker, he was also the president of IU in 1947 when Bill Garrett of Shelbyville was Mr. Basketball and became the first African-American basketball player in the Big Ten for IU. Along with Coach Branch McCracken, Wells was a key player in making that happen.
Around the mid 1980s I went to an IU football game with then Student Trustee Tom Haley and Tim Durham. After the game Tom took us to a party at the president’s house on campus. As we were walking in Dr. Joe Black (IU Trustee) pulled up the the front of the house. ( I also mowed Dr. Black’s yard for five years growing up.)
As Dr. Black walked toward the house he stated to us, “The bar is open boys. Let’s go.”
During our stay at the party Tom introduced me to Herman B Wells. (At the time I really had no idea who he was.) He sat in a chair with a red cardigan sweater and a cane across his lap. He was quite personable and had plenty of time for our conversation.
On a side note, I have also met Bill Garrett. He was a high school friend of my Dad’s (Walt Wintin and came by the house for a visit back in the early 1970s. He was tall and lean and looked like he could still play 🏀. He was a gentleman and my Dad had tremendous respect for him. He also has a historical marker on the IU campus and has a building named after him as he was a great athlete and a better person during a volatile time in our country. Dad attended Bill’s wedding in Madison, Indiana to Betty Innskeep. He said that there were three white people at the wedding. Himself and Mr. and Mrs. Branch McCracken.
Thank you for attending Indiana History 101.
Walt’s Diner 