Friday, January 23, 2009
An old buddy, Andy Pritchard, has been following the Ropkey House story along with Mark Montieth and several hundred Pike High School grads. They have compiled a short list of memories from growing up in the area:
1. “I remember seeing the tanks and airplanes in the backyard from the interstate, but I didn’t realize there was so much history behind the place.”
2. “Sally Vogel and Steve Kent used to ride Mr. Ropkey’s horse around the neighborhood.”
3. There was a gravel pit pond behind the house that was dug out when 465 was expanded and the county needed dirt to build up the overpass for 79th St. to cross the interstate.
4. A half-submerged single-person submarine was stuck in the pond. Mr. Ropkey had bought it from the government and hauled it to his property. He tried to drive it in the pond, but it sank.
5. A small arsenal of tanks, howitzers and other military equipment was scattered around the backyard.
6. There’s also a report of a NASA Gemini space capsule in the pond. All the toys have been moved to somewhere near Crawfordsville.
7. His tanks were used in the movies “1941” and “Tank.’
8. More than 500 working antique clocks could be found inside the home, as well as other fine furnishings.
9. Dave Todd, who provided landscaping around the home in the 1970s, recalls that Mr. Ropkey popped a champagne cork at his 80th birthday party and put out his eye. (His own eye, not Dave’s.)
Note: The Ropkey Museum is located in Crawfordsville and is open to the public.
1. “I remember seeing the tanks and airplanes in the backyard from the interstate, but I didn’t realize there was so much history behind the place.”
2. “Sally Vogel and Steve Kent used to ride Mr. Ropkey’s horse around the neighborhood.”
3. There was a gravel pit pond behind the house that was dug out when 465 was expanded and the county needed dirt to build up the overpass for 79th St. to cross the interstate.
4. A half-submerged single-person submarine was stuck in the pond. Mr. Ropkey had bought it from the government and hauled it to his property. He tried to drive it in the pond, but it sank.
5. A small arsenal of tanks, howitzers and other military equipment was scattered around the backyard.
6. There’s also a report of a NASA Gemini space capsule in the pond. All the toys have been moved to somewhere near Crawfordsville.
7. His tanks were used in the movies “1941” and “Tank.’
8. More than 500 working antique clocks could be found inside the home, as well as other fine furnishings.
9. Dave Todd, who provided landscaping around the home in the 1970s, recalls that Mr. Ropkey popped a champagne cork at his 80th birthday party and put out his eye. (His own eye, not Dave’s.)
Note: The Ropkey Museum is located in Crawfordsville and is open to the public.
Historic Traders Point Indiana 