Vesper Cook, "The Brownell Block and Senger Dry Goods Company" paper
Collection — Folder: S2885
Identifier: S2885
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of a typed history of the Brownell block of Peru, Indiana written by Vesper Cook, dated 1982, with a focus on the Senger Dry Goods Company. Senger was responsible for the last major transformation of the block. The first three pages of this history describe initial construction of the two commercial buildings of the Brownell block under C.H. Brownell, President of Citizens’ National Bank, and Charles Spencer, who let out the contract on the adjoining building. The history gives detailed information on early tenants of both buildings and a detailed description of the psychical features of the store. Staff members, including department heads, are named. The history of this store, which closed on March 16, 1978, concludes with an extensive bibliography of diverse sources, including will, maps, and interviews.
Dates
- 1982
Creator
- Cook, Vesper, 1917-1996 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Dorothy Vesper Wilkinson was born on June 21, 1917 in Peru, Indiana, to John Elmer and Mary Belle (Stickle) Wilkinson. She went by Vesper for most of her adult life. She married Horace Dean Cook on June 27, 1965. Vesper Cook was the county historian of Miami County and a curator of museums in Peru in 1982. She wrote local histories on historic sites (commercial and residential) and city districts. She has also studied the genealogy of the Peru, Indiana area. Cook died on July 18, 1996, and is buried in Peru, Indiana.
Sources:
FamilySearch. “Dorothy Vesper Wilkinson.” United States Census, 1930. Accessed Augsut 23, 2024. http://www.familysearch.org.
Sources:
FamilySearch. “Dorothy Vesper Wilkinson.” United States Census, 1930. Accessed Augsut 23, 2024. http://www.familysearch.org.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of only one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation by Vesper Cook in 1982.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed 1998/09/29 by Philip N. Williams. EAD finding aid created 2024/08/23 by A.J. Chrapliwy.
Creator
- Cook, Vesper, 1917-1996 (Person)
- Title
- Vesper Cook, "The Brownell Block and Senger Dry Goods Company" paper
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
