are given.” Bloomington was strict in its approach to dealing with the pandemic. The State Board of Health issued“ suggestions” for avoiding the flu. By October 11 of 1918 the Indianapolis Board of Health banned public gatherings of all descriptions to be enforced by the police
I find no mention of orders like that for Brown County. It appears that the local folks just went about their business of doing what needed to be done.
After a decade of jazz music and flappers, Brown County and the rest of the world was forced to deal with the Great Depression of the 1930s. Although, I have talked to some of the older folks who said the county was so poor they didn’ t know there was a depression until they read about it in the newspapers.
People hardly had a chance to get past the 1930s before World War II broke out. After that it was Korea and then the war in Vietnam. By the late 1960s Brown County started being invaded by hippies( many are still here).
The moral of this( hi) story is that Brown County is still here.
The hills are still here, the park is still here, Nashville is still here, and the people are still here. Brown County is more than a geographical location— it is a state of mind. It is the state of mind of the people working the land, the artists and craftspeople, the shopkeepers, and all the folks who do what they do to keep life simple and meaningful.
It is that rare combination of place and the resilience of the people who inhabit it that makes Brown County a haven from much of the adversity of the outside world. We’ re happy to share some of that special feeling.
We can’ t stay indoors indefinitely and we don’ t want to shut out our friends. We’ re happy to see you, to have you hike the trails, fish the lakes, and visit the shops in Nashville; but in these confusing and difficult times please be respectful. Wear a mask in public and give folks lots of personal space.
The course of history is like a long winding Brown County road, you never know what you’ ll find around the next curve or over the next hill. We’ ve made it through a lot of adversity in our long history and we’ ll make it through this. •
BACKCOUNTRY continued from 45 ponds. The ponds are what I call“ backcountry jewels” since they are rare, have high value to wildlife, and can require some time to discover.
Brown County backcountry is daunting, extremely rugged, and defined by deep ravines and narrow ridges that look very similar. Venturing out into backcountry is a serious endeavor and shouldn’ t be taken lightly. Research and preparation are recommended. Phone apps can now pinpoint your travel, show you a route in and out, and replace the trusty topo map.“ Hike with a Friend” is still the backcountry hiker’ s mantra. Thankful that these Brown County jewels exist, I’ ll eagerly plan my backcountry hikes with the hopes of finding another wildlife pond. •
July / August 2020 • Our Brown County 55