HISTORIC BOXLEY CABIN RESTORED AND DEDICATED
By Brenda Bush & SheridanNews Staff

SHERIDAN, IN - On April 24th, more than 300 people gathered on Pioneer Hill at Veteran's Park to dedicate the restored log cabin of Sheridan's first pioneer settler, George Boxley.

Boxley, a Virginia-born abolitionist, was a person of unique significance to Indiana's early history. He settled on the knoll in 1828 after evading bounty hunters for 12 years, following his escape from the Spotsylvania County jail in 1816, where he was imprisoned for allegedly inciting a sabotaged slave rebellion. Boxley's son Caswell later built a large prestigious home near the cabin in 1878, and the town of Sheridan eventually grew up around his frontier farm as its residents embraced him as both friend and schoolteacher.

Famed jazz musician, John Stafford, a Sheridan native who grew up in the historic Boxley home, returned to perform for the special event. Stafford gathered band members and played patriotic tunes as people arrived for festivities. He and his brother Jim and others in the Sheridan community once used the cabin behind the home as a clubhouse.

Sarah Tanselle, Sheridan High School, performed a solo drum tribute to George Boxley, setting the mood for the event and underscoring the intent to recognize him—and his family--for their sacrifices.

Members of the Sheridan Historical Society and Town of Sheridan cut a long red ribbon to open the cabin to visitors. Cabin interiors were donated and loaned by Conner Prairie and Fall Creek Questers #758 unveiled the gold and black historical marker which was installed down the hill near street level. A granite fieldstone has been carved to showcase an embedded tribute plaque featuring names of contributors and grantmakers who donated more than $120,000 to save the cabin.

The preserved cabin, now on the National Register of Historic Places, was a result of four years of hard work and collaboration between the Sheridan Historical Society and the Town of Sheridan. Completion of Boxley Cabin restoration represents the first step in the development of a larger heritage tourism complex. The Society continues to collaborate in conducting studies to assess economic strategies for funding the build-out and exhibit assessments to assess the appeal of museum collections that feature one-of-a-kind artifacts. The complex would include a Boxley visitor center, new museum and multi-purpose center. For more information or to make donations, visit the site of the Sheridan Historical Society.

 Published by Dale Robbins. © Copyright SheridanNews.Net. Send comments to the .