Hazelgreen. Think about it! What a great name for a town! Kind of exudes the colors of Spring and Summertime. A peaceful place.

   Ok, so where is Hazelgreen? Well, I guess it really isn't anymore. It was the first settlement in the 1820's of what Riley is now, consisting of about a dozen pioneer homes. Hazelgreen as I understand was just slightly to the south of where Riley is now, just south of the railroad on the east side of Louisville Road,  and with the advent of the Wabash & Erie Canal, Lockport appeared a little to the north and Hazelgreen disappeared. The name was again changed to Riley, because of some postal confusion with a couple other Lockports in Indiana. I believe the name was after a businessman and not the hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, or William Bendix.

   The Wabash and Erie Canal which runs along the east edge of Riley, proved an economic boon to the community in the middle of the 19th century. Lockport was a very busy village with the shipping of grain and livestock. Riley residents used to charter canal boats to come to dances at Terre Haute.

   There was once a tannery on the grounds just west of the Riley United Methodist Church. Historians report there were once seven saloons in Riley, (my goodness!!) now there are none in the town limits. There are no hotels now either, there were once four, where in some of them it is rumored you could purchase more than a good night's sleep. . . . . . . . Several General Stores were also present within the town limits. The last tavern reputedly closed its doors at the end of business Christmas Eve 1941 and was located in the little white building on the South side of the old Chevy Garage. The old brick buildings now remaining in Riley were built of bricks that were made locally in a kiln located where thelake now exist, south of the railroad on the West side of the Louisville Road.

   A story related to me of some of the early "entertainment" of the time how two brothers from Cory would ride their horses to Riley on Saturday afternoon, and start their visit in the first tavern. Soon, a fight would break out, and end up in the street, continuing on down the street until the next tavern was reached. Then a break would be called and everyone would visit the second tavern for refreshments until the fight would break out again, and out to the street again. This entertainment continued until all seven taverns had been visited, after which, the two brothers saddled up and rode back to Cory.  (thanks, Kenny)

   Oil wells and coal mines used to dot the area surrounding Riley, A few of the oil wells may still be operating, but I cannot think of a single shaft or strip coal mine presently operating. The largest industry around Riley remains in the hands of the hard working farmers.

   Lets see what Riley looks like now. Still a great place to live. Good people, a few old grouches and gossips, but still great people. Below are photos of some of the town of Riley.


Click here for a more complete history of Riley/Lockport

Life of Riley Grill. Haven't been in there for years, don't really know why, just haven't. Hear they have very good food, are friendly people. Used to be a hangout when I was in High School. A nostalgic place. Really like the name.

Ed Hylton's Barber Shop in front and the Clip & Curl in the back. Ed does a pretty good haircut. Sometimes I believe the Barber Shop is the center of a town. Good haircut, good conversation, although I don't really talk that much. I keep giving Ed less and less to cut but he refuses to give me a discount 46 years the Barber of Riley. Ed Hylton has passed on. A friend to all, an asset to the community. He will be sorely  missed by all who knew him. God Bless

Site of Lockport School, now the Masonic Lodge. I would have thought there would have been a school before this since Hazelgreen was in the 1820's There has been two schools after this one. In 1957 the school population was something like 76 from Grade 1 through grade 12. In the new Elementary School, it is considerably more only in the elementary grades.

Ok, It's an empty lot. Big Deal! This is where Fox's Ice Cream Parlor once stood. My Grandfather S. used to say he would take the family on a Sunday excursion from Terre Haute to Riley for ice cream at Fox's and come back. He said there was never a time he made this trip that he did not have a flat tire on the Lockport Road. Nostalgic.

Wow! A Laundromat and Beauty Salon! Bet you haven't seen one of these for a while. Anyway it stands on the same ground and same building as "Herbs General Merchandise" once stood. You could buy things like a can of beans or a case of dynamite. Different times.

Reeces Pump & Pantry.   A real gold mine. Very busy. I don't know how I ever got this picture with no cars there.

The Old Town Post Office and Mrs P's Liquors.     Post Office on the left. No, they were not the same place. You couldn't  have a beer while reading your mail. Carry out only, except at the Post Office you could also mail letters.

Riley's new Post Office Featuring PO boxes that will open without an act of Congress. All kinds of room inside. Even room for a pot belly stove and a cracker barrel.......

Riley's Supermarket. Operated by a very pleasant middle eastern gentleman. Best meats around for miles, and an amazing stock of groceries at reasonable prices. He was once asked why he didn't eat meat and he replied, "It is a life, why kill it". Made me feel bad, but I still like a thick juicy steak. He is going to sell me my winning lottery ticket. Soon, I hope.

Riley Lions Den.   Although I am not a member, I believe this organization does more for the community than any other organization I can think of. This was also the site of Froderman's Chevrolet Sales, with used car lot across the street to the left. I remember gazing in awe at the brand new 1955 Chevrolets in the showroom window.

   There are probably a few more distinctive landmarks in Riley, but this gives an overview of the town. Not a bad place at all. I guess I'll sling the fishing pole over my shoulder, take my grandson by the hand and whistle on home now.