[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HAYDEN HISTORICAL MUSEUM NAMED THE CENTER OF GRAVITY

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                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2000

  Mr. HILL of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the 
dedication of the Hayden Historical Museum's ``Center of Gravity'' 
marker in Hayden, Indiana. On Saturday, May 20, 2000, I will attend the 
ribbon-cutting ceremony in Hayden to commemorate nearly 150 years of a 
phenomenon that has relocated two major transportation systems and 
caused other unusual events in Hayden's history.
  Town historians say the first train rolled into Hardenburg (now 
Hayden) on July 4, 1854. Allegedly, the train crew reported that the 
usual amount of steam power needed to ``pull out of Hardenburg'' would 
not suffice. Similar reports continued over the years, but no apparent 
conclusions or solutions were identified as to what ``pulled things 
down'' in Hayden. Years later, the railroad relocated to the south side 
of town where this mysterious force seemed to disappear.
  However, the story doesn't end there. In the 1920s, U.S. Hwy. 50 came 
through town on the road now running in front of the Hayden Historical 
Museum. Once again, motorists complained of a strange force that slowed 
them down, caused their engines to misfire, and made it hard to start 
again if they stopped. After a few years, authorities relocated the 
highway farther south of town than the railroad and again the problems 
ended.
  Hayden High School teacher and coach Charles ``Chuck'' Hurley coined 
the popular phrase ``the Hayden Spirit'' for a similar phenomenon that 
seemed to ``pull back '' people to Hayden just as the trains and cars 
seemed to be ``pulled down'' by the infamous force. The ``Center of 
Gravity'' is not the only force that attracts people to Hayden, 
Indiana. Hayden is a great place to live and raise your family. The 
citizens of Hayden take great pride in their community and work hard to 
keep their churches, schools and civic organizations strong. The 
``Hayden Spirit'' represents what is best about Hoosier small town 
life. I am honored the citizens of Hayden have asked me to join them on 
Saturday when they mark the point from which this mysterious power 
emanates--the ``Center of Gravity.''
  The Hayden Historical Museum keeps the Hayden community strong. The 
museum commemorates Hayden's past accomplishments and helps build its 
strong future. Elementary school members of Hayden's Little Hoosier 
Historians and middle school members of Whitcomb's Winners use the 
Museum every day to study the history of their town and state. The 
Museum library contains books, authentic letters, and a pictorial 
history of the town where Hayden's children can learn about the people 
and history of their small town of 250 people.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the people of Hayden in 
Congress. I applaud their enthusiastic commitment to education, arts, 
family, and community. The dedication celebration this weekend honors 
not only the Hayden Historical Museum's status as the ``Center of 
Gravity,'' but also the illustrious past and promising future of a 
remarkable Indiana community.

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