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STORY INDEX Introduction Population of Indiana's northeast counties grew by 81 percent this century Tracking railroads: Since 1900, number of local lines reduced from five to two Longtime area auto dealers have 'seen it all' Amish continue long-held traditions - except on safety issues Cars accelerate lives of Noble County residents The price of cars: How much did it cost to drive one off the lot? Electric Interurban connected area to Fort Wayne, beyond LaGrange residents rally to save historic brick streets U.S. 6, Ind. 3: Kendallville's routes to growth Agriculture ever-changing, advancing in Noble County Comparisons: How far did the dollar stretch? Growing onions, peppermint made 'scents' in early 1900s The Gaby farm: Family-owned and celebrating over 150 years A changing culture impacts 4-H County fair continues to be a big social event Thriving through the times: Downtown Kendallville adapts to a century of changes Dekko's philanthropy remains a 'valuable resource' Rinkel family still at the wheel of Greenfield Hills Commerce nothing new to Shipshewana: Town thrives as one of fastest-growing tourist areas in state Making do during the Great Depression: Retired hatchery owner recalls tough times, bright moments Mill a 'Star' business in Ligonier: Firm has been grinding wheat into flour for 113 years Elmer E. McCray had a major impact on Kendallville Richard R. Cole has long legacy Female executive has seen many changes in workforce Working women: From assisting war effort to competing in global markets Wolcottville a center of commerce, industry in 1800s Mongoquinong area was early LaGrange County commercial center 'The cheapest hired hand we ever had.' Electricity made life brighter, easier down on the farm Monument company's history set in stone Historic Corn School dates back to 1906 LaGrange residents rally to save historic brick streets By DAVID BAINBRIDGE The News-Sun LAGRANGE - Usually it's the buildings lining a city's streets that hold the city's history. However, in LaGrange, a bit of the town's history lies in the streets themselves. And now the preservation of that history is in danger. On June 6, 1907, 47 railroad cars brought 260,000 bricks into the town of LaGrange for the purpose of paving Detroit Street from U.S. 20 to Factory Street, which lies one block north of Courthouse Square. It took workers from the middle of July to the end of August to brick Detroit Street. The County Council was reportedly so impressed that they appropriated $4,000 to have the other three sides of Courthouse Square bricked in the summer of 1908. Also during that summer, the LaGrange Town Council ordered three additional blocks paved with bricks. This included two blocks on Spring Street, one east and one west of Courthouse Square, and one on Lafayette west of Detroit.   Now, due to a state-mandated sewer separation and the costs involved, the town might have to sacrifice some of the historic streets. While Detroit Street has been paved, and some of the Spring Street bricks have been covered with asphalt or concrete for repair work, the rest of the brick streets were still in place until earlier this year when Geiger Excavation of Fort Wayne began work on the sewer separation project. However, members of a community group calling itself the Save Our Bricks Committee have rallied together to guarantee that at least three blocks of the endangered streets will be rescued. On Thursday, June 17, a crew of Amish workmen began re-laying the bricks. The cost for replacing all the bricks is approximately $125,000, according to the committee, but the Save Our Bricks committee has only raised slightly more than $93,000 to date. The committee plans to continue to raise funds, but will only continue to have the streets rebricked until the money runs out. Town officials have expressed concern that paving will be disrupted by the bricklayers' eight-week schedule, especially if a street is left partially unbricked due to lack of funds and Geiger has already pulled out of town. Geiger representatives recently asked the Town Council to be relieved of responsibility for the quality of the re-laying of the bricks, a condition Town Council members granted. The cost of restoring the brick streets was originally estimated at $408,000, but due to volunteers joining the cause, the price has been drastically reduced. According to local businessman Joe Billman, who was recently instrumental in revitalizing a section of downtown LaGrange storefronts, "LaGrange is blessed (to have) historic brick streets ... Throughout the years only minimal maintenance was needed to keep them in their original condition. The brick streets are unique. There are only a handful of such streets still in use in Indiana today." According to the National Main Street Center, Billman said, among the reasons to revitalize and preserve brick streets in American communities are because the streets can serve as: · A symbol of community economic health, quality of life, pride and history. · A stronger tax base. · An incubator for new small business. · A catalyst to concentrate retail in one area. · A desirable feature which protects property values. · A force to keep businesses in town. · An attraction for tourists.