The heritage and background of this area

For more than 85 years, visitors to the Steuben County area have been greeted by the Soldiers’ Monument in downtown Angola. Built in 1917, the monument commemorates the men who fought in the Civil War.

Columbia, the heroic-sized figure that stands atop the 70-foot-high monument, can be seen holding a flag and a wreath of peace. The four lower statues represent the four branches of service and are known as Infantryman at Parade Rest, Cavalryman, Artilleryman and Sailor.

Each side of the monument features a plaque with the names of 1,278 Steuben County men who enlisted for service.

The Steuben County Tourism Bureau, located just one block south of the monument in the old jail, has postcards of the monument available to visitors at no charge.

A conglomeration of architectural styles, the Old Steuben County Jail is also included in the National Register. The brick and concrete structure, completed in 1877, cost $21,144 to build and housed the jail, sheriff’s residence and office. At one time, four-star General Lewis B. Hershey resided in the old jail with his father, the sheriff.

One of five Steuben County buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Steuben County Courthouse is located on the southeast side of the public square in Angola, the county seat. Built in 1868, the brick structure with ornamental brackets under the cornice is trimmed in dark green ivy in the summer.

Located at 313 E. Maumee St. in Angola, the Cline Memorial House Museum is a memorial from Carrie Cline Cameron, wife of Cameron Hospital founder Don Cameron, to her parents, Cyrus and Jennie Cline.


Cyrus Cline was the northeast Indiana district representative to the United States Congress during the terms of Presidents Taft and Wilson, from 1905-1917. The museum documents the lives of the Cline and Cameron families and is furnished with treasures from 1900 on.

The museum is open to the public June through August on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. or by contacting the Steuben County Historical Society at (260) 665-5060.

Powers Church is located 1/4 mile north of U.S. Highway 20, nine miles east of Angola on Old Road 1. The church was built in 1876 and regular services were held there until the 1920’s. Renovations began in 1976 and the church now features original oak and butternut woodwork, kerosene lamps and an original pump organ. Summer services are still being held.

Built in 1877, the Collins Schoolhouse housed students in grades one through eight with one teacher until 1943.

Located on State Road 120 between Fremont and Orland, the school is open Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. May through August by appointment only. Call June Collins at (260) 829-6152.