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IHS Presents Four Indiana Companies with 2019 Centennial Business Awards
INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is honoring four Indiana businesses for 100 years of service. IHS will present its 2019 Centennial Business Awards to Cummins Inc., Martinsville Candy Kitchen, Sandman Brothers Inc. and Sutton-Garten Company. The presentation will take place during IHS’s annual Founders Day dinner, Monday, Nov. 4, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.
As a recipient of the Centennial Business Award, each company will be added to the Historic Business Register, founded in 1992 by trustees and members of IHS. It provides special recognition to Indiana companies continually in business for a century or more, encourages the preservation of historically significant business-related archival materials and develops increased awareness of Indiana’s rich business and industrial heritage.
Cummins Inc., headquartered at 500 Jackson St. in Columbus, employs 62,600 people worldwide and serves customers in nearly every country across the globe. Now listed as a Fortune 150 company, Cummins’ humble roots date back to 1919 when Clessie Cummins and his business partner, William G. Irwin, built a company that was one of the first to take advantage of technology developed by German engineer Rudolph Diesel. Today, Cummins’ products range from diesel and natural gas engines to hybrid and electric platforms, among others, and it continues to develop new advanced products and services. More information is available at www.cummins.com.
Martinsville Candy Kitchen, located at 46 N. Main St. in Martinsville, is a family owned and run business known for making candy canes, divinity, jellies and other sweet treats by hand in the on-site kitchen. The historic business has passed down traditions from owner to owner, starting with Greek immigrant Jimmy Zapapas, who established the store in 1919. Today, visitors can experience a feeling of stepping back in time as they watch through windows into the kitchen or sample one of 24 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, milk shakes and malts from the old-time soda fountain. To learn more, visit the Candy Kitchen’s page at facebook.com.
Sandman Brothers Inc., located at 56 E. Broadway St. in Shelbyville, is known for selling cars, but the company got its start in 1918 as the Sandman Tire and Bicycle Shop. Chester and Bill Sandman founded the shop on East Washington Street before eventually branching out to automobiles. The current location on East Broadway has served customers for the past 80 years. To date, three generations of Sandmans have played a role in the company’s success. Larry Sandman, Chester’s son, joined the business in 1961, and now, Larry’s sons, Burke, Brent and Blake, all work for Sandman Brothers. Find out more at www.sandmanbrothers.com.
Sutton-Garten Company, located at 901 N. Senate Ave. in Indianapolis, is a leading independent distributor of welding supplies, gases and dry ice. A third-generation family-owned business, Sutton-Garten was founded in 1918 as a distributor for the Prest-O-Lite Company’s welding and lighting equipment. The company has continued to evolve, from selling and servicing electric welders in the 1920s to training welders to support the war effort during World War II. In 2007, Sutton-Garten began servicing beverage and industrial customers with bulk carbon dioxide. It also began to manufacture dry ice and is still the only dry ice producer in central Indiana. More information is available at www.suttongarten.com.
To learn more about the Centennial Business Award or IHS’s annual Founders Day event, presented by Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., call IHS at (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.
About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor experiences called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programs. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.
