Stuk 3373-14 - Christmas Ornaments 14 - Ferdinand, Indiana 1840-2015

1 Ornament -Metal

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. These words could easily describe this ornament. Rev. Joseph Kundek took a leap of faith in 1840 when he founded Ferdinand, nestled in the rolling hills of Southern Indiana. Rev. Kundek wanted to create his own model community and considered Germans to be a most industrious bunch, so he advertised land for sale in German-language newspapers as far away as Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburg, Pa. He promoted a "thriving" community, but all the weary immigrants found when they arrived was a sign nailed to a tree with "Ferdinand" painted on it. The faint of heart got back on the trail and headed west for Evansville or points beyond. But others stayed and made this new community, named after Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria, their final destination. Almost 175 years after its founding, Ferdinand truly is the thriving community Rev. Kundek envisioned. Rev. Kundek's faith is still apparent, with Monastery Immaculate Conception perched on a hill, the awe-inspiring St. Ferdinand Church in the heart of town, and a Baptist Church family on the north side of Ferdinand.

Collection is open for research