Broad Ripple has logged 175 years since its founding. Just think about it. There may have been an adventurous pioneer standing right where you are at this moment. Or, there could well have been a companion to that settler who could have changed the course of everything by giving in to the urge to turn back. Thankfully, the early settlers stayed and established this great community. Saw mills turned into lumberyards, wagon and livery stables morphed into car dealerships, farmers prospered and gave rise to grocery stores, churches, schools, and the post office was established. Generation after generation would subsequently make this community their home.

Just after the 175-year celebration in late April, a friend and I turned roving reporters in Broad Ripple, asking people two questions: What would you like to say to those folks who founded this area? What would you like to say to people who will be here 175 years from now? Although these are somewhat simple questions, most people found them challenging.

A Broad Ripple newcomer of three weeks, Cody said, "I would like thank founders for settling this area so we have it to enjoy today." He also said he hoped the folks 175 years from now would appreciate the area then as much as we do now. Kristin, Becca, Jordan, and Brandon, visitors from Carmel and Greenfield who were celebrating in the village that night, all agreed our founders had done a good job and said to those who will follow, "Better not swim in the Canal or the River."

Chris and Brittany reminded us that Broad Ripple was at one time a swamp. "We have a lot to enjoy today compared to the first settlers." Like other interviewees, their message to folks of the future was "keep Broad Ripple nice and pick up the trash." Molly and Joe, who've lived in the area for a little more than two years, had thoughts too. Joe thanked the people of the past for letting Broad Ripple develop into a great place to have fun as well as offer a diverse collection of businesses where everyone is welcome. Molly suggested "To those who come after us - respect the vibe of Broad Ripple."

Nick from Fountain Square was enjoying a Broad Ripple evening. He was hard pressed to imagine our founders could have anticipated the Broad Ripple of today, and to those of the future, he said, "It will probably be as hard for you to imagine 175 years ago as it was for me to do so now." Hayley, Annie, Heather and Hanna, Butler students from the Butler Tarkington area, thanked those who came before for settling the area so that today they could partake of the urban bustle, great entertainment, and a place to relax and walk the trail. They hoped "Broad Ripple will maintain the vibrant community spirit. . . a great complement to a great university." Peggy, David, Greg, and John were enjoying ice cream at BRICS. Residents of Meridian-Kessler, they appreciate this as a place that appeals to three generations to share an early summer evening together.

Todd and Nan from the Mapleton-Fall Creek area simply wondered what the forefathers would think of Broad Ripple today. Lenzy and James from Fortville wished they had bought Broad Ripple real estate long ago. They challenged people of the future to be "good stewards of the area because it is great."

The final couple questioned was at Plump's Last Shot. Jim and Ronda were holding down regulars' chairs on the patio. They suspected this spot where the hardcore Broad Ripple folks meet to partake of an evening libation with their friends and their dogs was surely the farthest likelihood pioneers would have imagined. To the people of 2187, Jim and Ronda said in unison, "Sorry, you missed a good man, you missed Bill Brink." Brink, a Broad Ripple fixture for many years and one of Indiana's foremost naturalist and nature photographers, is sorely missed by many. He is memorialized by steel sculptured cowboy hat on Plump's patio (created by Ward Walker).

You might want to take a moment to think about how you would answer these two questions. What would you say to our settlers and what advice or comment would you like to give those who come after us? This sort of reflecting can help us bookmark the continuing history of Broad Ripple in meaningful ways.