When one thinks of small-town America, images of rural settings, quiet nights, neighborly hospitality, children riding bicycles, and setting up lemonade stands, come to mind. When one thinks of small-town America, a sense of security and traditional values ease the mind and heart into a nostalgic remembrance of simpler times. A place of front porch swings, flag poles, and “mom-and-pop” shops that seem to have been their forever and will always be. Lulled into a sense of security and permanence, one can easily forget that the American small town of today was once part of a rough and rugged frontier where survival was questionable, and hardship was certain. While some frontier towns became booming cities, others faded into little more than a spot in the road. The town of Whitehall, Indiana is one such spot in the road. Whitehall, once a growing town with factories, mills, schools, churches, stores, a bank and a post office, now is little more than a bend in Highway 43 between the county seats of Bloomington and Spencer.

The Rise and Fall of Whitehall is a brief look into the town of Whitehall, Indiana from its origins to its present state accompanied by a beautiful mix of historic and modern photography. At the end you will find a heartwarming bonus story by Kimberly Smith Musgrave entitled The Smith Family Cabin about one of Whitehall's most notable architectural features.