The torch arrived on the courthouse lawn in the passenger seat of a rebuilt Maxwell, one of thousands of automobiles that helped build New Castle in the early part of the 20th century.

American Legion Commander Bill Colvin waved and smiled from the front seat while Henry County Historical Society Board President Gene Ingram maneuvered the automobile down Main Street.

Dozens of community members cheered when the line of Indiana State Police vehicles and the official Bicentennial entourage pulled up to the courthouse curb.

As the state motorcade passed through Henry County communities, local servant leaders symbolically passed the torch to future Hoosiers.

 “It is truly a pleasure and an honor to me to be a part of this 200 years,” York said. “We came a long way in just a hundred years.”

York said he can hardly imagine what changes are in store for New Castle in the next century.

The mayor’s voice caught in his throat when he talked about the changes that have come to New Castle and the surrounding communities since Indiana declared statehood in 1816. Henry County itself was settled six years later.

Henry County Commissioner Ed Yanos recounted how a forested Henry County was settled all those years ago by “men of steel and women of leather.”

While speaking, Yanos stood beside the county’s painted buffalo, Henry, a gift from the United Fund Bison-tennial Celebration. Henry and 91 other bison like him stand in each Hoosier county as totems of local history and pride.

After passing the torch off to Mayor York, Colvin joined other members of the local American Legion chapter to give an honorary 21 gun salute. Colvin then played the military bugle song “Taps” to a somber and respectful audience.

State police motorcycles then escorted the caravan up North Main Street and headed out to Memorial Park for a community bonfire.