The relationship between fen vegetation and water and soil chemistry gradients in an alkaline slope fen was studied during the growing season of 2005. Owned by Irving Materials Inc. (IMI), the fen is a two hectare property in north-central Henry County, Indiana. The objectives of the study were (1) to conduct a floral inventory of the site and determine the floristic quality index for the site; (2) to visually characterize and stratify the site into areas of similar vegetation or community types; (3) to characterize relationships, if any, existing between vegetation and chemical and hydrological gradients; and (4) to quantify spatial and temporal patterns of ground water alkalinity throughout the fen. The floral inventory revealed 287 species, representing 180 genera in 79 families. Of the documented flora, 246 are native, 41 are adventives, and 20 represent Henry County records. The Floristic Quality Index and the mean Coefficient of Conservatism suggest that the site is of nature preserve quality and contains noteworthy remnants of the region’s natural heritage. They also suggest that the adventives are having a minimal negative impact on the native flora. For quantitative vegetation analysis, fixed transects were monitored three times during the growing season (spring, summer, fall). Basic subsurface water chemistry and levels were monitored bi-weekly and 30 soil and 30 surface water samples (10 each to coordinate with the vegetation survey) were analyzed for over 35 physical parameters. In all cases, the parameters fell within the ranges of typical Midwestern fens, but most noticeably for calcium carbonate. Applying the Floristic Quality Assessment to the vegetation occurring along fixed transects, 26 species were identified with an importance value greater than one. Nonmetric, multidimensional scaling analysis of fen species dominance delineate spatial and temporal patterns in vegetation. Joint plot vectors indicate the strength and direction of correlations between soil and water chemistry variables. Nine physical parameters were useful to separate vegetation into groups. The relationship between the plants and these nine parameters is described and discussed. / Department of Biology

This paper is an archaeological. resources management plan for a proposed archaeological district in Henry County which encompasses four sites known to be significant: New Castle (12Hn-1), Commissary (12-Hn-2), Van Nuys (12-Hn-25), and Hesher (12Hn-298). Information is provided about previous e::cavations at each of the sites as well as details regarding the location, natural setting, and cultural history of each site. Research questions are outlined. The core of the plan relates to niiariagernent of the resources including suggestions regarding future uses and protection. Finally, completed National Register of Historic Places Registration Forms for the incorporation of the four archaeological sites into a single archaeological district are attached. / Department of Anthropology

This thesis is a comprehensive study of the church buildings built between 1821 and 1910 in Henry County, Indiana. The dramatic transformation from wilderness to an agricultural landscape dotted with small towns is echoed in the pattern of churches constructed. From member homes, congregations next moved into hewn-log buildings, that were replaced by vernacular frame buildings, and sometimes later with architect-designed brick or stone edifices. Congregations of the many different denominations organized during this time period in Henry County (Quaker, Methodist, and Church of Christ were the most numerous ) followed this pattern, though at varying speeds. The result of this cycle of building replacement, as well as the decline of individual congregations and occasional natural disasters, is that the forty-two existing buildings represent only about a quarter of the total number of church buildings erected during these ninety years. A survey of these forty-two buildings can be found in Appendix B.The research focused on where congregations built, how they built-obtaining land, raising funds, and what they built-materials, forms, and architectural styles, such as Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic Revival. Possible sources of plans and designs, including architects and nineteenth-century pattern books are discussed, although the influence of these sources was difficult to determine based on the brief accounts usually found in original church records. The thesis concludes with an overview of what has happened to pre-1910 Henry County church buildings after they were completed. Case studies of eight structures, including frame gable-front churches and masonry auditoriumplan churches illustrate the life-cycles of these Midwestern church buildings, revealing that continuous change has been their fate. / Department of Architecture

Emergency services are very important in every society and that is why their activities should not be impeded by any avoidable barrier, especially with regard to transportation. One problem that is affecting the smooth running of emergency services in Henry County, Indiana is train movement across the county. The train tracks run through the county preventing road traffic flow when a train is crossing or has stopped. As a result, ambulances, police, or fire service vehicles have to wait for minutes or travel long distances to go around the train. This thesis focuses on developing response service areas maps based on the current response time and two models to generate shortest route around train obstructions. The data used for this thesis was provided by Henry County GIS Department, including shape files of police stations, police service areas, ambulance stations, ambulance service areas, fire stations, fire service areas, railroad and streets. The response service areas were designed based on the current response time. This was accomplished using ArcGIS network analyst extension which provides tools to design series of concentric circles based on the distance from the common center. Apart from the service areas maps for the emergency services which provide an idea as to where the services need to be extended in the county, the results of this thesis also include two models designed to generate shortest possible route as well as selection of a closest emergency facility to an incident site. The thesis could help improve the transportation aspect of emergency services in the county. / Department of Geography

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M.S.

The present study… had for its purpose to discover in what ways, to what extent, and under what conditions, both farming and industrial employment contribute to the family living of these persons in Henry County, Virginia who are engaged in both part-time farming and industrial employment. / Master of Science