1850-1880 , to send a postcard was a penny, the typewriter was invented, the 1st transatlantic cable was laid, Bell invented the telephone, the transcontinental railroad was finished, and Edison invented the phonograph, then later the light bulb.  There was a growing interest in baseball, beards became fashionable, and the YMCA was created.

By 1860 , 1 out of every 10 people living in Indiana were foriegn-born.  66,705 had come from Germany.  Most were Roman Catholic.

In November, 1860, Bishop de Sain Palais came to St. Joseph Hill for the first confirmation. 

Fr. Herman Panzer became the next Pastor, staying for nearly nine years.  During this time he oversaw the construction of two  frame buildings on the site of the current office building (convent); the first a one room school, and the other a home for the teaching Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg who staffed the school.

Fr. Panzer also purchased the lowlands just east of the rectory and church from Herman Schalk.

1870 Louisville Cement Company opened a plant in Speed.

In the winter of 1866-67 the temperature was so bitter cold in the area that the Ohio River froze over.  The supply of coal ran out, causing much suffering.

The Civil War (1861-1865) occurred during Fr. Michael’s residence, with Abraham Lincoln serving as President.

 

A smallpox epidemic broke out in the area during this time as well.

1870 The first bridge was completed between Louisville and Southern Indiana.

1869 First Vatican Council convened in Rome by Pope Pius IX.  The initial session began on December 8th.