Artist: Sarah Shaffer
Title: “Made in Muncie” – A History Rich as Diamonds
Location: Wheeling and McGalliard; Sponsored by the Anthony-Northside Neighborhood Association
A Message from the Anthony-Northside Neighborhood Association:
The Anthony-Northside neighborhood wishes to honor Muncie native Harriett Bell Mitchell Anthony, a.k.a. “Diamond Heels Hattie” and “The Lady of the Diamond Heels”, for her international promotion of “Made in Muncie” and for her generous contribution to our neighborhood and the expansion of Muncie.
Hattie was born into a wealthy Delaware County family, who settled in the small village of Muncietown, and married Charles Haines Anthony in "one of the most brilliant and enjoyable affairs that has ever taken place in this city." Charles was the grandson of Dr. Samuel P. Anthony, Muncie’s first permanent physician, who amassed a large fortune as a merchant and as, by long odds, Muncie’s largest property owner. This traffic control box sits on one of the vast tracts of land Dr. Anthony owned. Prominent friends of Hattie included Miss Lucy Ball and Miss Helen Ball, and, at New Year’s Day gatherings they hosted, were Hattie’s favorite Dresden china and vases overflowing with clusters of poinsettias, carnations, narcissus, rosebuds, snapdragons, and sweet peas of Dresden colors.
In the early 1900s, Harriett created an international sensation with the striking character of her gorgeous gowns, with a hat to match each one, and her many pairs of shoes set with diamonds in the heels. In one pair of her French heels, covered with duchesse lace, were thirty-eight one-carat diamonds. After her attendance at a White House reception, The Washington Post reported that, with her diamond-heeled shoes, Hattie had one-upped Alice Longworth Roosevelt, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. At the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City and the Willard Hotel in Washington, Hattie was often seen wearing her designer dresses and plethora of diamonds on the hotels' Peacock Alleys. The inventory of Mrs. Anthony’s diamonds was a credible reason for the Waldorf-Astoria’s legendary habit of turning off the dining room lights when Mrs. Anthony came down to dinner.
Newspapers all over the country gave her much space and referred to her as the “arbiter of fashions,” “Muncie’s creator of American fashions,” “social sensation of the East,” and the like. She would proudly tell reporters “I don’t buy my gowns in Paris. These beautiful pieces came from Indiana.” “Made in Muncie” was the claim Mrs. Anthony asserted. And New York was astounded and told the world. So Mrs. Anthony made history.
In 1927, Harriett generously sold for $1, and no other consideration, part of the Anthony’s land for development of the prestigious Wheeling Park subdivision, demarcated by stone gateway entrance and stone boundary posts, to grow Muncie’s footprint north. These Muncie landmarks led west to the Anthony farm tract. They are one of the last remaining reminders of the Anthony family’s influence in Muncie and the last standing structures in Anthony-Northside noting the Anthony family’s existence.
A Message from the Artist:
This Box! Box! Design seeks to honor “Diamond Heels Hattie” in each of the elements presented. Hattie was most famous for her fashion and in particular her diamond studded high heeled shoes. Her heels are placed prominently in this design sitting upon the stone pillars that act as a gateway to the Wheeling Park subdivision. The land where this neighborhood sits, was owned by her family, and sold for $1. Hattie’s love of vibrant color and floral design is also showcased in the floral patterns placed above the pillars and shoes. These eye-catching flowers are modeled after the Dresden china that Hattie used during her elegant get togethers. With this design, I hope to share the rich history of Muncie’s own fabulous fashionista, Harriett Bell Mitchell Anthony, and to honor her contributions to the city of Muncie and the Anthony-Northside Neighborhood.
Bio: Sarah Shaffer is a native of Indiana, growing up in Fort Wayne with a love of art from an early age. She is a graduate of Ball State University's Art Department, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Metalsmithing earned in 2007. She is passionate about the arts and community engagement. Sarah worked at Cornerstone Center for the Arts as a visual arts instructor from 2015 to 2020, working with students of all ages, from preschool to adult.
Sarah’s current work is primarily in painting. She has created artwork ranging from private collections and exhibitions to large scale public art. In 2019, she completed a traffic box as a part of Muncie Arts and Culture Council’s Box! Box! project and created a mural in Gaston, Indiana in 2020. Sarah lives with her husband and two children in Muncie, Indiana.
You can see Sarah’s current work on Facebook and Instagram under the name Sarah Shaffer Designs.
