The Log of the Emmy Lou Ranch
Fred Hetherington’s 1910 Illustrated Guest Book
Welcome to a remarkably personal piece of Brown County’s artistic heritage. Created around 1910, this unique guest book—affectionately titled the “Log of the Emmy Lou Ranch”—was crafted by Fred Hetherington for his cabin located on Jackson Branch Road.
More than just a simple registry of names, this book served as a creative canvas for Hetherington’s dinner guests to illustrate, sign, and document their time spent in the beautiful hills of early 20th-century Nashville, Indiana.
The Cover Artwork
As seen in the cover illustration, the book is beautifully hand-lettered in striking red and black ink, declaring:
“Log of the EMMY LOU RANCH. Now newly made on four sheets of paper. Month of May 1910.”
Below the text sits a highly detailed, charming sketch by Hetherington (signed “F.A.H.” in the bottom left corner) showcasing the rustic, two-story cabin nestled among the dense, shaded trees of Jackson Branch Road.
Fred Hetherington created this guest book for his dinner guests to illustrate and sign at his cabin on Jackson Branch Rd. c.1910. Wm. Vawter, L.O. Griffith, & Gustave Bauman were among the guests.
As seen in the page above, the log is filled with playful banter, quick sketches, and signatures from these celebrated artists. The page includes dates from 1911 and features humorous doodles, such as a man walking in the rain next to a sign reading “Six Miles to Emma Lou Ranch.”
A Gathering of Artistic Giants
Brown County is renowned for its historic Art Colony, and Hetherington’s cabin was a lively gathering place for some of its most famous founding members. Among the notable guests who dined, sketched, and left their mark in this very book are:
- Wm. Vawter: The celebrated illustrator and landscape painter known for his close association with poet James Whitcomb Riley.
- L.O. Griffith: The master printmaker and painter who helped define the early aesthetic of the Brown County art movement.
- Gustave Baumann: The internationally acclaimed printmaker whose vibrant woodblock prints remain some of the most sought-after artworks of the era.
- Otto Stark & Adolph R. Shulz: Key figures in the Hoosier Group and the Brown County Art Colony whose signatures prominently grace the pages.
Meals, Memories, and Masterpieces
The guest book meticulously documents specific gatherings, giving us a vivid glimpse into the warmth and camaraderie of the time.
The entry shown shown above, lists the attendees for the “Night of Oct. 23d. 1910 – Dinner” and an enthusiastic celebration for a January 14, 1911 dinner declaring “STEAK. All hungry HOORAY!” The artists didn’t take themselves too seriously, assigning each other playful kitchen titles like “1st. Assistant to chef,” “Dishwiper,” and even “Complainer.”
Original artwork brings nearly every entry to life. The page featured above highlights a comforting charcoal sketch of a figure unwinding beside a roaring fireplace. Beneath this cozy scene, an exquisite pen-and-ink border of autumn foliage elegantly frames the record of a “Stew Party” celebrated on the night of October 12, 1912.
The guests didn’t just sign their names; they left behind miniature masterpieces. As seen above, visitors like Edward J. Krause left stunning, soft landscape sketches in the margins. Krause’s July 1910 entry also notes his affiliation with the famous Palette & Chisel Club of Chicago, highlighting how far artists traveled to experience the magic of the Brown County hills.
A Window Into Colony Life
Artifacts like the Emmy Lou Ranch guest book provide us with an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the daily lives of the artists who put Brown County on the map. It stands as a testament to a time when evenings were spent sharing meals, trading stories, and capturing the beauty of the world on whatever paper was close at hand.
Today, this beautifully preserved log serves as a tangible link to that vibrant era of creativity. By safeguarding such unique pieces of local history, the Brown County Historical Society ensures that the personal stories, quick sketches, and artistic legacy of our founding community members continue to inspire and educate new generations of visitors.
We invite you to experience this rich artistic heritage in person at the Brown County History Center. Viewing these original pages—complete with the artists’ spontaneous charcoal smudges and faded ink—offers a tangible connection to the past that simply cannot be replicated on a screen. It is artifacts like the Emmy Lou log that remind us why Nashville remains a beloved haven for creatives and history enthusiasts alike.
Ready to step back in time? Plan your visit today to explore our extensive physical archives, learn more about the early days of the Brown County Art Colony, and discover the pioneers who built our community. Whether you are researching your family history or attending one of our community events, the Brown County Historical Society is your gateway to the stories that shaped our region.