Hamer W. Birdsong

Hamer Birdsong was born in Van Buren Ark and lived in Oklahoma for a while. From Oklahoma he moved to and lived in the La Porte County area for 27 years.

Hamer served during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corp (later known as the United State Air Force) for three years. He inlisted on 14 August 1942 and was honorably discharged on 27 October 1945. He served with the rank of T/Sgt. and was asigned to the 806th AAF Base Unit.

Hamer married Ester M. Caprous on August 24, 1951 in Valparaiso, and they had four childten, a daughter, Carol and three sons: Kevin, Dennis, and Rolland Hardesty.

Hamer worked for NIPSCO and was a member of the National Woodcarvers of America, Indiana Artists and Craftsmen, and the NIPSCO Maple City Public Service Club.

Hamer's left a lasting legacy in Kingsford Heights, as he is knows as the founder of the Hoosier Boys Club , later renamed Hoosier Ball Club. Many in the area remember Hamer at the ball fields co-ordinating baseball events.

The main park, in the center of Kingsford Heights, is named in his honor as the Hamer Birdsong Park. There are two baseball fields, play areas, picnic areas, and the Community Center all in the park.