Eugene “Beaner” Linn holds the distinction of being both Gas City’s and the state of Indiana’s longest-serving mayor, dedicating 33 years of his life to public service.
    Born on the third floor of the Avalon Hotel in Gas City on May 15, 1934, Eugene was the son of Walter and Anna Linn, both lifelong employees of the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. His nickname, “Beaner,” came from a childhood love for the comic strip Beany and Cecil—a name that stuck with him throughout his life. Known as a pipe-smoking, El Camino-driving, God-fearing, and occasionally ornery “good ol’ boy,” Beaner Linn was widely respected for his big heart, deep faith, and dedication to family and community.
    Elected mayor in 1968, Linn served until his passing in 2001. His legacy is marked by tireless leadership, particularly during challenging times. After the closure of two major employers in the 1970s, he worked relentlessly to revitalize the local economy. One of his major accomplishments came in 1999, when he helped bring the American Woodmark Corporation—a kitchen cabinet manufacturer—to Gas City. The $10 million plant created more than 200 jobs, offering new hopeto the community.
    Under his leadership, Gas City saw the development of vital infrastructure and community
spaces, including a park, a public pool, and expanded city services—all aimed at improving
residents’ quality of life.
    Mayor Linn’s dedication was recognized at the state level. Following his death, Indiana
Governor Frank O’Bannon remembered him as “the essence of a good public office holder—a
leader with vision to see better possibilities for the community, understand the needs of the
people, and the ability to bring possibilities into reality.”
    Interestingly, Linn’s long tenure almost never happened. In 1967, he lost the mayoral election to incumbent Melvin Huffman by just 14 votes. Discouraged, Linn initially vowed never to run again. However, something didn’t sit right—vote totals for city council races didn’t align with the mayoral results. Suspecting an error, Linn requested a recount. Two weeks later, his instincts were confirmed: a miscount had occurred. The corrected results gave Linn the victory—by 86 votes—and began one of the most remarkable mayoral careers in Indiana history.