Pioneer Railways of the Circle City: The Indianapolis & Bellefontaine Railroad Depot on Mass Avenue
Exploring the history of the original Bellefontaine Railroad depot on Massachusetts Avenue.
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Class 900: Indianapolis
A BLOG ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE CIRCLE CITY
- Nov 29
- 6 min
The Modern Indianapolis Zoo Part III: Remains of the Old Zoo
In a final post about the history of the old Indianapolis Zoo, we explore the remnants of the zoo at Washington Park.
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- Nov 15
- 6 min
Clyde Milton Johnson and the Shootout on Monument Circle
On a spring afternoon in 1949 a fugitive bank robber engaged in a running gun battle with federal agents on Monument Circle in Indianapolis.
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- Nov 4
- 16 min
50th Anniversary: IFD and the Grant Fire - “The Finest Moment this Department Ever Had."
Note: This post was originally published on February 12, 2022. November 5, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of the Grant Fire and this...
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- Oct 30
- 6 min
Constructing Another Landmark: The Coca-Cola Bottling Plant
Exploring the history of the Coca Cola Bottling Plant on Massachusetts Avenue, constructed by the William P. Jungclaus Co.
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- Oct 20
- 11 min
A History of Wild Times at the Bellevue Roadhouse and Resort on Michigan Road
Exploring the history of wild times at the Bellevue Resort and Roadhouse on Michigan Road on the northside of Indianapolis.
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- Oct 2
- 18 min
The Modern Indianapolis Zoo Part II: Finding its Stride and Growing Pains
Part II in a series exploring the Indianapolis Zoo as it expanded operations at Washington Park, up to its move to White River State Park.
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- Sep 27
- 5 min
A Call for the Preservation and Reuse of IPS School 86 in Butler-Tarkington
Not a traditional Indianapolis history post, but a case for the preservation and reuse of IPS School 86 in Butler-Tarkington.
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- Sep 13
- 5 min
Exploring the Remains of a Bridge in Millersville
Exploring the remains of an old iron bridge in the Millersville neighborhood of Indianapolis.
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- Sep 11
- 1 min
Vanished Indianapolis: Book Launch Event Tuesday, September 12
If you follow me on social media, you likely have seen me promoting my first book, Vanished Indianapolis, published this past week by...
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- Sep 7
- 8 min
The Corruption of Dr. Coe Part I: The Doctor and the Canals
In Part 1 of a series on the actions of Dr. Coe in regard to the financing of the Indiana canal system in the 1830s.
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- Aug 22
- 6 min
Meet Me at the Vu: The History of the Ron-D-Vu drive-in restaurant in Butler-Tarkington
Exploring the history of a popular drive-in restaurant which was once located in Butler-Tarkington at 52nd and Westfield Blvd.
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- Aug 12
- 12 min
The Modern Indianapolis Zoo - Part I: From Proposal to Reality
Exploring the history of the founding of the first modern Indianapolis Zoo at Washington Park.
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- Jul 31
- 10 min
Sweetest Street in Indianapolis: Chocolate Avenue and the Dilling Candy Company
Exploring the history of Chocolate Avenue and the Dilling Candy Company in Indianapolis.
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- Jul 24
- 4 min
Beacon of Health: The History of the Methodist Hospital Lighthouse
Taking a quick look at the history of the Lighthouse, or 'Beacon,' atop the IU Health Methodist Hospital at 16th and Capitol in Indianapolis
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- Jul 15
- 10 min
Fishing, Dancing, and Drinking: The History of Shannon’s Lake
Exploring the history of Shannon's Lake, one of the few natural lakes in Marion County, and a scene of recreation and frivolities.
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- Jun 29
- 7 min
Ruins on the Monon Trail: The Remains of the Maas-Neimeyer Lumberyard
Exploring the history of the ruins of a now abandoned brick structure along the Monon Trail in Indianapolis.
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- Jun 19
- 4 min
The Chase Bank Building at Westfield Blvd. and Illinois St.: A Long History of Being a Bank
Exploring the rather straightforward history of the Chase bank building at Illinois and Westfield Boulevard in Butler-Tarkington.
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- Jun 8
- 6 min
Exploring Mount Nebo in Indianapolis
Exploring the history of the Mount Nebo location in Indianapolis.
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- May 26
- 7 min
In The Shadow of the Motor Speedway: The Allison Machine Shop in Speedway, Indiana
Exploring the history behind the founding location of the Allison Transmission Company in downtown Speedway, Indiana.
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- May 9
- 11 min
Preserving the Natural Space of Indianapolis: The History of Marott Woods
Exploring the history of the Marott Park (aka Marott Woods Nature Preserve) in Indianapolis.
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- Apr 29
- 4 min
A Remnant of Railway Mass Transit: The McLean Place Streetcar Barn
Exploring the history of a former streetcar maintenance and storage barn on the near northside of Indianapolis.
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- Apr 18
- 14 min
Gambling, Baseball, Beer and Fast Times: The History of Brighton Beach in Indianapolis
Exploring the history of the Brighton Beach area of Indianapolis, the site of saloons, gambling, and baseball at the turn of the century.
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- Apr 1
- 7 min
Draining the Swamps: The History of the Indianapolis State Ditch
Exploring the history of the State Ditch, an effort from the 1830's to alleviate flooding problems in Indianapolis.
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- Mar 21
- 10 min
Overcoming the Railroad Barrier: The History of the Virginia Avenue Viaduct
Exploring the history of the Virginia Avenue viaduct, and its role in connecting two sides of the city, and its eventual decline.
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- Mar 10
- 6 min
The History of the Mutual Service Association Camp in Butler-Tarkington
A post about the history of the Mutual Service Association camp in Butler-Tarkington revealed a tragic event associated with the camp.
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- Feb 27
- 6 min
A Glorified Sandbar: The History of Governor's Island in Indianapolis
Exploring the history of Governor's Island in the White River, a common feature on maps of early Indianapolis.
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- Feb 22
- 1 min
Contributions to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis
Promoting recent contributions to the online version of the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.
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- Jan 31
- 4 min
Then & Now: Laying the Cornerstone of the Central Library
A short 'then and now' about the history behind the 1916 setting of the cornerstone for the Central Library in downtown Indianaoplis.
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- Jan 12
- 4 min
From Indianapolis to Canton: The Bellis Bicycle Company's McKinley Relay
Exploring the history behind an Indianapolis based plan to launch a bike relay during the 1896 Presidental election.
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- Jan 5
- 4 min
A Horse Named Jack and His Adventure in the Canal
Exploring the history behind an old Associated Press photo of an incident on the Central Canal in downtown Indianapolis.
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- Dec 28, 2022
- 5 min
Structural 'Wanderlust': The Relocation of the Bobbs-Merrill Building
Using images located in a collection in Michigan to explore the history of moving the Bobbs-Merrill building in downtown Indianapolis.
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- Dec 22, 2022
- 3 min
The Yule Candle and Other Holiday Decorations at University Park
A quick holiday-themed post which explores some history of holiday decorations at University Park.
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- Dec 11, 2022
- 3 min
Mystery Buildings along MLK Jr. Street
Exploring the history behind a pair of unmarked brick buildings on the near north side of Indianapolis.
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- Nov 29, 2022
- 6 min
Kind of a Big Dill: The History of the W.D. Huffman Pickle Company of Indianapolis
Exploring the history of the W.D. Huffman pickle company in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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- Nov 13, 2022
- 8 min
Taking a Dam Tour: The History of the Broad Ripple Dam
Exploring the history of the Broad Ripple Dam, in person, and through historical sources.
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- Oct 18, 2022
- 6 min
A Brief History of the Commons on Capitol
Exploring the history of the block currently occupied by the Hudnut Commons park and Simon Tower in Indianapolis.
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- Oct 6, 2022
- 9 min
Sarah Hill Fletcher: A Pillar of Her Family and Community
Calvin Fletcher gets all the attention locally, but the history behind his wife, Sarah, shows the profound impact she had on Indianapolis.
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- Sep 21, 2022
- 11 min
The Founding and Early History of Rocky Ripple, 1910(ish)-1940
Exploring the founding and early history of the town of Rocky Ripple in Indianapolis.
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- Aug 30, 2022
- 5 min
Evolving Designs: From the Union Trust Building to the Indiana National Bank
Exploring the history of the Union Trust Building and its, successor, the Indiana National Bank building on Market Street in Indianapolis.
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- Aug 23, 2022
- 9 min
Faith and Litigation: The Early History of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Indianapolis
Exploring the early history of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Indianapolis, Indiana
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- Aug 8, 2022
- 5 min
Then and Now: 19th Street and the Monon Trail
A quick Then & Now and history of the intersection of 19th and Monon Trail in Indianapolis.
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- Jul 29, 2022
- 10 min
Legally Speaking, the White River Is Navigable: The History of River Travel in Indianapolis
Exploring the history of watercraft and water transportation on the White River in Indianapolis.
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- Jul 23, 2022
- 13 min
Constructing a Legacy Part II: The William P. Jungclaus Company from 1924-1967
A second post covering the history of the Indianapolis based William P. Jungclaus Co., from 1924 - 1967.
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- Jul 15, 2022
- 5 min
Alternate Indy History: What if Butler University Had Remained Downtown
Looking at the history of Butler University's first campus, and the "what if" had the university remained at that site.
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- Jun 29, 2022
- 6 min
The Fast and Furious Life of the Brookside Park Bicycle Track
Exploring the history of the Brookside Park Bicycling Track in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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- Jun 23, 2022
- 7 min
The George Kessler Maps of Indy Parks
A quick look at several historic Indianapolis park maps prepared by landscape architect George Kessler, and how those parks appear today.
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- Jun 1, 2022
- 7 min
The History and Ruins of the Riverside Park Suspension Bridges
In the early 1900's, Riverside Park posted a pair of suspension bridges for pedestrian use. Today, just ruins of these structures remain.
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- May 25, 2022
- 9 min
The Past and Uncertain Future of the former IPS School #86
The School 86 building has been a part of the history of Butler-Tarkington since the late 1920's, although its future is now in doubt.
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- May 14, 2022
- 8 min
Exploring the Northern Division of the Central Canal
Returning to a long running project to research the history of the Central Canal, in this post we explore an intact section of the canal.
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