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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Class 900: Indianapolis
A BLOG ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE CIRCLE CITY
- 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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- May 6, 2022
- 8 min
The Early Integration of the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood
First in a series of posts about the history of Butler-Tarkington, here we look at the racial integration of the area in 1920-1940.
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- Apr 28, 2022
- 8 min
Then and Now: The Intersection of Senate Avenue and Washington Street
Taking a look at the history of downtown Indianapolis using a 'then and now' scene from the sketches of Christian Schrader.
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- Apr 16, 2022
- 6 min
Writing on the Wall: J.H. Kroh and the Construction of the Fall Creek Wall
Exploring the history behind an inscription from 1907 I found on a flood wall along Fall Creek in Indianapolis.
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- Apr 8, 2022
- 14 min
Water Over Water: The History of the Fall Creek Aqueduct
This post looks at the history of the Fall Creek Aqueduct, which in some form, has been carrying the Central Canal over the creek since 1838
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- Mar 27, 2022
- 11 min
Indiana's Bulwark of Civilization: The Construction of the State Library
Exploring the history behind the construction of the Indiana State Library by the William P. Jungclaus Co.
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- Mar 15, 2022
- 6 min
The Bridges of Marion County
Exploring the history behind several old Indianapolis bridge photos won from an eBay auction.
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- Mar 5, 2022
- 9 min
The History of Morse Reservoir: Born of a Need
Exploring the history of Geist Reservoir, a major component in the race to secure water sources for Indianapolis in the mid-20th century.
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- Feb 26, 2022
- 7 min
Harriette Bailey Conn: A Groundbreaking Life and Career
Exploring the life and career of pioneering attorney and Butler-Tarkington resident, Harriette Bailey Conn.
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- Feb 12, 2022
- 16 min
Indianapolis Fire Department and the 1973 Grant Fire: “The finest moment this department ever had.”
Examining one of the largest fires in the history of Indianapolis, and the efforts of the Indianapolis Fire Department in fighting the fire.
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- Jan 30, 2022
- 6 min
The Other Indianapolis City Market
Indianapolis once had two official city markets. This post explores the history of the now long-gone Western Market House.
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- Jan 27, 2022
- 4 min
The Gazette and 200 Years of Newspapers in Indianapolis
Exploring the history of 200 years of newspapers in Indianapolis by looking at the February 11, 1822 edition of the Indianapolis Gazette.
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- Jan 18, 2022
- 5 min
Stereographing History: The Marion County Courthouse
Analyzing a recent eBay find of images from the old Marion County courthouse formerly located in downtown Indianapolis.
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- Jan 10, 2022
- 7 min
"Biggest Little Thoroughfare in Indianapolis": The History of Pearl Street
Exploring the history of Pearl Street, the biggest 'little' street in Indianapolis.
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- Dec 30, 2021
- 8 min
Changing Course: The Diversion of Fall Creek
Exploring the history behind the city of Indianapolis changing the course of Fall Creek near downtown.
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- Dec 22, 2021
- 6 min
Construction of an Icon: Building the Circle Tower
Exploring the history of the Circle Tower in Indianapolis, designed by Rubush & Hunter, and constructed by the William P. Jungclaus Co.
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- Dec 16, 2021
- 4 min
Edward Eickhoff and the Pioneering of the Christmas Tree Farm in Indianapolis
Exploring the history of Edward Eickhoff and the history of his Christmas tree farm in Indianapolis.
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- Dec 7, 2021
- 6 min
Tragedy on the Honey Bee Line: The Sahara Grotto Interurban Crash of 1927
Exploring one of the most deadly interurban crashes in Indiana history which occurred on the east side of Indianapolis along Emerson Ave.
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- Nov 22, 2021
- 7 min
Uncovering the Remains of the Shortridge High School Athletic Field
Examining the remains of the former Shortridge High School football field which was once located in Butler-Tarkington.
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- Nov 8, 2021
- 3 min
Historical Track of a 'Hurricane' in Central Indiana
Hurricanes don't directly hit Indiana, but in the early years of Indianapolis, 'hurricane' was a generic term for severe weather.
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- Oct 29, 2021
- 10 min
Panorama of White River State Park: A Closer Look
Exploring several highlights contained within a 1981 panoramic photo taken of Indianapolis from a vantage point in White River State Park.
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- Oct 18, 2021
- 5 min
A Residential Island In the Valley Neighborhood
Exploring the history of a remnant of the larger residential neighborhood which used to make up The Valley area of West Indianapolis
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- Oct 2, 2021
- 9 min
eBay Find: Nathaniel West and the Purchase of Land in Indianapolis
Exploring the history behind a historical document found on eBay which details the sale of land early in the history of Indianapolis.
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- Sep 21, 2021
- 5 min
Beverly Gardens and Berkley Knoll: Different Names For The Same Neighborhood Landmark
This short post looks at the Berkley Knoll, a unique feature in Butler Tarkington featuring a central grassy plaza in place of a street.
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- Sep 12, 2021
- 15 min
Selecting the Seat of Government: The Expedition to Locate the Site of Indianapolis
Exploring the expedition to locate the site of the seat of government for the state of Indiana, and the future site of Indianapolis.
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- Sep 6, 2021
- 6 min
Watercraft on the Canal and the Sinking of the Indiana
Exploring the history of boating on the Central Canal in Indianapolis, and the sinking of the paddleboat Indiana on that waterway.
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- Aug 27, 2021
- 9 min
Remembering the 12th Street and Canal Crossing Through the Photography of O. James Fox
Exploring the history of the neighborhood around 12th Street and the Canal in Indianapolis through the photography of O. James Fox.
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- Aug 12, 2021
- 12 min
A River Runs Through It, But We'd Rather Have a Lake: The Fairview Park Reservoir
Celebrating 3 years of the Class 900 Indy, this is an expanded version of the blog's first post looking at the proposed White River Lake.
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- Aug 8, 2021
- 11 min
Constructing a Legacy: William P. Jungclaus and the Building of Indianapolis
Exploring the history of William P. Jungclaus and the founding of the present day Jungclaus Campbell general contracting firm.
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