5 days ago6 minThe Fast and Furious Life of the Brookside Park Bicycle Track Exploring the history of the Brookside Park Bicycling Track in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Jun 247 minThe George Kessler Maps of Indy ParksA quick look at several historic Indianapolis park maps prepared by landscape architect George Kessler, and how those parks appear today.
Jun 27 minThe 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.
May 269 minThe 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.
May 148 minExploring 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.
May 68 minThe Early Integration of the Butler-Tarkington NeighborhoodFirst in a series of posts about the history of Butler-Tarkington, here we look at the racial integration of the area in 1920-1940.
Apr 298 minThen 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.
Apr 166 minWriting 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.
Apr 814 minWater Over Water: The History of the Fall Creek AqueductThis 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
Mar 2811 minIndiana'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.
Mar 166 minThe Bridges of Marion CountyExploring the history behind several old Indianapolis bridge photos won from an eBay auction.
Mar 59 minThe 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.
Feb 267 minHarriette Bailey Conn: A Groundbreaking Life and CareerExploring the life and career of pioneering attorney and Butler-Tarkington resident, Harriette Bailey Conn.
Feb 1316 minIndianapolis 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.
Jan 306 minThe Other Indianapolis City Market Indianapolis once had two official city markets. This post explores the history of the now long-gone Western Market House.
Jan 274 minThe Gazette and 200 Years of Newspapers in IndianapolisExploring the history of 200 years of newspapers in Indianapolis by looking at the February 11, 1822 edition of the Indianapolis Gazette.
Jan 185 minStereographing History: The Marion County Courthouse Analyzing a recent eBay find of images from the old Marion County courthouse formerly located in downtown Indianapolis.
Jan 117 min"Biggest Little Thoroughfare in Indianapolis": The History of Pearl StreetExploring the history of Pearl Street, the biggest 'little' street in Indianapolis.
Dec 30, 20218 minChanging Course: The Diversion of Fall CreekExploring the history behind the city of Indianapolis changing the course of Fall Creek near downtown.
Dec 23, 20216 minConstruction 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.
Dec 17, 20214 minEdward Eickhoff and the Pioneering of the Christmas Tree Farm in IndianapolisExploring the history of Edward Eickhoff and the history of his Christmas tree farm in Indianapolis.
Dec 8, 20216 minTragedy on the Honey Bee Line: The Sahara Grotto Interurban Crash of 1927Exploring one of the most deadly interurban crashes in Indiana history which occurred on the east side of Indianapolis along Emerson Ave.
Nov 23, 20217 minUncovering 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.
Nov 8, 20213 minHistorical 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.
Oct 29, 202110 minPanorama 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.
Oct 18, 20215 minA 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
Oct 3, 20219 mineBay 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.
Sep 21, 20215 minBeverly Gardens and Berkley Knoll: Different Names For The Same Neighborhood LandmarkThis short post looks at the Berkley Knoll, a unique feature in Butler Tarkington featuring a central grassy plaza in place of a street.
Sep 12, 202115 minSelecting the Seat of Government: The Expedition to Locate the Site of IndianapolisExploring the expedition to locate the site of the seat of government for the state of Indiana, and the future site of Indianapolis.
Sep 6, 20216 minWatercraft 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.
Aug 28, 20219 minRemembering the 12th Street and Canal Crossing Through the Photography of O. James FoxExploring the history of the neighborhood around 12th Street and the Canal in Indianapolis through the photography of O. James Fox.
Aug 13, 202112 minA River Runs Through It, But We'd Rather Have a Lake: The Fairview Park ReservoirCelebrating 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.
Aug 9, 202111 minConstructing a Legacy: William P. Jungclaus and the Building of IndianapolisExploring the history of William P. Jungclaus and the founding of the present day Jungclaus Campbell general contracting firm.
Aug 2, 20215 minAn Original Indianapolis Greenway: The Fall Creek Trail and CorridorExploring the history of the Fall Creek Trail, the first greenway in Indianapolis.
Jul 24, 20215 minConstructing a Neighborhood Landmark: Meridian Street Methodist ChurchExploring the history of the Meridian Street Methodist Church's location in Butler-Tarkington.
Jul 14, 20215 minUncovering the Past: The Ruins at the JW Marriott Reminiscing about the discovery of a potentially historical structure during the construction of the JW Marriott Hotel.
Jul 8, 202119 minThe Native American Presence at the Founding of Indianapolis Exploring the history of the Native American population in and around Indianapolis at the time of the city's founding in 1820 and 1821.
Jun 29, 202110 minJuly 4th in the Circle City: Celebrating Independence in Indianapolis in 1822, 1876, and 1976Exploring how the Fourth of July was celebrated at three points in the history of Indianapolis.
Jun 22, 202112 minAn Indianapolis Landmark: The National Road Covered BridgeExploring the history of the National Road Bridge over the White River through the sketches of Christian Schrader and other sources.
Jun 13, 20215 minHistory Lost: Southeast Corner of Boulevard PlaceExamining the history of a building at 40th and Boulevard which was destroyed by fire in 2020.
Jun 6, 202113 minThe Poor Farm Property Today: A Lost Cemetery, Solar Power, and a Breakthrough in HousingExploring the history of the Marion County Poor Farm site in the latter half of the 20th century.
May 29, 20216 minGoing the Distance: Daredevil Lockwood and the Indianapolis Endurance Drives of 1923 and 1926Exploring the 1923 and 1926 endurance automobile drives in Indianapolis by Daredevil Lockwood.
May 19, 202119 minA Source of Controversy and Relief: The Marion County Poor FarmExploring the complicated history of the Marion County, Indiana poor farm from its founding to the middle of the 20th century.
May 6, 20211 minIndianapolis History on the AirwavesAn FYI about two recent radio broadcasts featuring two of my Class900 Indy blog posts.
Apr 25, 20215 minThe Fair at 311 W. Washington Street Taking a look at the history of the Fair Building, a mainstay of the 300 hundred block of W. Washington Street in Indianapolis since 1920.
Apr 3, 20216 minDiscovering the Venerable behind Flackville Exploring the background of the neighborhood today known as 'Venerable Flackville.'
Mar 12, 20218 minWater On High: The Blue Ridge Water Tank in Butler-Tarkington Exploring the history of the former Blue Ridge Water Tank in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.
Feb 4, 202112 minThe (Almost) State Centennial PlazaExploring the plan, and fate, of the Indiana Centennial Plaza
Jan 8, 20218 mineBay Find: The Assignment of Dower to Elizabeth MartindaleExploring the background of a document found on ebay which dates to 1840's Indianapolis and addresses the assignment of a widow's dower.
Dec 18, 202016 minWilliam Watson Woollen and His Garden: Early Environmental Conservation in Indianapolis Looking at the efforts of William Watson Woollen to protect nature and to establish Woollen's Gardens of Birds and Botany.