Parks

From 38th Street to Maple Road and Back Again

Exploring the history behind 38th Street being renamed Maple Road in 1911.

Sep 36 min read

Guarding the Park: The Statue of Henry Lawton at Garfield Park

Exploring the history behind the statue of General Henry Lawton at Garfield Park in Indianapolis.

Aug 156 min read

Eagle Creek Reservoir and the Remains of a House on a Hill

Exploring the history of the site of a vanished estate on the shores of Eagle Creek Reservoir.

Jan 2112 min read

Finding the Remains of the Brookside Park Shelter House

Exploring the site of the Brookside Park shelter house in Indianapolis.

Oct 30, 20245 min read

The History of the Old Broad Ripple Park Swimming Pool and the 1924 Olympic Trials

Exploring the history of the old Broad Ripple Park pool, which hosted the swimming trials for the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

Jun 10, 202410 min read

"Probably the Handsomest Bridge Across Fall Creek": The History of the Capitol Avenue Bridge

Exploring the 100+ year history of the Capitol Avenue bridge over Fall Creek in Indianapolis.

Apr 22, 20248 min read

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.

Nov 29, 20236 min read

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.

Oct 2, 202318 min read

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.

Aug 12, 202312 min read

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.

May 9, 202311 min read

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.

Dec 22, 20223 min read

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.

Oct 18, 20226 min read

The Fast and Furious Life of the Brookside Park Bicycle Track

Exploring the history of the Brookside Park Bicycling Track in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jun 29, 20226 min read

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.

Jun 23, 20227 min read

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.

Jun 1, 20227 min read

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.

Apr 16, 20226 min read

Stereographing History: The Marion County Courthouse

Analyzing a recent eBay find of images from the old Marion County courthouse formerly located in downtown Indianapolis.

Jan 18, 20225 min read

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.

Oct 29, 202110 min read

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.

Sep 21, 20215 min read

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.

Sep 6, 20216 min read