“ Every major U.S. city should have a ‘HI’. ”
Peter Der Manuelian, Philip J. King Professor of Egyptology, Harvard University
Explore Historic Indianapolis
Historic Indianapolis is a free online media channel connecting readers to places, people and other pieces of the city’s past. Our stories tend to focus geographically within the 465 loop, and with time stamps of at least 50 years ago. We are an independently run business offering registered users free access to our content library, which contains over 2000 articles. We endeavor to inspire you and to help you fall in love with the city you thought you knew, or one you never knew.
Featured HI-lights
This Moment is History in the Making
image: from The Recorder Collection, Indiana Historical Society HistoricIndianapolis.com was conceived to contribute to the local community by creating new points of connection from old places, people and events. Since this website primarily focuses on the built...
Then & Now: Capitol and Washington, Southeast Corner
From Bass Photo Collection, Indiana Historical Society Former building on Southeast corner of Capitol and Washington. One of many properties under the huge Hyatt Hotel complex between Capitol Avenue and Washington, Maryland, Illinois and streets with an interesting...
Then & Now: Ardmore Apartments
Ardmore Block, 1936. Image courtesy: Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society Preservation month may be over, but on this website, its a point of passionate advocacy at all times. Another one of Indy's long-forgotten corner buildings-- that seems like it...
HI….jinks
Hi Friends and Fans-- My name is Tiffany and I am the captain and cruise director here at "H.I." I would like to sincerely thank every reader, contributor, commenter, sponsor, donor, newsletter subscriber, social media follower and cheerleader out there for making...
Preservation Denied: Bates/ When Building
Newspapers in February 1874 announced that Hervey Bates, Jr. would soon commence building a new block where "Sharpe's Cigar store now stands." The first brick wasn't placed until June, and yet Bates still expected the place to be open by December. By September, a...
Preservation Denied: The Cleaveland/ Magnolia Building
Magnolia Building. Image: Bass Photo Collection, Indiana Historical Society It was May 1875 when John B. Cleaveland filed for a building permit for a new five-story brick structure at the intersection of Maryland, Kentucky, and Tennessee (now Capitol), estimating the...
Superior Design: Pembroke Arcade
Original architectural rendering of Pembroke Arcade, Washington Street by Vonnegut & Bohn What would it be like if Indianapolis created such superior architectural design, it made us a destination for tourists and seekers of manmade beauty? Actually, that used to...
War of the State Flowers
It was never about roses. That's our national flower. This tale is about Indiana's official state flower and arguments are still being made to change it again. Indiana overflows with flora and fauna (hello, dynamic allergy season) and despite a number of changes over...
Will Indy’s First Female Architect Please Stand Up?
"Our profession, as an entirety is not fitted for women," an anonymous male architect proclaimed in an August 1900 Indianapolis article. The same anonymous architect expounded further on the topic of architecture + women: "A young woman studied for a year or two under...
Then & Now: The Bertha Ballard
Post card of the Bertha Ballard Home from the flickr collection of Evan Finch A la "Pulp Fiction" let's start with the ending: this place is now an ugly surface parking lot, between Roberts Park Church and an utilitarian service station. For the majority of the 1900s,...
Phyllis Wheatley Y. W. C. A.
Anyone who has ever gotten anywhere in life has had help. Whether family, friends, teachers, community members-- no one is completely self-made. What a noble endeavor to provide a leg up to those whose circumstances are more challenged. Providing community, shelter...
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