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.
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...
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Above: The Grand Hotel in 1937 (Indiana Historical Society, William H. Bass Photo Company, #237,900) It goes without saying that the Claypool would be at the top of the list, but we just covered that a couple weeks ago. Here are five others worth revisiting: When...
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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...
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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...
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When Ralston originally platted the city of Indianapolis, he made no provision for parks. The populating of Indianapolis began in 1819 and by 1822, the population was approximately 500. Ten years later, the state legislature approved the lease of "square 25" of the...
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Early vintage luggage label from Claypool Hotel (Don't forget--May is preservation month! Which is why we are revisiting some of the best of what we've lost. Let's not do that again. Mmmmmk? ) Of all the hotels in Indianapolis, the Claypool Hotel was our superstar for...
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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...
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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...
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A neighborhood is not just a collection of houses in one geographic area. It's part of the identity of those who live there. It's a patchwork quilt of stories--to the city, state and families. It can be a source of pride and show what we value. When it comes to our...
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If you've ever driven from Meridian to Delaware Street on 10th, you may have noticed how it doesn't flow like other streets; it's disjointed. At Delaware, there is a small jog north before 10th Street continues to Alabama Street, though it is a one-way westbound....
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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...
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You want a really challenging brain teaser? Forget the New York Times crossword or advanced Sudoku. Trying to locate unidentified historic homes of Indianapolis takes a whole lot of recall and other skills. This postcard was post marked from Indianapolis on January...
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