View of downtown from the tomb of James Whitcomb Riley – Photo by Ryan Hamlett
This week, not a Room with a View, but rather a Tomb with a View. That of Hoosier poet and longtime Lockerbie Square resident, James Whitcomb Riley keeps watch over Indianapolis from atop the highest natural point within the pre-UniGov city limits, the “Crown Hill” of Crown Hill Cemetery, on the city’s near northwest side.
Where is your favorite spot for a city view?
Thanks to Unigov, the highest point in Indianapolis is in northwestern Pike Township, not Crown Hill as it so widely publicized.
What I love most about Riley’s tomb is the story that goes with it. It’s there because children banded together to raise the money for it. Money is still left at his tomb, and that money is given to Riley Children’s Hospital. But the view of downtown from there is fantastic.
A beautiful view. Have been “up there” to view the city’s skyline.
Highest point of natural land in Marion County?
Good place to read “Lil Orphan Annie” by Riley to kids — esp. in good weather.
Crown Hill rises to 842.6 feet above sea level. As Kevin mentions, there are places in NW Pike Township that get to about 912 feet above sea level. So while it is the highest point in the pre-UniGov Indianapolis City limits, it is NOT the highest point in Marion County.
I love the statue of the child sitting and reading at Riley’s gravesite. I love to wander through cemeteries in general. The gravestones from “back in the day” are so beautiful and I love to read the dates and inscriptions.
See the latest issue of Indianapolis Monthly for a discussion of Riley’s monument and the money that is left there. http://indianapolismonthly.com/hoosierist/story.aspx?ID=1926537
When I was in Indy a year ago, we went up to Riley’s tomb and took some great pictures, but while we were there we also saw 2 deer wandering around. I live in Tennessee now, and it’s not unusual here, but surprised me to find deer that far into town.
While they were growing up, I pointed out to my daughters several times, that despite its faults they should always remember that Indianapolis was a city that buried a poet at the highest point in the cemetery. Not a president, banker, industrialist, etc., but a poet.
For anyone interested in seeing what it’s like to stand at this beautiful spot in our city, I took the liberty of photographing a 360-degree experience and putting it on Google Maps. Such an inspiring view here. I will go back and check it out at peak foliage this fall for sure. I bet the place is on fire with color!
https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/108862144336967515203/gphoto/6043753417955948914