At Your Leisure

Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: The Hotel Antlers

The Scottish Rite Cathedral looms large on the northern fringes of downtown. Aside from the towering neo-Gothic architecture, a primary reason for its great presence is the existence of vast parking lots surrounding the building....

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: We Gotta Get Out of This Place

On these colder-than-cold winter days, one’s mind tends to wander to locales with a more temperate climate. Hawaii, the Caribbean, or… Utah. Anywhere the sun is shining and the weather is above 70. Although Indianapolis is...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

A promotional magazine ad from the late 1950s. (Image: Indiana State Library) Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and for many romance is, literally, on the menu. Few things set the mood more than a candle-lit dinner...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure, Bicycles At Your Leisure: The Cyclorama Fad Hits Indianapolis

The northwest corner of Ohio and Illinois. The Cyclorama towered over the neighboring Rink Store. (Image: Bass Photo Company Collection, Indiana Historical Society) The first buildings that always stuck out when driving into Indianapolis in the 1980s...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: The Downfall of a Landmark

It would be unusual for a hotel to advertise that “*fill in the blank famous person* died here.” However, when tragedies occur, the general public tends to have a long memory, perhaps sharing in whispered tones what...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Businesses That Called The Claypool “Home”

Today’s modern downtown convention hotels tend to be imposing structures. Often entrances are set back from the street, and sweeping porte-cochères cover guests as they step from their vehicles, almost directly into the lobby. This was not...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Key West Shrimp House

The view driving down South Madison Avenue would never be mistaken for being particularly scenic. Acres of post-war housing yielded to many discount stores, payday loan outlets, and used car dealerships, and then, of course,...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Post Christmas Movies

The exterior when the building was known as the Loew’s State in the 1920’s. The storefront to the south of the main entrance is Brosnan’s, which specialized in outfitting women’s fashion. (Image: Bass Photo Co....

Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: The Hotel Washington

The Hotel Washington as it appeared in 1913, shortly after completion. (Image: Bass Photo Collection, Indiana Historical Society) Towering 17 stories over east Washington Street, The Symphony Center stands out gracefully among the other early...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Jackets Required

1930s postcard showing the interior that became the King Cole. (Image: eBay) Do you have a special occasion coming up or just want to impress a first date? What would be your go-to destination? For...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: A Night of Theater

This exterior shot from the 1967 Butler yearbook must have been taken shortly after completion due to the fresh pavement and lack of landscaping (Image: Butler University) An annual holiday tradition takes the stage when...

Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: When Black Friday Comes!

Happy Black Friday! After stuffing ourselves on the most thankful of holidays, many will trek out today to find that sought-after deal of the century with nearly every other Indy area resident. This typically leads...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Fire on Ice. A Look at Pro Hockey

The Indianapolis Checkers laced up between 1939 and 1952. (Image: eBay) The puck has dropped on Indy’s next chapter of professional hockey after a decade hiatus. The Indy Fuel have started their inaugural season at...

Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Rubbing Elbows with Indy’s Elite at The Marott Hotel

An early postcard showing the Marott Hotel and Meridian Street Bridge. (Image: eBay) Today’s visitors to the Circle City have a wide array of lodging options when looking for a place to spend the night....

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At you Leisure: At the Game

As the Indiana Pacers tip off the new season, fans are anxious to see if the team can overcome adversity and match last year’s whirlwind winning pace to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals....

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Dancing on the Roof

The back side of this 1943 postmarked postcard reads “I am dancing at the Indiana Roof, beautiful combination Night Club and Ballroom, where Indianapolis dances every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.” (Image: eBay) The Indiana...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Theater Under the Stars

Butler students clowning around on the stage of the newly completed Brown Theater in 1955. (Image: Butler University) Life just seems better outdoors. During summer months, it is always enjoyable to eat dinner on one...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: At the Museum

John Herron Art Institute as it appeared in 1906. (Image: eBay) The Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the crown jewels of our city. Few may realize that the facility near 38th Street and...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: At the Movies

Cinema has always been an important aspect to leisure time activities in the Circle City. Throughout the years, the art form has morphed from opulent downtown movie palaces to the drive-in theaters of the 50’s...

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Posted in: At Your Leisure At Your Leisure: Rene’s French Restaurant

What comes to mind when you think of French cuisine? Could it be an elegant dining room with tables draped in white adorned with intricate place settings? Perhaps an image of meals served with loaves of...

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