General

Posted in: General Twain Spoke Here: Plymouth Church

Of all the famed authors to have visited Victorian era Indianapolis, who would you most want to see? A top contender would have to be Mark Twain, who stopped in Indianapolis in January and February...

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Posted in: General Flats Lost: The Lexington

Image: Lexington Flats, 1906. Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society Ever noticed how very few large apartment buildings are built in parts to face into each other, with a courtyard centerpiece? To this day, few...

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Posted in: General Marion County Jail: Indy’s Shawshank

In June 1891, the County Commissioners decided not to build the new jail on the courthouse square. Commissioner Emrich had purchased the northwest corner of Alabama and Maryland streets, fronting 155 feet on Alabama and...

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Posted in: General Where the YWCA, Bobbs-Merrill and IUPUI Intersected

When passing some hulking-whole-block consuming property like the Minton-Capehart Federal building, It’s easy to get distracted. For the brutalist architecture lovers, how much they love it; for those (like me) who are more into the...

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Posted in: General The “New” English Hotel

Are you one of those people who turns lemons into lemonade? One time Indianapolis resident and dentist, Dr. S. B. Friedland sure was. It was the end of 1948, and the wrecking balls were looming....

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Posted in: General The Butcher, Miller, Love Murder and Madam

Local butcher Milton Pouder ambled a few blocks south to his butcher shop on East Washington every day from North East street, at the corner of New York. He lived in a house on the...

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Posted in: General When Saks came to Indy

If you like a spot of shopping or just window wishing at a high end retailer, this one’s for you. Saks Fifth Avenue is home to some of the most extravagant items available in Indiana’s...

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Posted in: General Grand Entrance: Union Station

It’s no secret that Union Station is one of the most beautiful historic buildings left in Indianapolis. It just celebrated its 130th anniversary on September 17. And while it’s been well covered on our site...

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Posted in: General, Ladies Lounge A Local Place for Young Women: Y. W. C. A.

Christian women, that is. And white. At least in the beginning. It was getting close to 1900 and many young ladies were making their way to the big city of Indianapolis in search of employment....

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Posted in: General When Bad Things Happen to Good Buildings

It’s usually under the guise of “improvement” and “modernization,” but even with less than perfect vision, they aren’t fooling any of us: bad things happen to good buildings. You know it when you see it:...

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Posted in: General Should You Get a Souvenir?

The last time you took a trip somewhere special, did you get a souvenir? If you didn’t, you are probably in the minority. For some reason, many of us want to take home a physical...

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Posted in: General Changing Street Names: 38th and Maple

If you’ve lived in Indianapolis for any measurable amount of time, you’ve likely heard that 38th Street used to be Maple Road, but did you know Maple Road used to be 38th Street? Huh? Yep,...

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Posted in: General Formerly on the Circle: American Central Life Building

If you’re the type to contemplate the stories behind buildings and locations, this may be of interest to you. If you’ve done so from the vantage point of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument looking northeast,...

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Posted in: DeJa Vu, General Deja Vu Tuesday: The Year the Legislature Outlawed Hate

In January 1945, Raymond C. Vick made the front page of The Indianapolis Star when he became the first person in Indiana to obtain a low-interest loan through the GI Bill of Rights. The WW...

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Posted in: General Back to the When

38 North Pennsylvania Street Years of Operation: 1932-1997 Notable: Before Office Depot or Staples there was a local leader in office supplies called Stationers. The Ober family-owned company opened in 1933 on North Pennsylvania. Two years...

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Posted in: General Tiffany Benedict Browne- Founder

Exuberant, vintage wearing, world-traveling, quirky idea machine and creator of Historic Indianapolis.com, Tiffany Benedict Browne hated high school history. After spending her formative years in exotic locales such as Exeter and Visalia, California; Schenectady, New...

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Posted in: General Our Mission and Goal

Historic Indianapolis.com ignites interest, creates conversations and sparks action. HI kindles a passion for preserving and promoting the city’s past to enhance the enjoyment of the present and inspire for the future....

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