Mailbag

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: 1701 Gent Avenue

Reader’s Question: Can you provide the history of who owned the property at 1701 Gent Avenue and the businesses that occupied it over the years? ~ Jeff C. HI’s Answer: For readers who may not be...

9 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild

Reader’s Question: My daughter-in-law recently became a member of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. Could you provide some history of the organization and its activities? ~ Carol C., Carmel HI’s Answer: St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild is an Indianapolis area volunteer...

1 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Indianapolis Public Library

Reader’s Question: I heard that the CEO of the Indianapolis Public Library was conducting tours of IPL facilities all around the city. I’m curious to know when Indianapolis first opened a public library and where the early...

32 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Trinity Episcopal Church

Reader’s Question: I live in the neighborhood of Trinity Episcopal Church. I understand that it was not originally called Trinity. Can you provide its previous name, as well as a little of the church’s history? ~ Jay van S., Historic...

10 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Indianapolis Victim on the USS Maine

Reader’s Question: Last week, I tweeted some photos that I took at Crown Hill Cemetery of the grave of Harry Keys, an Indianapolis resident who was on the ill-fated USS Maine. My tweets got the attention of...

9 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Warfleigh

Reader’s Question: I have lived on the south side of Indianapolis my entire life, so I am not very well-acquainted with other parts of the city. Recently, I had an appointment on the north side and was driving...

15 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Stone Bridge Over Pleasant Run

Reader’s Question: There is a beautiful stone bridge over Pleasant Run Parkway near Colorado Avenue. Would you have any idea when it was built? Local historians have researched to no avail, but they believe it...

19 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: 1215 Kessler Boulevard East Drive

Reader’s question: There is a large white frame house on Kessler Boulevard, a couple of blocks east of the Monon Trail, that I have admired for years. It appears to be much older than the homes...

60 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Christmas, A Century Ago

Reader’s Question: Could you provide some details about the ways in which Christmas was celebrated in Indianapolis, a century ago? ~ Mary A., Indianapolis HI’s Answer: Many of the facets of Christmas as it is celebrated today...

11 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: 1037-1039 East Tabor Street

Reader’s Question: My brother and I have purchased 1037-1039 East Tabor Street and are completely redoing it. We would like to know when the structure was built, who built it, and any information you might have about people who...

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: The Meadows

Reader’s Question: I grew up in Ft. Wayne in the 1950s and 1960s, but I often spent weekends and holidays in Indianapolis with my grandparents. I have fond memories of visiting their apartment in The...

35 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Martindale-Brightwood Families

Reader’s Question: I was wondering if you had any information on prominent families in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, from the late 1800s to the 1940s? Can you provide any names and addresses? ~ Jerome J. HI’s Answer: ...

21 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Tee Pee Restaurants

Reader’s Question: When I was in grade school, my older sisters always raved about the Tee Pee. By the time I was a teenager, though, it was gone. Can you give me a little history...

47 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Old Settlers Reunion

Reader’s Question: I saw a post on a Facebook group’s page about an Old Settlers Reunion. Would you have any information on that event? ~ Catharine T. HI’s Answer: The Old Settlers Reunion was an...

7 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: 2147 North Talbott Street

Reader’s Question: I own several properties in the vicinity of 22nd and Talbott. I am intrigued by a building at 2147 N. Talbott Street, which has the word “POWER” carved in a stone above its...

22 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Indianapolis’ First Public Schools, Part Two

Reader’s Question: In your recent article on schools, I did not see any information about the Calvin Fletcher School. Wasn’t it one of IPS’s earliest grade schools? ~ Peggy H., Indianapolis HI’s Answer: In the previous Mailbag column...

8 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Indianapolis’ First Public Schools

Reader’s Question: What were the first public schools in Indianapolis, and where were they located? ~ Ann F., Indianapolis HI’s Answer: From the time non-native settlers began to populate the area that in 1821 became the City...

71 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Boulders Alongside Fall Creek

Reader’s Question: There once were two large boulders on the shore of Fall Creek, just west of College Avenue. Bronze plaques were embedded in the boulders, commemorating two drowning victims. Was there once a swimming beach at...

13 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Union Park Place

Reader’s Question: Since moving into my home two years ago, I have occasionally heard the neighborhood referred to as Union Park Place. It was my understanding when I bought the property that it was in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood. ...

3 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Wood Lawn and Fletcher Place

Reader’s Question: I am interested in the history of Wood Lawn, Calvin Fletcher’s farm. By all accounts, the Fletchers came to Indianapolis in the 1820s, and the land that had been their home was known as Fletcher...

3 Comments

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