Posted in: Historic Miscellania Agitatin’ on the Fourth of July: The Hidden History of Dietz’s Grove

On July 4, 1913, Americans celebrated their national holiday with pride as always, even as the world slouched toward the coming horrors of the First World War.  Yet workers in America’s mines, factories, and fields...

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Posted in: In the Park In The Park: Forest Manor Park

Welcome to Forest Manor Park, established in 1937 Welcome to Forest Manor Park on Indianapolis’s east side. This 18.8 acre neighborhood park was established in 1937, to meet the needs of families moving out of the...

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Posted in: WTH WTH Weds: Where’s a Good Balconette When You Need One?

It seems that this mid-century commercial building lost a wrestling match with a salt-box house. Pertinent Address: The 1000 Block of South Keystone...

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Posted in: Friday Favorites Friday Favorite: Woodruff Place Springtime

Oh the love and enthusiasm of Woodruff Place in the spring…this early (record-breaking, history-making) spring is making it hard not to be madly in love with the city–especially the historic neighborhoods. What is better than...

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Posted in: Then & Now Then and Now: Indianapolis Remodeling Company, 1422 N. Kealing Avenue and 1028 Windsor Street

As tastes and mores change, it is easy to judge past generations. Why didn’t they save the English Hotel and the old Marion County Court House? How could so many people have joined the Ku...

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Posted in: WTH WTH Weds: That’s Not Helping

A few months ago I penned a WTH column called McShambles where I spoke of the questionable improvements the owners of the former McShanes Bar had made to the exterior. Well if you haven’t driven by...

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Posted in: Then & Now Then and Now: The Dorman Street Saloon (aka “The Hog”), 901 Dorman Street

The Dorman Street Saloon has a long and fabled history in Cottage Home Neighborhood on the near eastside. Variously known as Anacker’s Tavern, the 9th Street Tavern, The Mahogany Bar (shortened to “The Hog,” a...

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Posted in: What’s in a Name? How Spades Park got its name

We pass so many names throughout the city–mostly of people long forgotten. So let’s rescue one from the history books and affirm that Spades Park did get its name from a man who donated the...

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