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...

Read More 47 Comments

Posted in: Indianapolis Collected Indianapolis Collected: Tribute to a “Hero in Overalls”

Classes were dismissed early on the afternoon of April 12, 1907, so that students and teachers at Shortridge High School could attend a funeral in the school’s auditorium, Caleb Mills Hall. The deceased individual was an...

Read More 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...

Read More 71 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Northwest Corner of Illinois and 34th Streets

Reader’s Question: I’m interested in knowing what the building used to be that is located on the northwest corner of Illinois and 34th Streets.  I look forward to seeing what you discover. Thank you. ~...

Read More 22 Comments

Posted in: Misc Mondays Misc. Monday: Early Indy High Schools

Image: HI collection As a respite from the seemingly constant negative news about education and schools, we reflect, if only briefly, to our city’s early success as a place with beloved and highly regarded schools....

Read More 2 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Music Memory Contest

Reader’s Question: I remember participating in a grade school activity back in the 1950s, called the Music Memory Contest.  I haven’t heard of it for many years, so I assume that the program no longer exists.  Can you provide a little history...

Read More 36 Comments

Posted in: Friday Favorites Friday Favorite: Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library

Historic Legacy * Education Resource * Local Treasure To some avid HI architecture fans, he might not be considered  the “favorite Indy Vonnegut,” but to others, it will always be author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. –who emerged as...

Read More 1 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Kurt Vonnegut and the Red Key Tavern

Reader’s Question: In recent weeks, I have seen several references on social media to an article that claims the Red Key Tavern was Kurt Vonnegut’s hangout.  Can you confirm or deny this information?  ~ Peter D., Indianapolis HI’s Answer: ...

Read More 22 Comments

Posted in: Penny Post Penny Post: Shortridge High School

Thumbing through stacks of postcards, on the hunt for pictures and stories from a particular town … in a particular time frame, I’ve discovered that it’s inevitable to find duplicates. Imagine the postcard rack in...

Read More 7 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Renowned Egyptologist from Indianapolis

Reader’s Question: What can you tell me about Indianapolis-born Egyptologist George Reisner?  I’m interested in learning about his Indianapolis years.  ~ Peter Der Manuelian, Cambridge, Massachusetts HI’s Answer:  George Andrew Reisner Jr., is considered one of...

Read More 5 Comments

Posted in: Mailbag HI Mailbag: Interesting People Who Were From Indianapolis

Reader’s Question: Could you provide some information about notable people who were from Indianapolis but did not remain in Indianapolis all of their lives.  ~ Hattie Byland, Riverside, California     HI’s Answer:  As Indianapolis-born author Kurt Vonnegut once...

Read More 10 Comments

Posted in: Building Language Building Language: Ornament

Ornament. I’ve realized I’ve thrown this architectural term around with some frequency without really analyzing what it means to the historic architecture of Indianapolis. Ornament is a broad term that applies to architectural detail that...

Read More 1 Comments