INDIANAPOLIS

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Aaron Belford Thompson

(Apr. 5, 1873-Jan. 26, 1929). Aaron Belford Thompson was born in Rossmoyne, Ohio, to John Henry and Clara Jane Thompson,… Read More »

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James L. Mitchell

(Sept. 29, 1834-Feb. 22, 1894). James L. Mitchell was born in Shelby County, Kentucky,...

Charles (Chuck) Workman

(Dec. 1, 1932-Mar. 25, 2012). Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Workman grew up in , the f...

Bobby (Slick) Leonard

(July 17, 1932-Apr. 13, 2021). William Robert Leonard, known as “Slick,” was born ...

Eliza Ann Blaker

(Mar. 4, 1854-Dec. 4, 1926). A native of Philadelphia, Blaker graduated from that city...

PLACES

Crispus Attucks High School

Crispus Attucks High School was the city’s response to pressure to segregate public secondary education. In the 1920s, most of… Read More »

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Southport

Southport is a small city in southern Marion County bounded by Buck Creek, Stop 11 Roa...

University Heights

University Heights is a southside community roughly bordered by Hanna Avenue, State an...

Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is the headquarters for the Scottish Rite Valley of Indian...

Stockyards

In 1876, Indianapolis financed the construction of the Union Railroad Transfer and Sto...

EVENTS

Marion County Fair

The first Marion County Fair was held in 1835 under the auspices of the Marion County Agricultural Society. Early fairs… Read More »

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Mexican-American War

On May 16, 1846, Governor James Whitcomb was given a federal quota to supply three reg...

Soap Box Derby

The Indianapolis Soap Box Derby began in 1934, one year after the initial race was hel...

Anniversary Celebrations

Although they might have gathered occasionally to remember and honor the pioneers, the...

Gold And Glory Sweepstakes

African American drivers and mechanics held the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes, an annual ...

ORGANIZATIONS

WXLW

On August 18, 1948, Radio Indianapolis Inc., led by Conrad Ruckelshaus and Frederic M. Ayres Jr., put WXLW on the… Read More »

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Indianapolis Jazz Foundation

Indianapolis has always had an impressive jazz scene, with greats such as , Slide Hamp...

William B. Burford Printing Company

The Burford Printing Company had its beginnings in the 1860s in a partnership between ...

Damien Center

In Indianapolis, the first large-scale care center for people with HIV/AIDS was the Da...

Bart Peterson Administration

A former Chief of Staff for Indiana Governor Evan Bayh, Bart Peterson was born, raised...

TOPICS

Downtown Development

Indianapolis has struggled with the issue of downtown development (or redevelopment) throughout much of the 20th century. The automobile’s popularity in… Read More »

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Social Work

Social work in the 19th century was generally a volunteer activity, carried out throug...

Catholics

As of 2020, Catholics comprised approximately 10 percent of Marion County’s populati...

Kessler’s Boulevard and Park System

Landscape architect and urban planner (1862-1923) of St. Louis, Missouri, created the ...

Law Schools

Legal education in the early 19th century consisted of studying as an apprentice under...

TIMELINES

Indianapolis Timelines

A collection of timelines about Indianapolis and selected institutions, topics and issues.

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FEATURES

Features

Features examine interesting Indianapolis places, stories, and events.

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EXHIBITS

Exhibits

Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Exhibits feature Gallery Exhibits of Indianapolis Artists and other cultural topics.

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ATLAS

Atlas

The Atlas explores the resources, infrastructure, and quality of life in Central Indiana.

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GUIDES

Guides

Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Guides provide information to help users understand and appreciate important institutions, services, and developments that affect the life, culture, and governance of Indianapolis and Central Indiana.

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