Articles: 16 Tech 16 Tech, a life sciences research community located on the near westside of Indianapolis, was first conceived following a 2002… Read More »16 Tech Agriculture and Agribusiness Indianapolis has a long history of producing crops and livestock and continues to be one of Indiana’s largest agricultural contributors. … Read More »Agriculture and Agribusiness Al Green’s Drive-in Al Green, his siblings Belle Green and Nate Green, and their father founded Al Green’s Drive-in in 1947. Unable to… Read More »Al Green’s Drive-in The American Indian Center of Indiana Inc. The American Indian Center of Indiana (AICI) Inc., located in Indianapolis, is a non-profit organization that provides services to the… Read More »The American Indian Center of Indiana Inc. Angie’s List Angie’s List is a consumer ratings company that helps shoppers find the best local service providers through ratings and reviews… Read More »Angie’s List R. B. Annis (Feb. 22, 1907-Sept. 6, 1999). Robert Baines Annis was born in Connersville, Indiana, to Elvin and Mabel (née Baine). He… Read More »R. B. Annis Anthem, Inc. One of the largest health benefits providers in the United States, Anthem, Inc. was established in 1985 through the merger… Read More »Anthem, Inc. Applied Energy Service Corporation Applied Energy Service Corporation (AES) is the successor to Indianapolis Power and Light Company. Indianapolis Power and Light Predecessors, 1881-1891… Read More »Applied Energy Service Corporation The Art Assignment Hosted by Sarah Urist Green, a former curator of contemporary art at the , directed by Mark Olsen, and edited… Read More »The Art Assignment Herbert R. Baumeister (Apr. 7, 1947 – July 3, 1996). Indiana’s most notorious serial killer, Herbert R. Baumeister, was born in Indianapolis’ neighborhood… Read More »Herbert R. Baumeister Walter S. Blackburn (Feb. 21, 1938-Aug. 9, 2000). Walter Scott Blackburn was born on February 21, 1938, to Dr. (a minister and civic… Read More »Walter S. Blackburn Sol Blickman (Dec. 28, 1921-Nov. 26, 2006). Sol Blickman was born in Detroit, Michigan. A year later, the young Blickman family, Sol… Read More »Sol Blickman Bottleworks District Bottleworks is an urban mixed-use development located at the former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in downtown Indianapolis. Since its establishment in… Read More »Bottleworks District Camp Fire Inc. Though not officially incorporated until 1912, the Camp Fire Girls (later Camp Fire, Inc.) first began in 1910 under the… Read More »Camp Fire Inc. Canal and White River State Park The Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission selected the Canal and White River State Park area as one of Indianapolis’s due to… Read More »Canal and White River State Park Carmel Symphony Orchestra The Carmel Symphony Orchestra (CSO) began as a small community orchestra in 1975. Viktors Ziedonis, a immigrant who previously conducted… Read More »Carmel Symphony Orchestra Center For Leadership Development Indianapolis community leaders in education, philanthropy, and business who were interested in identifying and addressing the obstacles facing Indianapolis’ Black… Read More »Center For Leadership Development Chatterbox The Chatterbox Jazz Club, a tiny 900-square-foot bar located at the heart of the cultural district, is known for its… Read More »Chatterbox The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis After a visit to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in 1925, founded The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (TCM) with the help… Read More »The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Children’s Theater The Little Theater Society, now the , launched the first children’s theater in Indianapolis when it initiated “The Children’s Hour”… Read More »Children’s Theater Cinemas According to some historians, the first movie theater in Indianapolis was the Bijou (ca. 1906) on East Washington Street. The… Read More »Cinemas Citizens Energy Group Citizens Energy Group, formerly known as Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, was preceded by Consumers Gas Trust Company, the first… Read More »Citizens Energy Group Classical Music The earliest cultivators of “classical” or “serious” music were vocal groups, specifically church choirs and amateur singing societies. One of… Read More »Classical Music Conner Prairie Founded in 1964, Conner Prairie’s mission was to study and interpret the world of the early 19th-century settler in the… Read More »Conner Prairie Corteva Agriscience Corteva Agriscience is a successor company to DowElanco, an agribusiness that was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between… Read More »Corteva Agriscience Crazy Al’s Al Finch established Crazy Al’s, a restaurant and music venue, in 1973, at 5408 North College Avenue in what would… Read More »Crazy Al’s Crown Hill Cemetery Crown Hill Cemetery was officially incorporated as a nonprofit, nondenominational cemetery on September 25, 1863. Prior to Crown Hill, Greenlawn… Read More »Crown Hill Cemetery Harry A. Davis (May 21, 1914-Feb. 9, 2006). Harry Allen Davis was an Indianapolis-based artist and educator. While he was born in the… Read More »Harry A. Davis Department of Parks and Recreation The Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation oversees the Indianapolis and Marion County park system, which includes 212 parks, 11,258… Read More »Department of Parks and Recreation DigIndy The Indianapolis sewer system was originally built as a combined sewer system. Common from the late-1800s to the early-1900s, both… Read More »DigIndy Drive-In Restaurants Ordering food and having it delivered to your car became common in the 1930s when many families first owned an… Read More »Drive-In Restaurants Eagle Creek Park Before Eagle Creek Park was a municipal park, it was a 12-acre country estate called Eagle Crest Estate. purchased most… Read More »Eagle Creek Park Easterseals Crossroads In 1936, Sarah F. Gavin learned that 12 disabled teenagers had formed a social club. She and Mildred C. Mallory… Read More »Easterseals Crossroads Economic Club of Indiana The idea of forming an economic club in central Indiana came from members of the , who first discussed the… Read More »Economic Club of Indiana Elanco Animal Health Elanco is a global company that provides products and services to support livestock production and improve companion animal health. In… Read More »Elanco Animal Health Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company was founded on May 10, 1876, by Civil War veteran . Lilly began the company out… Read More »Eli Lilly and Company Emerson Theater On December 11, 1927, Albert H. Heady opened the Eastland Theater at 4630 East 10th Street, within the eponymously named… Read More »Emerson Theater Eskenazi Health Foundation, Inc. Established as the Indiana Health Institute in 1985 by the Board of Trustees, the organization was renamed Eskenazi Health Foundation… Read More »Eskenazi Health Foundation, Inc. John Evans (Mar. 9, 1814-July 3, 1897). Evans was born in Warren County, Ohio, to Quaker parents. He attended the Hicksite school… Read More »John Evans ExactTarget Early digital marketing company. Recognizing the potential of targeted email marketing, first-time software entrepreneurs Scott Dorsey, brother-in-law Chris Baggott, and… Read More »ExactTarget Fairbanks Hospital One of the oldest addiction treatment hospitals in the U.S., Fairbanks Hospital serves men, women, and adolescents with alcohol and… Read More »Fairbanks Hospital Fall Creek Waterway Fall Creek, a major tributary of White River within Marion County, was one of the earliest focal points of Indianapolis.… Read More »Fall Creek Waterway The Fault in Our Stars John Green is an award-winning author and YouTube content creator from Indianapolis. In January 2012, he released his sixth novel,… Read More »The Fault in Our Stars Federation Of German Societies Deutsche Unterstützungs Vereins (UVs), or German Support Societies, promoted social connection, preserved German language and culture, offered financial assistance in… Read More »Federation Of German Societies Festivals Like most large cities, Indianapolis has a sizeable number of annual festivals focused on the arts and culture, food, sports,… Read More »Festivals Garfield Park and Conservatory In 1874, the Jeffersonville Railroad sold a 98-acre tract along its right of way to a group of entrepreneurs who… Read More »Garfield Park and Conservatory Jean Garrigue (Dec. 8, 1914-Dec. 27, 1972). Jean Garrigue was an influential poet known for her technical skill, unique lyrical style, and… Read More »Jean Garrigue Geist Reservoir Realizing that the could not continue to meet the growing city’s water demands, the had the foresight to purchase 5,727… Read More »Geist Reservoir Gen Con Gen Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America with more than 500 exhibiting companies, around 300 games… Read More »Gen Con Gregory and Appel Fred A. Gregory and John J. Appel formed an insurance and real estate business in 1884, sharing a desk in… Read More »Gregory and Appel Hampton Sisters Aletra Hampton (Oct. 8, 1915 – Nov. 13, 2007); Carmelita Hampton (Nov. 16, 1916 – May 16, 1987); Virtue Hampton… Read More »Hampton Sisters Hannah House Hannah House, located at 3801 Madison Avenue, is a historic house full of history and haunted tales. Paranormal experts and… Read More »Hannah House Gregory S. Hardesty (Dec. 29, 1968-June 22, 2021). Greg S. Hardesty was a local acclaimed chef and mentor, recognized for his contributions that… Read More »Gregory S. Hardesty Heidelberg Haus Cafe & Bakery The Heidelberg Haus Café & Bakery has showcased culture in Indianapolis since Jurgen Jungbauer first opened it in 1968. Jungbauer… Read More »Heidelberg Haus Cafe & Bakery Helene Louise Hibben (Nov. 18, 1882–Mar. 18, 1968). Helene Louise Hibben was born in Indianapolis to Thomas and Jennie Hibben. She had four… Read More »Helene Louise Hibben Historic Districts Indianapolis has 13 local historic districts, 5 conservation districts, and 19 National Register districts. Not only are these districts important… Read More »Historic Districts Holliday Park (founder of the Indianapolis News) and his wife , both active philanthropists, deeded their 80-acre estate to the city in… Read More »Holliday Park Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard (Apr. 7, 1938 -Dec. 29, 2008). Born and raised in Indianapolis, Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard was a legendary jazz trumpeter… Read More »Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard Indiana Gas Company Indiana Gas began as the Indiana Gas & Water Company, which was formed in September 1945 from the natural gas… Read More »Indiana Gas Company Indiana Historical Society On December 11, 1830, civic leaders met in Indianapolis to form the Indiana Historical Society (IHS). They established as “objects”… Read More »Indiana Historical Society Indiana Medical History Museum The Indiana Medical History Museum is dedicated to preserving the Old Pathology Building at as well as the history of… Read More »Indiana Medical History Museum Indiana State Library The largest and one of the oldest libraries in the state, the Indiana State Library was established in 1825 to… Read More »Indiana State Library Indiana Women’s Prison The Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls was founded in 1869 in Indianapolis, making it the first female correctional… Read More »Indiana Women’s Prison Indianapolis Art Center An art study group for adults was created in 1934 after 10 founding female members met with a Works Progress… Read More »Indianapolis Art Center Indianapolis Clowns The longest-playing Black professional team in U.S. history, the Indianapolis Clowns began as the Miami Giants and were financed by… Read More »Indianapolis Clowns Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission The Indiana Historic Preservation Commission is a government agency that functions in cooperation with the City of Indianapolis to preserve… Read More »Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Indianapolis has always had an impressive jazz scene, with greats such as , Slide Hampton, and all getting their starts… Read More »Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Residents of early Indianapolis prided themselves on the orderliness of the community. The peace was kept with a town marshal,… Read More »Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Infosys Infosys is an India-based technology company focused on business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services. One of its U.S. technology… Read More »Infosys International Violin Competition of Indianapolis The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) got its start in 1982 because of the work of Cathedral Arts, Inc.… Read More »International Violin Competition of Indianapolis Ivy Tech Community College Indiana Vocational Technical College is a public institution that offers a wide range of technical, semi-technical, and vocational programs in… Read More »Ivy Tech Community College Jazz Although not a principal originator of jazz music like New Orleans, New York, and Chicago, Indianapolis possesses a rich jazz… Read More »Jazz Jazz Kitchen The Jazz Kitchen is a jazz club and restaurant located on the corner of 54th Street and College Avenue, an… Read More »Jazz Kitchen Jesus House After Pastor William Bumphus was released from 23 years of imprisonment in 1978, he founded Jesus Inside Prison Ministry (JIPM)… Read More »Jesus House Alonzo (Pookie) Johnson (Oct. 5, 1927-Sept. 3, 2005). Alonzo Ernest Johnson, known as “Pookie,” was born in Indianapolis. He grew up downtown, attending… Read More »Alonzo (Pookie) Johnson James Louis (J. J.) Johnson (Jan. 22, 1924 -Feb. 4, 2001). James Louis (J. J.) Johnson entered the world of music at nine years old.… Read More »James Louis (J. J.) Johnson William P. Jungclaus (Feb. 22, 1849-Oct. 30, 1924). William P. Jungclaus immigrated to the United States in 1870. He was born in a… Read More »William P. Jungclaus Junior League of Indianapolis The Junior League of Indianapolis (JLI) is a women’s organization that trains volunteers as community leaders to improve local social,… Read More »Junior League of Indianapolis Key Learning Community The Key School (later Key Learning Community) was founded by eight teachers in 1987 after three years of research, a… Read More »Key Learning Community Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place has served the and beyond since it first opened in 1988. Jessie Johnson White established… Read More »Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place Landscape Architecture Upon her arrival in Indianapolis in 1837 Eunice Bullard Beecher, minister Henry Ward Beecher’s wife, noted that the town’s homes… Read More »Landscape Architecture Pauline (Polly) Jontz Lennon (Oct. 26, 1928-Aug. 25, 2015). Pauline Jontz Lennon (née Prather) was born on October 26, 1928, in Ohio. She spent… Read More »Pauline (Polly) Jontz Lennon Bobby (Slick) Leonard (July 17, 1932-Apr. 13, 2021). William Robert Leonard, known as “Slick,” was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was one… Read More »Bobby (Slick) Leonard Libraries and Archives Indianapolis has been home to numerous libraries and archives since its founding in 1820. The idea of public libraries was… Read More »Libraries and Archives Long’s Bakery Long’s Bakery is a local staple known for its signature hot, glazed donuts. Carl and Mildred Long opened the bakery… Read More »Long’s Bakery Pershing Edwin (P. E.) MacAllister (Aug. 30, 1918-Oct. 23, 2019). Pershing Edwin (P. E.) MacAllister was born in Greenbay, Wisconsin, to E. W. and Hilda… Read More »Pershing Edwin (P. E.) MacAllister Marjorie Main (Feb. 24, 1890–Apr. 10, 1975). Born near , Indiana, Marjorie Main was a film and stage actress with over 80… Read More »Marjorie Main Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe (Apr. 15, 1929-Feb. 11, 2016). Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe was born in Sullivan, Indiana. His family later moved to Indianapolis… Read More »Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe Massachusetts Avenue Located on the northeast side of the city is Massachusetts Avenue–one of four diagonal streets originally laid out in plat… Read More »Massachusetts Avenue George Philip Meier (Sept. 16, 1864-Sept. 18, 1932). George Philip Meier was a leading designer of women’s apparel in the United States and… Read More »George Philip Meier Nellie Simmons Meier (Nov. 10, 1862-Mar. 24, 1944). Nellie Palmer Simmons Meier was an internationally known palmist—dubbed the “Palmist to the Stars”—with a… Read More »Nellie Simmons Meier John Leslie (Wes) Montgomery (Mar. 6, 1923-June 15, 1968). Born John Leslie Montgomery in Indianapolis, Montgomery took up the guitar in 1943, joining the… Read More »John Leslie (Wes) Montgomery William Howard (Monk) Montgomery (Oct. 10, 1921-May 20, 1982). William Howard “Monk” Montgomery was born in Indianapolis. Monk, a member of the musical Montgomery… Read More »William Howard (Monk) Montgomery Morse Reservoir Howard Morse planned Indianapolis’ second reservoir, Morse Reservoir. The reservoir was built by the (now part of ), which also… Read More »Morse Reservoir Mug-n-Bun Mug-n-Bun, located at 5211 W. 10th Street in , is one of Indianapolis’ oldest continuously operating drive-in restaurants. It opened… Read More »Mug-n-Bun Museums Indianapolis has long been home to a variety of museums, many of them nationally acclaimed. These museums provide the community… Read More »Museums Newfields Newfields is a 152-acre campus that contains the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), Oldfields, and 100 Acres Park. One of… Read More »Newfields Parks and Greenspaces Indianapolis residents are served by more than 200 parks and over 11,000 acres of greenspace, though original plan for the did… Read More »Parks and Greenspaces Pharmacy The first pharmacy practitioner in what would become Indianapolis was likely an indigenous inhabitant who compounded medications from native plants.… Read More »Pharmacy Playground and Pool Movement The push for public playgrounds and swimming facilities in Indianapolis was part of the national progressive movement to save urban… Read More »Playground and Pool Movement Polk Sanitary Milk Company James T. Polk, a prominent businessperson from , Indiana founded Polk Sanitary Milk Company on July 1, 1893. Polk’s milk… Read More »Polk Sanitary Milk Company Public Utilities Public utility services are of recent origin, gradually evolving into their current form over the last century or so. Indianapolis… Read More »Public Utilities James (Yank) Rachell (Mar. 16, 1910-Apr. 9, 1997). James (Yank) Rachell was born in Brownsville, Tennessee. He spent his youth on a farm… Read More »James (Yank) Rachell Recycling Indianapolis has a dismal history with recycling. It did not become a priority until the 2000s when efforts were increased… Read More »Recycling Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center Indianapolis has been the location of a vast Veterans Administration (VA) hospital system since 1932. Through the efforts of Indiana… Read More »Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center Richard L. Roudebush (Jan. 18, 1918-Jan. 28, 1995). Richard L. Roudebush was born in , Indiana on January 18, 1918. He attended Hamilton… Read More »Richard L. Roudebush Ruoff Music Center Located southeast of Noblesville in Hamilton County, the Deer Creek Music Center, now Ruoff Music Center, was completed in 1989… Read More »Ruoff Music Center Salesforce Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform that integrates marketing, sales, commerce, service, and IT to help businesses… Read More »Salesforce Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital Eskenazi Hospital, formerly Wishard Hospital and City Hospital, is Indianapolis’ oldest hospital. For most of its history, the primary purpose… Read More »Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital SoBro While the specific area that constitutes South Broad Ripple (SoBro) is disputed, its boundaries can roughly be considered Kessler Boulevard… Read More »SoBro Ron Spencer (Nov. 18, 1946-Sept. 14, 2020). Ron Spencer was an important figure in the development of theater in Indianapolis in the… Read More »Ron Spencer Steer-In The restaurant at 5130 East 10th Street on the outskirts of opened in the early 1930s as a frozen custard… Read More »Steer-In Stout’s Shoe Store In 1886, Harry Stout and William Bristor opened a small off-the-shelf shoe store at 318 Massachusetts Avenue that specialized in… Read More »Stout’s Shoe Store Super Bowl XLVI The construction of , which replaced the outdated as home of the , led civic leaders to make bids to… Read More »Super Bowl XLVI Theaters Indianapolis’s first theatrical production took place in 1823 on New Year’s Eve. A traveling theatrical troupe performed in the dining… Read More »Theaters Turtles All The Way Down John Green, an award-winning author of young adult fiction from Indianapolis, published his seventh book, Turtles All the Way Down,… Read More »Turtles All The Way Down USS Indianapolis Memorial In 1930, construction began on a new heavy cruiser for the U.S. Navy. It was the second of four Navy… Read More »USS Indianapolis Memorial The Vogue A landmark for the neighborhood, located at 6259 North College Avenue, the Vogue opened in 1938 as an upscale movie… Read More »The Vogue Walther Cancer Foundation In 1985, Dr. Joseph E. Walther sold the and used the $37 million in proceeds to establish the Walther Medical… Read More »Walther Cancer Foundation Joseph E. Walther (Nov. 24, 1912-Dec. 10, 2005). Joseph Edward Walther was born and raised in Rushville, Indiana. In his youth, Walther was… Read More »Joseph E. Walther White River The White River begins in Randolph County and flows through 362 miles of Central and Southern Indiana before meeting up… Read More »White River Barbara Evans Zimmer (Dec. 13, 1929-Aug. 15, 2010). Barbara Jean Evans Zimmer was born on December 13, 1929, in Minneapolis, though she lived… Read More »Barbara Evans Zimmer
16 Tech 16 Tech, a life sciences research community located on the near westside of Indianapolis, was first conceived following a 2002… Read More »16 Tech
Agriculture and Agribusiness Indianapolis has a long history of producing crops and livestock and continues to be one of Indiana’s largest agricultural contributors. … Read More »Agriculture and Agribusiness
Al Green’s Drive-in Al Green, his siblings Belle Green and Nate Green, and their father founded Al Green’s Drive-in in 1947. Unable to… Read More »Al Green’s Drive-in
The American Indian Center of Indiana Inc. The American Indian Center of Indiana (AICI) Inc., located in Indianapolis, is a non-profit organization that provides services to the… Read More »The American Indian Center of Indiana Inc.
Angie’s List Angie’s List is a consumer ratings company that helps shoppers find the best local service providers through ratings and reviews… Read More »Angie’s List
R. B. Annis (Feb. 22, 1907-Sept. 6, 1999). Robert Baines Annis was born in Connersville, Indiana, to Elvin and Mabel (née Baine). He… Read More »R. B. Annis
Anthem, Inc. One of the largest health benefits providers in the United States, Anthem, Inc. was established in 1985 through the merger… Read More »Anthem, Inc.
Applied Energy Service Corporation Applied Energy Service Corporation (AES) is the successor to Indianapolis Power and Light Company. Indianapolis Power and Light Predecessors, 1881-1891… Read More »Applied Energy Service Corporation
The Art Assignment Hosted by Sarah Urist Green, a former curator of contemporary art at the , directed by Mark Olsen, and edited… Read More »The Art Assignment
Herbert R. Baumeister (Apr. 7, 1947 – July 3, 1996). Indiana’s most notorious serial killer, Herbert R. Baumeister, was born in Indianapolis’ neighborhood… Read More »Herbert R. Baumeister
Walter S. Blackburn (Feb. 21, 1938-Aug. 9, 2000). Walter Scott Blackburn was born on February 21, 1938, to Dr. (a minister and civic… Read More »Walter S. Blackburn
Sol Blickman (Dec. 28, 1921-Nov. 26, 2006). Sol Blickman was born in Detroit, Michigan. A year later, the young Blickman family, Sol… Read More »Sol Blickman
Bottleworks District Bottleworks is an urban mixed-use development located at the former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in downtown Indianapolis. Since its establishment in… Read More »Bottleworks District
Camp Fire Inc. Though not officially incorporated until 1912, the Camp Fire Girls (later Camp Fire, Inc.) first began in 1910 under the… Read More »Camp Fire Inc.
Canal and White River State Park The Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission selected the Canal and White River State Park area as one of Indianapolis’s due to… Read More »Canal and White River State Park
Carmel Symphony Orchestra The Carmel Symphony Orchestra (CSO) began as a small community orchestra in 1975. Viktors Ziedonis, a immigrant who previously conducted… Read More »Carmel Symphony Orchestra
Center For Leadership Development Indianapolis community leaders in education, philanthropy, and business who were interested in identifying and addressing the obstacles facing Indianapolis’ Black… Read More »Center For Leadership Development
Chatterbox The Chatterbox Jazz Club, a tiny 900-square-foot bar located at the heart of the cultural district, is known for its… Read More »Chatterbox
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis After a visit to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in 1925, founded The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (TCM) with the help… Read More »The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Children’s Theater The Little Theater Society, now the , launched the first children’s theater in Indianapolis when it initiated “The Children’s Hour”… Read More »Children’s Theater
Cinemas According to some historians, the first movie theater in Indianapolis was the Bijou (ca. 1906) on East Washington Street. The… Read More »Cinemas
Citizens Energy Group Citizens Energy Group, formerly known as Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, was preceded by Consumers Gas Trust Company, the first… Read More »Citizens Energy Group
Classical Music The earliest cultivators of “classical” or “serious” music were vocal groups, specifically church choirs and amateur singing societies. One of… Read More »Classical Music
Conner Prairie Founded in 1964, Conner Prairie’s mission was to study and interpret the world of the early 19th-century settler in the… Read More »Conner Prairie
Corteva Agriscience Corteva Agriscience is a successor company to DowElanco, an agribusiness that was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between… Read More »Corteva Agriscience
Crazy Al’s Al Finch established Crazy Al’s, a restaurant and music venue, in 1973, at 5408 North College Avenue in what would… Read More »Crazy Al’s
Crown Hill Cemetery Crown Hill Cemetery was officially incorporated as a nonprofit, nondenominational cemetery on September 25, 1863. Prior to Crown Hill, Greenlawn… Read More »Crown Hill Cemetery
Harry A. Davis (May 21, 1914-Feb. 9, 2006). Harry Allen Davis was an Indianapolis-based artist and educator. While he was born in the… Read More »Harry A. Davis
Department of Parks and Recreation The Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation oversees the Indianapolis and Marion County park system, which includes 212 parks, 11,258… Read More »Department of Parks and Recreation
DigIndy The Indianapolis sewer system was originally built as a combined sewer system. Common from the late-1800s to the early-1900s, both… Read More »DigIndy
Drive-In Restaurants Ordering food and having it delivered to your car became common in the 1930s when many families first owned an… Read More »Drive-In Restaurants
Eagle Creek Park Before Eagle Creek Park was a municipal park, it was a 12-acre country estate called Eagle Crest Estate. purchased most… Read More »Eagle Creek Park
Easterseals Crossroads In 1936, Sarah F. Gavin learned that 12 disabled teenagers had formed a social club. She and Mildred C. Mallory… Read More »Easterseals Crossroads
Economic Club of Indiana The idea of forming an economic club in central Indiana came from members of the , who first discussed the… Read More »Economic Club of Indiana
Elanco Animal Health Elanco is a global company that provides products and services to support livestock production and improve companion animal health. In… Read More »Elanco Animal Health
Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company was founded on May 10, 1876, by Civil War veteran . Lilly began the company out… Read More »Eli Lilly and Company
Emerson Theater On December 11, 1927, Albert H. Heady opened the Eastland Theater at 4630 East 10th Street, within the eponymously named… Read More »Emerson Theater
Eskenazi Health Foundation, Inc. Established as the Indiana Health Institute in 1985 by the Board of Trustees, the organization was renamed Eskenazi Health Foundation… Read More »Eskenazi Health Foundation, Inc.
John Evans (Mar. 9, 1814-July 3, 1897). Evans was born in Warren County, Ohio, to Quaker parents. He attended the Hicksite school… Read More »John Evans
ExactTarget Early digital marketing company. Recognizing the potential of targeted email marketing, first-time software entrepreneurs Scott Dorsey, brother-in-law Chris Baggott, and… Read More »ExactTarget
Fairbanks Hospital One of the oldest addiction treatment hospitals in the U.S., Fairbanks Hospital serves men, women, and adolescents with alcohol and… Read More »Fairbanks Hospital
Fall Creek Waterway Fall Creek, a major tributary of White River within Marion County, was one of the earliest focal points of Indianapolis.… Read More »Fall Creek Waterway
The Fault in Our Stars John Green is an award-winning author and YouTube content creator from Indianapolis. In January 2012, he released his sixth novel,… Read More »The Fault in Our Stars
Federation Of German Societies Deutsche Unterstützungs Vereins (UVs), or German Support Societies, promoted social connection, preserved German language and culture, offered financial assistance in… Read More »Federation Of German Societies
Festivals Like most large cities, Indianapolis has a sizeable number of annual festivals focused on the arts and culture, food, sports,… Read More »Festivals
Garfield Park and Conservatory In 1874, the Jeffersonville Railroad sold a 98-acre tract along its right of way to a group of entrepreneurs who… Read More »Garfield Park and Conservatory
Jean Garrigue (Dec. 8, 1914-Dec. 27, 1972). Jean Garrigue was an influential poet known for her technical skill, unique lyrical style, and… Read More »Jean Garrigue
Geist Reservoir Realizing that the could not continue to meet the growing city’s water demands, the had the foresight to purchase 5,727… Read More »Geist Reservoir
Gen Con Gen Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America with more than 500 exhibiting companies, around 300 games… Read More »Gen Con
Gregory and Appel Fred A. Gregory and John J. Appel formed an insurance and real estate business in 1884, sharing a desk in… Read More »Gregory and Appel
Hampton Sisters Aletra Hampton (Oct. 8, 1915 – Nov. 13, 2007); Carmelita Hampton (Nov. 16, 1916 – May 16, 1987); Virtue Hampton… Read More »Hampton Sisters
Hannah House Hannah House, located at 3801 Madison Avenue, is a historic house full of history and haunted tales. Paranormal experts and… Read More »Hannah House
Gregory S. Hardesty (Dec. 29, 1968-June 22, 2021). Greg S. Hardesty was a local acclaimed chef and mentor, recognized for his contributions that… Read More »Gregory S. Hardesty
Heidelberg Haus Cafe & Bakery The Heidelberg Haus Café & Bakery has showcased culture in Indianapolis since Jurgen Jungbauer first opened it in 1968. Jungbauer… Read More »Heidelberg Haus Cafe & Bakery
Helene Louise Hibben (Nov. 18, 1882–Mar. 18, 1968). Helene Louise Hibben was born in Indianapolis to Thomas and Jennie Hibben. She had four… Read More »Helene Louise Hibben
Historic Districts Indianapolis has 13 local historic districts, 5 conservation districts, and 19 National Register districts. Not only are these districts important… Read More »Historic Districts
Holliday Park (founder of the Indianapolis News) and his wife , both active philanthropists, deeded their 80-acre estate to the city in… Read More »Holliday Park
Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard (Apr. 7, 1938 -Dec. 29, 2008). Born and raised in Indianapolis, Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard was a legendary jazz trumpeter… Read More »Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard
Indiana Gas Company Indiana Gas began as the Indiana Gas & Water Company, which was formed in September 1945 from the natural gas… Read More »Indiana Gas Company
Indiana Historical Society On December 11, 1830, civic leaders met in Indianapolis to form the Indiana Historical Society (IHS). They established as “objects”… Read More »Indiana Historical Society
Indiana Medical History Museum The Indiana Medical History Museum is dedicated to preserving the Old Pathology Building at as well as the history of… Read More »Indiana Medical History Museum
Indiana State Library The largest and one of the oldest libraries in the state, the Indiana State Library was established in 1825 to… Read More »Indiana State Library
Indiana Women’s Prison The Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls was founded in 1869 in Indianapolis, making it the first female correctional… Read More »Indiana Women’s Prison
Indianapolis Art Center An art study group for adults was created in 1934 after 10 founding female members met with a Works Progress… Read More »Indianapolis Art Center
Indianapolis Clowns The longest-playing Black professional team in U.S. history, the Indianapolis Clowns began as the Miami Giants and were financed by… Read More »Indianapolis Clowns
Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission The Indiana Historic Preservation Commission is a government agency that functions in cooperation with the City of Indianapolis to preserve… Read More »Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission
Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Indianapolis has always had an impressive jazz scene, with greats such as , Slide Hampton, and all getting their starts… Read More »Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Residents of early Indianapolis prided themselves on the orderliness of the community. The peace was kept with a town marshal,… Read More »Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Infosys Infosys is an India-based technology company focused on business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services. One of its U.S. technology… Read More »Infosys
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) got its start in 1982 because of the work of Cathedral Arts, Inc.… Read More »International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Ivy Tech Community College Indiana Vocational Technical College is a public institution that offers a wide range of technical, semi-technical, and vocational programs in… Read More »Ivy Tech Community College
Jazz Although not a principal originator of jazz music like New Orleans, New York, and Chicago, Indianapolis possesses a rich jazz… Read More »Jazz
Jazz Kitchen The Jazz Kitchen is a jazz club and restaurant located on the corner of 54th Street and College Avenue, an… Read More »Jazz Kitchen
Jesus House After Pastor William Bumphus was released from 23 years of imprisonment in 1978, he founded Jesus Inside Prison Ministry (JIPM)… Read More »Jesus House
Alonzo (Pookie) Johnson (Oct. 5, 1927-Sept. 3, 2005). Alonzo Ernest Johnson, known as “Pookie,” was born in Indianapolis. He grew up downtown, attending… Read More »Alonzo (Pookie) Johnson
James Louis (J. J.) Johnson (Jan. 22, 1924 -Feb. 4, 2001). James Louis (J. J.) Johnson entered the world of music at nine years old.… Read More »James Louis (J. J.) Johnson
William P. Jungclaus (Feb. 22, 1849-Oct. 30, 1924). William P. Jungclaus immigrated to the United States in 1870. He was born in a… Read More »William P. Jungclaus
Junior League of Indianapolis The Junior League of Indianapolis (JLI) is a women’s organization that trains volunteers as community leaders to improve local social,… Read More »Junior League of Indianapolis
Key Learning Community The Key School (later Key Learning Community) was founded by eight teachers in 1987 after three years of research, a… Read More »Key Learning Community
Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place has served the and beyond since it first opened in 1988. Jessie Johnson White established… Read More »Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place
Landscape Architecture Upon her arrival in Indianapolis in 1837 Eunice Bullard Beecher, minister Henry Ward Beecher’s wife, noted that the town’s homes… Read More »Landscape Architecture
Pauline (Polly) Jontz Lennon (Oct. 26, 1928-Aug. 25, 2015). Pauline Jontz Lennon (née Prather) was born on October 26, 1928, in Ohio. She spent… Read More »Pauline (Polly) Jontz Lennon
Bobby (Slick) Leonard (July 17, 1932-Apr. 13, 2021). William Robert Leonard, known as “Slick,” was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was one… Read More »Bobby (Slick) Leonard
Libraries and Archives Indianapolis has been home to numerous libraries and archives since its founding in 1820. The idea of public libraries was… Read More »Libraries and Archives
Long’s Bakery Long’s Bakery is a local staple known for its signature hot, glazed donuts. Carl and Mildred Long opened the bakery… Read More »Long’s Bakery
Pershing Edwin (P. E.) MacAllister (Aug. 30, 1918-Oct. 23, 2019). Pershing Edwin (P. E.) MacAllister was born in Greenbay, Wisconsin, to E. W. and Hilda… Read More »Pershing Edwin (P. E.) MacAllister
Marjorie Main (Feb. 24, 1890–Apr. 10, 1975). Born near , Indiana, Marjorie Main was a film and stage actress with over 80… Read More »Marjorie Main
Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe (Apr. 15, 1929-Feb. 11, 2016). Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe was born in Sullivan, Indiana. His family later moved to Indianapolis… Read More »Charles Wesley (Chuck) Marlowe
Massachusetts Avenue Located on the northeast side of the city is Massachusetts Avenue–one of four diagonal streets originally laid out in plat… Read More »Massachusetts Avenue
George Philip Meier (Sept. 16, 1864-Sept. 18, 1932). George Philip Meier was a leading designer of women’s apparel in the United States and… Read More »George Philip Meier
Nellie Simmons Meier (Nov. 10, 1862-Mar. 24, 1944). Nellie Palmer Simmons Meier was an internationally known palmist—dubbed the “Palmist to the Stars”—with a… Read More »Nellie Simmons Meier
John Leslie (Wes) Montgomery (Mar. 6, 1923-June 15, 1968). Born John Leslie Montgomery in Indianapolis, Montgomery took up the guitar in 1943, joining the… Read More »John Leslie (Wes) Montgomery
William Howard (Monk) Montgomery (Oct. 10, 1921-May 20, 1982). William Howard “Monk” Montgomery was born in Indianapolis. Monk, a member of the musical Montgomery… Read More »William Howard (Monk) Montgomery
Morse Reservoir Howard Morse planned Indianapolis’ second reservoir, Morse Reservoir. The reservoir was built by the (now part of ), which also… Read More »Morse Reservoir
Mug-n-Bun Mug-n-Bun, located at 5211 W. 10th Street in , is one of Indianapolis’ oldest continuously operating drive-in restaurants. It opened… Read More »Mug-n-Bun
Museums Indianapolis has long been home to a variety of museums, many of them nationally acclaimed. These museums provide the community… Read More »Museums
Newfields Newfields is a 152-acre campus that contains the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), Oldfields, and 100 Acres Park. One of… Read More »Newfields
Parks and Greenspaces Indianapolis residents are served by more than 200 parks and over 11,000 acres of greenspace, though original plan for the did… Read More »Parks and Greenspaces
Pharmacy The first pharmacy practitioner in what would become Indianapolis was likely an indigenous inhabitant who compounded medications from native plants.… Read More »Pharmacy
Playground and Pool Movement The push for public playgrounds and swimming facilities in Indianapolis was part of the national progressive movement to save urban… Read More »Playground and Pool Movement
Polk Sanitary Milk Company James T. Polk, a prominent businessperson from , Indiana founded Polk Sanitary Milk Company on July 1, 1893. Polk’s milk… Read More »Polk Sanitary Milk Company
Public Utilities Public utility services are of recent origin, gradually evolving into their current form over the last century or so. Indianapolis… Read More »Public Utilities
James (Yank) Rachell (Mar. 16, 1910-Apr. 9, 1997). James (Yank) Rachell was born in Brownsville, Tennessee. He spent his youth on a farm… Read More »James (Yank) Rachell
Recycling Indianapolis has a dismal history with recycling. It did not become a priority until the 2000s when efforts were increased… Read More »Recycling
Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center Indianapolis has been the location of a vast Veterans Administration (VA) hospital system since 1932. Through the efforts of Indiana… Read More »Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center
Richard L. Roudebush (Jan. 18, 1918-Jan. 28, 1995). Richard L. Roudebush was born in , Indiana on January 18, 1918. He attended Hamilton… Read More »Richard L. Roudebush
Ruoff Music Center Located southeast of Noblesville in Hamilton County, the Deer Creek Music Center, now Ruoff Music Center, was completed in 1989… Read More »Ruoff Music Center
Salesforce Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform that integrates marketing, sales, commerce, service, and IT to help businesses… Read More »Salesforce
Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital Eskenazi Hospital, formerly Wishard Hospital and City Hospital, is Indianapolis’ oldest hospital. For most of its history, the primary purpose… Read More »Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital
SoBro While the specific area that constitutes South Broad Ripple (SoBro) is disputed, its boundaries can roughly be considered Kessler Boulevard… Read More »SoBro
Ron Spencer (Nov. 18, 1946-Sept. 14, 2020). Ron Spencer was an important figure in the development of theater in Indianapolis in the… Read More »Ron Spencer
Steer-In The restaurant at 5130 East 10th Street on the outskirts of opened in the early 1930s as a frozen custard… Read More »Steer-In
Stout’s Shoe Store In 1886, Harry Stout and William Bristor opened a small off-the-shelf shoe store at 318 Massachusetts Avenue that specialized in… Read More »Stout’s Shoe Store
Super Bowl XLVI The construction of , which replaced the outdated as home of the , led civic leaders to make bids to… Read More »Super Bowl XLVI
Theaters Indianapolis’s first theatrical production took place in 1823 on New Year’s Eve. A traveling theatrical troupe performed in the dining… Read More »Theaters
Turtles All The Way Down John Green, an award-winning author of young adult fiction from Indianapolis, published his seventh book, Turtles All the Way Down,… Read More »Turtles All The Way Down
USS Indianapolis Memorial In 1930, construction began on a new heavy cruiser for the U.S. Navy. It was the second of four Navy… Read More »USS Indianapolis Memorial
The Vogue A landmark for the neighborhood, located at 6259 North College Avenue, the Vogue opened in 1938 as an upscale movie… Read More »The Vogue
Walther Cancer Foundation In 1985, Dr. Joseph E. Walther sold the and used the $37 million in proceeds to establish the Walther Medical… Read More »Walther Cancer Foundation
Joseph E. Walther (Nov. 24, 1912-Dec. 10, 2005). Joseph Edward Walther was born and raised in Rushville, Indiana. In his youth, Walther was… Read More »Joseph E. Walther
White River The White River begins in Randolph County and flows through 362 miles of Central and Southern Indiana before meeting up… Read More »White River
Barbara Evans Zimmer (Dec. 13, 1929-Aug. 15, 2010). Barbara Jean Evans Zimmer was born on December 13, 1929, in Minneapolis, though she lived… Read More »Barbara Evans Zimmer