Columbia Club

Monument Circle

by sambarnett

   The heart of Indianapolis, Monument Circle is a great place to get your bearnings, people watch and admire some fine buildings. They almost shimmer in the sunlight, here are some of the highlights.

"Christ Church Cathedral"

   The oldest building on the circle, Christ Church Cathedral underwent a large renovation in the 1980s, but it looks very much like it did upon completion in the late 1850s. The Tiffany stained-glass windows are a popular feature.

"Columbia Club"

   Founded during the Benjamin Harrison presidential campaign of 1888, the Columbia Club is the oldest private club in the city and also serves as the headquarters for Indianapolis' Republican party.
   My adverisity to private clubs leaves me no interest in what goes on inside; the beautiful facade is enough for me to appreciate.

"Circle Theatre"

Aah, I have no pictures of the Circle Theatre! Looks like another trip to Indy for me in the near future. Built in 1916, this was one of the city's first movie houses. Purchased by a preservation group in the early 1980s, the Theatre underwent a large clean up and is now home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

"Circle Tower Building"

   The Circle Tower Building is my favorite. This 15-story Art Deco gem, completed in 1930, features an interesting stair step terrace design meant to allow sunlight to always fall on the nearby Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

"Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Monument"

   Last but defintely not least there is the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the heart of it all.

   Initial plans for the city called for the governors house to be placed at the center of the city. A house was built in 1827 but never occupied, the governor's wife refused to live there, saying she "did not want to hang her laundry out for public display." The house was demolished in 1857 and the grounds were used as grazing pasture until construction of the monument began in 1888. Fourteen years later an estimated 75,000 people turned out for the monument's dedication, a grand event featuring orations by Major General Lew Wallace and James Whitcomb Riley as well as a new march composed by John Philip Sousa.

Indianapolis

by highlandlaura

"Monument Circle"

Pic with the Monument in the background, at Monument Circle, Downtown Indy. Just across the street from the posh Columbia Club where I played jazz piano at a wedding reception, 2006.

"Indianapolis"

Indy has its own Opera Company and Ballet Company. Butler University is a school of performing arts, among other acedemics. Butler campus is made up of lovely old structures and I can recommend a delightful walk or drive thru the area. Indianapolis University, Indiana and Purdue University have colleges here, offering, among other things, medical and dental schools. Circle Center Mall downtown is a modern shopping arena, alive and active with bistros and live entertainment. Interesting old architecture is preserved in some of the downtown area. Lots of good restaurants. Year-round themed activities and festivals at many parks. Eagle Creek Park is on Eagle Creek Reservoir which is large enough for a variety of water sports events: sailing, racing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. Large numbers of deer still roam the parks and surrounding countryside. Speedway is a suburb or village on the West side of Indianapolis and the home of the Motor Speedway and Museum. Each year on Memorial Day Weekend, the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is run. Enthusiasts come from all over the world.

"Broad Ripple Village, Little Bohemia"

Broad Ripple Village, North of the downtown Circle is filled with unusual shops and cafes. It's a Little Bohemia on the Canal. Main streets are E62nd and College Ave.