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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 55 Opinions
515 S West Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46225, United States
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55 Opinions
Regina Spector Concert
weird pumkin # 2 (this one is for lszkopiec)
Bagatti
A variety of Memorials at Crown Hill Cemetery
I just visited Indianapolis. When I got to the downtown area I noticed a few things:
- The diagonal streets were very reminscent of Washington, DC
- The beautiful war memorial (with the circular street around it) was very reminscent of Columbus Circle in NYC
I'm wondering if anyone knows if the original designers of Indianapolis incorporated these aspects of older cities into their own?
Most curious,
Robert W.
hello Robert
Working backward on forum today so just saw this :-)
The link below brings you to a long, interesting site about Indianapolis history. The extract shows you that town developers were indeed influenced by Washington City etc. Extract is about half-way down on the site, as you scroll.
"Mr. Blythe lived to an advanced age is the city, and was one of the
earliest of the enterprising men who laid the foundations of the city's
port-packing prosperity. Of Mr. Fordham little appears to hare been known
at the time, and nothing can be learned now. Ralston was a Scotchman, a
man of marked ability and rare attainments as well as high character. When
quite young he bad been employed is assisting the laying out of Washington
City, and maybe got then the preference for wide streets and oblique avenues
which he exhibited so signally and beneficially here."
http://members.aol.com/barbhutch1/MarionCoIN-EarlyHistory-index.html
happy reading!
lou
Yes, Alexander Ralston was hired by the State of Indiana to design the new city of Indianapolis after its designation as the new capital of Indiana in 1821. Earlier, Alexander Ralston assisted the famous Pierre L'Enfant in designing the city of Washington D.C.
Hi--I realize the original question was written over 3 years ago, but wanted to respond that my great-great-great grandfather was Alexander Ralston,the planner of what is known as "the mile square." The state of Indiana commissioned Alexander Ralston to design its new capital in 1821. He was an apprentice to the French architect, Pierre l'Enfant, and also helped l'Enfant plan Washington DC. According to things I have read, Ralston never envisioned the city to expand beyond the "mile" (it is now, including surrounding suburbs, 600 square miles!). The "Governor's Circle" was at the center, and the governor's mansion was to be built there. Such a mansion was never built there, although the cetner served as a market commons for over 6 years. Citing a lack of privacy, no governor wanted to live there--despite an elaborate mansion having been built there in 1827. It was demolished in 1857. Interestingly, my great-grandfather, Samuel M. Ralston, was governor and senator of Indiana in the early 1900s, and, if the vision of Alexander had been realized, one of his descendants would have reaped the benefits.
The "circle" was called the governor's circle for years, but, at the turn of the century was better known as the "Monument Circle" because a 284-foot tall neoclassical limestone and bronze State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, designed by a German architect, was built--in 1901.
I, for one, appreciate you posting this ... even if it is 3 years "late". And it's amazing that you're able to trace your family history back that far. Thank you for the informative posting!!!
Robert
I have a lot of family here, so for me Indianapolis means good times, good food, and family get-togethers. Zionsville, just north of Indianapolis, is a well-to-do suburb which offers nice restaurants and shops, brick lined streets, and a friendly atmosphere. Also, autumn is beautiful here, with brillant colors and brisk cool air.
If you are familiar with the Shriners, you will be interested to know that Indianapolis has the International Headquarters for the Shiners in the form of the unique Murat Centre. This building is an Arabic-styled temple in the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District
A minaret "snakes" into the sky, and a towering, tiled desert scene is splashed across a portion of the exterior. And you know that in anything to do with the Shiners, this is the standard motif.
It's the largest of the Shine temples in North America, and the Murat claims the highest number of membrs. It is also the founding spot for the Shrine Circus.
This temple was built in three phases:
The plush Theatre was built in 1910.
The exotic Egyptian Room in 1923.
The popular Shrine Club in 1969.
Inside is a theatre that has a new bar that is believed to be the longest one in the state. The Egyptian Rooms are a "must see".
It has uneven opening times so to get inside, you need to call (317)635-2433 and ask for Lloyd B. Walton, public relations director. They say that he is the man with the best stories about the temple's history as well as many "paranormal happenings" that have gone on at the Murat Centre
This place is great for lunch. You walk in to the counter to order your food, if you look on the wall to your right you will see the menu board. At lunch there are 5 choices, and 2 of those are vegetarian. The guy that took my order was cool, he had one side of his head shaved and on side of his mustashe shaved and he wore top gun glasses. The restaurant is quite small but they have picnic seating out side too. I got a meal and a drink for exactly $5. I think that is a great deal! The interior of the restaurant is decorated with mardi gras beads and masks. When your food is ready they shout out your name for you to pick it up!
There are many local papers to read in there if you are alone. And another Yats is also located in Broadripple at 54th & College. I had the Spinach & Mushroom Etouffee. I never had this before, it was like a stew or thick sauce served over white rice and accompanied with a chunk of fresh bread. I thought it was good and it was a tad bit spicy. But if you like it more spicy there are hot sauce bottle around the room that you can use on your meal.
War Memorial Plaza
Most of the area immediately north of the circle in downtown Indy is a dedicated war memorial plaza. It starts just to the north of the main Post Office and features parks and monuments all the way to the library on St. Clair Street. In fact, even the monument in the center of the circle is a war memorial and houses the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum.
Since I have lived here in Indy, I make sure to visit the zoo each year. They have a really great deal happening there, a company from around the city sponsers an exhibit. Each summer there is a new exhibit or an exhibit that is redone. This year they redesigned the Oceans area. They created a shark petting area. There are 18 baby sharks that are in a 2ft' pool and they actually come close to allow people to touch them. I read on the website that they are taking out the forrest area and they are putting in a Koala exhibit. I am sure that will be a big attraction!
In the last 5 years EXHIBITS:
1.Butterflies
2.White Rhinos
3.Elephants
4.Dolphins
5.Oceans
6. Meerkats
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A: "Not been there myself but lots of VT members have and have left their comments on the Travel Guide..."
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Address: 515 S West Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46225, United States
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