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 James Whitcomb Riley Museum
Home by deecat
Riley is remembered as the "Hoosier Poet; he was born in Indiana and wrote his poems about children and life in Indiana. We discovered that for the last 23 years of his life, he lived as a paying guest of his longtime friends, Major & Mrs. Charles L. Holstein.
This home is located in the historic Lockerbie Square Area at 528 Lockerbie Street. Riley loved this "dear little street" and so do thousands of visitors such as Jill and I. This home is though to be "one of the finest Victorian preservations in the United States". One of the reasons is that when the last Holstein died, the home was closed up and then renovated and turned into this museum home; thus, all the furniture, carpets, lighting, pictures, dishes, etc. are just as they were when Riley lived here.
James Whitcom Riley's poetry preserves the rural small towns in Indiana that no longer exist; this home preserves the "turn-of-the-century" way of life. It is a delight to experience it.
We discovered that in 1921, a group of friends formed the James Whicomb Riley Memorial Association to keep his legacy alive. In 2003, the Association changed its name to the Riley Children's Foundation with a commitment to serve Indiana's children.
They plan to pay for the maintenance and preservation of the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home for visitors to experience city life in Indiana at the turn of the century.
If you ever have the chance, visit this lovely place. It is something you will cherish. Leave a Comment
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 USS Indianapolis CA 35
National Monument by deecat
USS Indianapolis CA35 National Monument at Walnut Avenue on the Canal Water Walk.
Note: the photo is a post card I purchased because we could not see it It is a21-ton granite memorial to commemorate the brave crew of the USS Indiana that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1945; the ship sank, killing many of its company of 1,198 instantly. 400 survived.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Speedway has a two-and-a-half mile oval track that encircles a large plot of land that includes a golf course and the Hall of Fame Museum (which contains many Indianapolis 500 winning cars as well as a collection of antique and classic passenger cars.) We heard that you could take a tour via bus around the track.
The Indiana State Police Memorial honors Indiana State Police Heroes. This memorial was dedicted on July 2, 2002 and consists of 3 black granite tablets and an eternal flame. A "Walk of Remembrance" leads visitors to the memorial with the names of the 41 Indiana State Police personnel killed in the line of duty are inscribed on the outer tablets, while the center tablet is etched with the images of three troopers. The sound of Taps echoes on the hour from 6am-8pm
The Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial is the nation's only memorial honoring all recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for military valor. It was dedicated May 28, 1999, the last Memorial Day weekend of the 20th Century. It's a group of 27 curved glass walls, each between 7 and 10 feet tall. The walls represent the 15 conflicts, dating back to the Civil War. Located on the north bank of the Central Canal in White River State Park in Downtown Indianapolis, adjacent to Military Park.Note: two nights before we arrived, one of the glass partitions were SMASHED and the others were spray painted with unkind words. Needless to say, the city is furious Leave a Comment
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 Christ Church Cathedral by deecat
This church is called The Christ Church Cathedral. No, it is not Catholic; instead, it is Episcopal. An Irishman named William Tinsley designed it. The original church was established in 1837, but this present building on Cathedral Monument Circle was built between 1857-1860, depending on whom you read.
The church remained unchanged until 1900, and then a major redecorating and rebuilding happened. In 1927 and 1953 more remodeling occurred.
In 1954, Christ Church became the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Indianapolis. The church was renovated in the lower level and then a major underground addition was done that remarkably extended under the lawn and the brick sidewalk of Monument Circle and Meridian Street...talk about using every inch of space! They also put on a new slate roof that was just like the patterns and designs of the original.
The church got two new organs and so more accomodations had to be made.The interior has wooden trusses and stained glass windows by Tiffany. The exterior uses three limestones, all quarried in Indiana.
The Christ Church Cathedral is not a large church; rather, it denotes a warm, cozy charm. Being right in the heart of the city, it is passed by literally thousands each week. What a wonderful place to stop for reflection.
The phone number is: (317)636-4577 Leave a Comment
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 Indianapolis Zoo and
Indiana State Museum by deecat
We also had to pass by the beautiful Indiana State Museum because of time restraints. The museum was relocated in early 2002 to this brand-new facility in the White River State Park. It is supposed to be a spacious building that is constructed of locally sourced materials that includes Indiana limestone, sandstone, brick, steel, extruded aluminum, and glass.
The museum focuses on Indiana's natural and cultural history. It displays sports and the early days of radio.
Fortunately, Indianapolis is only four hours away, so we'll just have to return some day! Leave a Comment
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 Veteran's Memorial Plaza
(Obelisk Square) by deecat
I was "blown away" by the quality and quantitiy of war memorials in Indianapolis. It's just imperative to take a self-guided walking tour of this historic district. If you go the the Artsgarden first, you are able to pick up several pamphlets that will guide you.
After World War I, an idea came up to build a memorial to the Indiana veterans and to all service men & women who served during World War I. They also wanted to bring the American Legion National Headquarters to downtown Indianapolis. This all happened around 1919. Other cities also wished to do the same thing.
(Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Minneapolis, & Detroit). Indianapolis won, and the Plaza as a whole was designed in 1923. It went up in sections, and it took from 1925 until 1950.
(We noticed that they are always improving it)
Even though it was designed to honor the World War I veterans, it is now dedicated to all men & women of Indiana who served in the uniformed service of the USA. It covers a 7 block area.
This huge plaza displays a concept of " classical formality & grand monumental scale used by city planners, architects, & artists in the [City Beautiful] movement of the early 20th Century".
This area is one of the most popular downtown areas, and after touring it, I can see why.
Jill and I visited the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District the first day we arrived. It was not a great day for taking photographs, so we retraced some of our steps another day.
The Area included:
Federal Building*
Univeristy Park (University Square)
Indiana World War Memorial Building
Veteran's Memorial Plaza (Obelisk Square)
American Legion Mall
Marion County Public Library 1916*
U.S.S. Indianapolis *
Soldiers & Sailors Monument*
Those listed with an (*) are not part of the Indiana War Memorial Plaza but are right in the area and closely related. Leave a Comment
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 Dee Visiting Brother's Family
in Indianapolis by deecat
On the Sunday afternoon after a full day of touring historic houses and the huge cemetery, we drove to my brother's rather new home. Dustin and his wife Sue Anne have 5 children ranging in ages from twenties down to six.
When we arrived, Dustin, Sue Anne, their five children, Justin, Mandi, Zack, Anndie, and Hannah were there along with Mandi's "husband-to-be" and Sue Anne's mother. Whew! No wonder Dustin has a five bedroom home.
Introductions were made; we toured the house; and then it was time for the homemade "feast"!
It was quite a meal with a pork roast from the grill, salads, mushrooms, corn on the cob, etc. We also had a delicious strawberry cream pie.
It was then time to take photographs. The one I chose to use here was taken by Jill and includes Dustin and the family plus deecat. (Dustin is the one with the beard)
It was now time for Jill and I to return to our Bed and Breakfast before it got dark. Dustin lives on the opposite side of Indianapolis as our Bed and Breakfast!
Wouldn't you know it. We got lost and had to "guess" our way home. I'm proud of Jill because she got us home safely, even though it took twice the time.
All-in-all, it was a grand day. I always think that it is fun to visit relatives and rehash "the good old days". Leave a Comment
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 looking west down Market
Street by sambarnettLeave a Comment
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 by dzniLeave a Comment
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 by dzniLeave a Comment
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visit museums. Indianapolis has one of the world's largest children's museums, two art museums and an art center, and a nature & history museum. Crown Hill Cemetery is neat during the summer months; a lot of famous writers are buried there so they have story telling tours.
hanging out at music shows for local and surrounding area bands the three best places are
The Emerson
The Purple Underground (its hard to find :) hee)
and Fountain Square Theater (for that classic vintage experience) Leave a Comment
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