Indianapolis History

Indianapolis was founded in 1821 and designed from the ground up to serve as the state capital of Indiana. The name, concocted by Judge Jeremiah Sullivan of the Indiana Supreme Court, is an amalgam of Indiana with the Greek suffix polis ("city"), and was chosen to reflect the city's status as a state capital. The Fall Creek Settlement was a swampy region along the White River, inhabited by fur traders, settlers, and scattered Native American villages. However, the area's central location within Indiana made it the perfect location for the new state capital. Alexander Ralston, a protégé of French architect Pierre L'Enfant, was selected to design the city. He laid out Indianapolis in a circular pattern, incorporating many of the design elements his mentor had used in designing Washington D.C. The state capital was officially moved to Indianapolis from Corydon in 1825.

Although originally founded to serve as a center of government, Indianapolis flourished with the arrival of the railroad in 1847. As the city spread beyond its original one-square-mile design, it became a manufacturing and commercial center, as well as a transportation hub. Indianapolis' wheel-like design served it well in this capacity, as the roads that formed its spokes extended out to connect Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Lousiville, and St. Louis, earning the city its nickname "The Crossroads of America."

The hub of Indianapolis' wheel was originally designated "Governor's Circle". A lavish mansion was constructed there in 1827, but no governor would live there due to the lack of privacy afforded by the location. The mansion was finally demolished in 1857, and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was erected in its place. This impressive bronze and limestone sculpture stands just 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty, and houses the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum. Surrounding the re-dubbed Monument Circle are the Hilbert Circle Theater (home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), the Circle Centre Mall, and the Indianapolis Artsgarden.

Indianapolis is perhaps best known for the Indianapolis 500, a 500-mile Formula One race held every Memorial Day at the Indianapolis Moter Speedway. The city hosts several other races of note, including the NASCAR Allstate 400, the Formula One United States Grand Prix, and the Hot Rod Nationals. A strong sports town, Indianapolis also maintains the RCA Dome, home of the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), and Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers (NBA). Indianapolis has hosted many major sporting events, such as the 1987 Pan American Games and the NCAA Basketball Tournament.