Indiana World War Memorial Plaza facts for kids
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Indiana War Memorial Plaza
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Aerial view of the plaza looking south
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by St. Clair, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Meridian Sts., Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Walker & Weeks; Henry Hering |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts, Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001404 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1989 |
| Boundary increase | December 23, 2016 |
| Designated NHLD | October 11, 1994 |
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is a large area in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It was first built to honor soldiers who fought in World War I. The idea for it came in 1919. It was meant to be a home for the American Legion and a memorial for veterans from Indiana and the nation.
The plaza covers five city blocks. It is bordered by Meridian Street, St. Clair Street, Pennsylvania Street, and New York Street. The American Legion Mall is at the north end. It has the Legion's buildings and a special monument called a cenotaph. Veterans Memorial Plaza is the third block. It features a tall, pointed stone monument called an obelisk. The main part of the plaza is the Indiana World War Memorial building. It looks like an ancient tomb and holds a military museum and an auditorium. The southernmost block is University Park, which has statues and a fountain.
On October 11, 1994, the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza became a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important historical site. In 2016, it grew to include the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. It was then renamed the Indiana World War Memorial Historic District. This combined area is the largest war memorial project in the United States. It covers about 24 acres.
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History of the Memorial Plaza
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza started in 1919. The city of Indianapolis wanted the new American Legion to move its main office there. The American Legion is a group of veterans. It helps young people, supports patriotism, and looks after national security.
In November 1919, cities tried to get the American Legion's headquarters. Indianapolis was chosen because it was in the middle of the U.S. Also, the city showed a lot of patriotism. Indianapolis won the vote and became the new home for the Legion.
The city and state had to provide a place for the headquarters. Indianapolis promised to build a great memorial for World War I soldiers. So, in January 1920, a large area was chosen for the plaza. It included a library, parks, and two city blocks with buildings. The plan was to build a new American Legion headquarters and a war memorial.
The Indiana War Memorial Bill passed in July 1920. It set aside $2 million for building and land. The city paid for the land and upkeep. The state of Indiana paid for the memorial's construction. The plaza was dedicated in November 1921. A special cornerstone from a bridge in France was laid. Many buildings on the blocks were torn down in 1926. Some churches were not removed until 1960.
Architects were asked to design the memorial. It was meant to honor all who fought in World War I. It also needed meeting places and offices for the American Legion. The firm Walker & Weeks was chosen in 1923. Their plan included a main memorial, two other buildings, an obelisk, a mall, and a cenotaph.
Construction for the American Legion building began in 1925. The buildings were designed in a neoclassical style. This matched the nearby Central Library and the U.S. Courthouse. These buildings were already there and marked the ends of the plaza. The second auxiliary building was not built until 1950. In 1936, Indiana used money meant for veterans' bonuses to build the plaza instead. One more building was planned but never built.
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza shows off the "City Beautiful movement" ideas. This means public buildings should be classical, uniform, and beautiful. In 1989, the plaza was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It became a National Historic Landmark District in 1994. The area has grown to include other memorials. These include the USS Indianapolis CA-35 Memorial (1995) and the Medal of Honor Memorial (1999). The Indiana 9/11 Memorial (2011) is also part of it.
The plaza often hosts public events and military ceremonies. These include Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. It has also been the site of many festivals.
American Legion Mall: Honoring Veterans
The American Legion Mall covers the two northern blocks of the plaza. It is bordered by Meridian Street, St. Clair Street, Pennsylvania Street, and North Street. Before it was built, the south block had the Indiana School for the Blind.
The two main buildings on the plaza are used by the American Legion. Both are made of Indiana limestone in a neoclassical style. This matches the Indianapolis Central Library to the north. The west building was once the Indiana Veteran's Support Center. The larger east building is the Legion's national headquarters. It handles mail, archives, and other office tasks. Its two parts are connected by a central entrance.
The Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial (1996) has two curved stone monuments. They show the number of soldiers lost in each war. Both monuments have the names of Hoosiers (people from Indiana) who died in the Korean War and Vietnam War. They also have parts of letters sent home by soldiers. The World War II Memorial (1998) is a single round stone monument. It lists the names of Hoosier soldiers who died in World War II. A separate column lists the war's operations and campaigns. Architect Patrick Brunner designed both memorials. The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was added in 2021.
Cenotaph Square: A Place of Remembrance
Cenotaph Square is located between the two American Legion buildings. It is south of the Central Library. A black granite cenotaph (a monument for someone buried elsewhere) is in the center. It sits on a base of red and dark green granite. Four black granite pillars with gold eagles mark the corners of the square.
The north side of the cenotaph honors James Bethel Gresham. He was a Hoosier and the first American soldier killed in action in World War I. He was from Evansville, Indiana. He died in France on November 3, 1917. The south side says, "A tribute by Indiana to the hallowed memory of the glorious dead who served in the World War."
Veterans Memorial Plaza: The Obelisk
The Veterans Memorial Plaza, also called Obelisk Square, is the third block of the plaza. It is south of American Legion Mall. The 100-foot-tall black granite obelisk was built in 1923. The square was finished in 1930. Near the bottom of the obelisk are large panels. They were placed in 1929 and show law, science, religion, and education. These represent the basic ideas of the nation. The obelisk rises from a 100-foot-wide fountain. The fountain is made of pink Georgia marble and terrazzo. It has two basins, spray rings, and colorful lights.
The square was first paved with asphalt. But in 1975, it was changed to grass and trees. On the east and west sides, you can see the flags of the fifty states. They were put up in 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial. During the 1987 Pan American Games, they were replaced with flags of countries from the Americas.
War Memorial Building: A Grand Centerpiece
Architects Walker & Weeks designed the Indiana World War Memorial building. It was meant to be the main part of the plaza. Work on the memorial began in early 1926. Many buildings on the site had to be torn down. General John J. Pershing laid the first stone on July 4, 1927. He called it a "patriotic shrine."
Money problems in 1928 slowed down the building's inside work. Even with a new builder in 1931 and more money in 1936, it took a long time. The building was dedicated on November 11, 1933 (Veterans Day), even though its inside was not finished. In 1949, a newspaper said the memorial was already falling apart. It had peeling paint, leaks, and cracks. Despite ideas to change the area, the memorial and its landscaping were finally finished in 1965.
The memorial's design is based on the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. This was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. At 210 feet tall, it is about 75 feet taller than the original mausoleum. Blue lights shine between the columns at night, making it easy to spot. It is the most impressive neoclassical building in Indianapolis because of its size.
The building is a cube shape. It is covered in Indiana limestone and has a low pyramid roof. It stands on a raised terrace with wide stairs. All four sides of the building look the same. Each side has six tall columns. Behind them are large windows. Above the columns are statues by Henry Hering. These figures represent Courage, Memory, Peace, Victory, Liberty, and Patriotism. On the south side, at the bottom of the grand stairs, is Hering's huge bronze statue Pro Patria (1929). It is 24 feet tall and weighs seven tons. It was the largest bronze statue cast in the United States at the time.
The north and south entrances are guarded by limestone lions holding shields. There is an urn at each corner of the terrace. The pyramid roof has steps and a small tower on top. Above the tall bronze doors on each side is a message. It says, "To vindicate the principles of peace and justice in the world." On the north side is the building's main message:
To commemorate the valor and sacrifice of the land, sea and air forces of the United States and all who rendered faithful and loyal service at home and overseas in the World War; to inculcate a true understanding and appreciation of the privileges of American citizenship; to inspire patriotism and respect for the laws to the end that peace may prevail, justice be administered, public order maintained and liberty perpetuated.
In 2019, over 156,000 people visited the memorial.
Indiana World War Memorial Military Museum
The main entrance to the Indiana War Memorial Museum is on the north side. It opens into a large hall with Tennessee marble floors and Art Deco designs. The museum is mostly on the lower level of the monument. It honors the efforts of Hoosier soldiers from the American Revolutionary War to today's conflicts. World War I and World War II are shown the most. Besides guns, it has a Cobra helicopter and a ship's commission plate. The museum has over 400 military flags, including more than 300 from the American Civil War. Indiana's copy of the Liberty Bell is near the main entrance. It was given to each state in 1950 to encourage buying savings bonds.
Other museum displays are on the main level. An exhibit shows the radio room of the USS Indianapolis. It includes original equipment from World War II. This exhibit opened in 2009. The Grand Foyer on the main level has the 500-seat Pershing Auditorium. It was built with materials given by several states and World War I allies. The memorial also has three meeting rooms. They were renamed in 2009 to honor Hoosier veterans.
Above the main level is the Shrine Room. It is 110 feet high and 60 feet wide. It is covered in materials from all the allied nations of World War I. Two staircases from the Grand Foyer lead to it. The Shrine Room Stairway walls are made of American Pavonazzo marble. They have the names of all Hoosiers who fought in World War I. On the east and west sides are paintings of leading soldiers from different countries. Around the room is a plaster frieze (a sculpted band) showing events from World War I. In the center, under a large 17-by-30-foot American flag, is the Altar of Consecration. Above the flag is the Star of Destiny, made of Swedish crystal. It represents the nation's future.
Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
In December 2021, the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum reopened. It is now in the War Memorial building. The museum used to be in the basement of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. But water leaks forced all the items to be moved in 2018. The new space in the War Memorial is larger. This allows more items to be shown. It also includes Civil War items from the Military Museum collection.
University Park: Statues and Green Space
University Park is the southernmost block of the plaza. It is bordered by Meridian Street, Vermont Street, Pennsylvania Street, and New York Street. The park was first set aside for a state university in 1827. However, it became a seminary, the city's first high school, and a training ground for Union troops during the Civil War. In 1876, it became a public park. In 1914, landscape architect George Kessler redesigned the park.
The park has three statues of important Hoosiers. The Schuyler Colfax Memorial (1887) is near the Depew Memorial Fountain. The Benjamin Harrison (1908) statue is at the south end of the park. The Seated Lincoln (1934) is at the park's southeast corner. Other sculptures include Syrinx (1973) and Pan (1980).
Other features include benches, trees, and street lamps. Two of the lamps have lions' heads on the backs of metal turtles.
Depew Memorial Fountain: A Gift of Remembrance
The Depew Memorial Fountain is a tall fountain finished in 1919. It has many bronze figures on a five-level granite base with three basins. The bronze sculptures show fish, eight dancing children, and a woman dancing and playing cymbals at the very top. It is about 25 feet tall and 45 feet wide.
The fountain was built to remember Dr. Richard J. Depew. His wife, Emma Ely, asked for it after he died in 1887. When Mrs. Depew died in 1913, she left $50,000 to Indianapolis. This money was for a fountain to honor her husband. She wanted it in a public place for everyone to enjoy. The first design was by Karl Bitter. He died in an accident in 1915 before he could finish it. Alexander Stirling Calder then created the bronze figures. Architect Henry Bacon designed the fountain's setting.
A plaque on the south side of the granite base reads: "Depew Memorial Fountain. A gift to Indianapolis from Emma Ely Depew in memory of her husband Richard Johnson Depew M.D. whose long and honorable life was spent in untiring service to his fellow men."
See also
In Spanish: Indiana World War Memorial Plaza para niños
