Digging into the history of a random piece of rusting metal I ran across in the White River. www.class900indy.com/post/ruins-i...

A new Yesterday’s Indianapolis episode is up where we explore a bit of history of Pogue’s Run, and a tragic event which occurred along it banks in 1882. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

Updates on the operations of the Army of the Potomac published on July 2, 1863 in the Indianapolis Journal. Many notes about the rebel invasion of the north, but the highlighted section is noteworthy, as it reports on what would be the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Might be the least interesting waterway in Marion County, but even Williams Creek deserves its day in the local history sun. www.class900indy.com/post/the-wat...

A news brief appearing in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on July 8, 1865, describes the order given by Gen. Gordon Granger, upon taking command in Texas, which asserted that slavery was abolished in that place. His order was issued June 19, 1865.

Saw some discussion on local social media and podcasts about the city’s “No Mean City” slogan. This blog post from a few years ago explores the history of that phrase, and its first association with Indianapolis by attorney Calvin Fletcher. www.class900indy.com/post/no-mean...

A new blog post about an item found at an antique mall with a connection to the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood of Indianapolis, and with Indianapolis Public Schools. www.class900indy.com/post/found-m...

New post on class900Indy about the history of the Federal League Ballpark on the southwest side of downtown Indianapolis. www.class900indy.com/post/indy-s-...

With the greatest spectacle in racing just a few days away, let’s look back at some of the early designs for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. www.class900indy.com/post/the-mak...

New podcast up on Yesterday’s Indianapolis, this one exploring the history of Roselyn Bakeries, one of the nostalgic heavyweights of the Indianapolis area. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

Since we’re heading into Indy 500 season, a bit of race adjacent history is in order. This blog post looks at the history of the Allison Machine Shop, owned by James Allison, co-founder of the Motor Speedway. www.class900indy.com/post/in-the-...

New blog post exploring landscape architect Jens Jensen and the history of the EcoLab at @MarianUniv. www.class900indy.com/post/jens-je...

Pogue’s Run was a burr in the saddle of early Indianapolis. Cutting through the southeastern part of the mile square, the creek frequently flooded, and was a dumping point for sewage and trash. To solve these issues, the city enclosed and hid the creek. www.class900indy.com/post/and-the...

Tune in tomorrow at noon on 88.7 FM where I will be joining Hoosier History Live to talk about the Indianapolis streetcar strikes and the strike at the Real Silk factories on Mass Ave.

Publishing a new blog post on Final Four weekend is probably not the best idea, but if you tire of basketball related content, here is some history of the old shelter house at Riverside Park. www.class900indy.com/post/a-most-...

New Yesterday's Indianapolis podcast episode is out, exploring the history of the Ron-D-Vu drive in on the near northside of Indianapolis near Butler University. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

On this date in 1837, an indictment for murder was issued against Thomas Finch, an Irish canal worker who killed a canal contractor during a fight on March 17. This blog post tells the story of Finch, and his ensuing trial. www.class900indy.com/post/murder-...

On this day in 1837, along the Central Canal near present-day Butler University, a fight between rival Irish worker groups resulted in the killing of one Michael Sheridan by Thomas Finch. The story of the incident, and Finch’s trial, is explored here: www.class900indy.com/post/murder-...

Some streetcar tracks poking through the pavement on Fosters Place, formerly McClean Place, on the near north-side. Nearby is the building which was once known as the McLean Place streetcar barn, where the streetcars were stored and underwent maintenance. (1/2)

My most recent contribution to the Indy Star Retro Indy feature explores the history of the 30th street bridge, constructed during the city’s ‘stone age’ of bridge building. (1/2) www.indystar.com/story/news/h...

Everything but the kitchen sink is being thrown at the Chicago Bears to entice the team to build a stadium in Indiana. But remember when there was an effort to get a Major League Baseball team? www.class900indy.com/post/aiming-...

Sorry folks, looks like the Marion County Poor Farm talk at the Central Library is postponed for today. I’ll update on the reschedule date asap.

Kicking off season 2 of Yesterday’s Indianapolis with a look at the Fall Creek aqueduct for the Central Canal. Because my mission is to impose my canal knowledge upon everyone. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

Still in the weeds on book manuscript related tasks, so here is a re-post of a blog entry from 2019 about one of the titans of Indianapolis Gilded Age industry, the Atlas Engine Works located at 19th and Dr. Andrew J. Brown Streets. www.class900indy.com/post/built-l...

During my travels on various historical research missions over the last few weeks, I made a stop by a new park in Terre Haute centered around Lock 47 on the Wabash & Erie Canal. The lock is one of the better preserved stone locks still visible in Indiana. 1/2

I've ridden my bike and driven by this stone in Riverside Park so many times, I cannot believe I never noticed that it had an inscription and was part of a memorial. www.class900indy.com/post/the-ret...

Seems like there might be some snow this weekend. Good time to explore the history of sledding in and around Indianapolis. www.class900indy.com/post/history...

On this date in 1821, the Indiana General Assembly approved the selection of the site for Indianapolis, destined to be the new seat of government for the state of Indiana. This blog post explores that selection, and the expedition sent to select the site. www.class900indy.com/post/selecti...

To close out 2025, here is a post exploring the history of sledding in and around Indianapolis. www.class900indy.com/post/history...

Forgot to repost this history of the holiday decorations at University Park last week. Better late than never. www.class900indy.com/post/the-yul...

A final podcast from Yesterday’s Indianapolis to wrap up the year. This one is about some Indianapolis pickle history. Because why not. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

My newest contribution to the Retro Indy feature in the @indystar, this article explores the history of the Christmas at the Zoo event. www.indystar.com/story/news/h...

Quick advertisement…if you are still looking for gift ideas this season, Vanished Indianapolis is a great option. Several local bookstores carry it, as does Barnes & Noble. I also have copies to sell so shoot me a DM or email at ejfujawa @ Gmail and I can get you a copy.

“Its existence has been very quiet--so quiet at times as to suggest death.” Happy birthday to the Indiana Historical Society, organized on this day in 1830 rayboomhower.blogspot.com/2020/12/resu...

Methodist Hospital as seen from the Red/Purple line station on Capitol. The famous lighthouse on the top of the hospital is barely visible in the center of the image. To learn some history about the lighthouse, check the link in the second post.

One last podcast for 2025, a short one about the original Christmas tree farm in Indianapolis. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

In no way related to Thanksgiving, but here is a post about the history of the Test-Lacy Building on the Circle in downtown Indianapolis, which aside from its unique parking garage, also once had a golf course on its roof. www.class900indy.com/post/a-circl...

For no particular reason, I think it’s time for a review of some of the roadhouses of Indianapolis. First up is the Bellevue Resort at Michigan Rd and White River where drinking and other vices were the order of the day. (1/3) www.class900indy.com/post/a-histo...

One hundred years ago today, at 5:21 pm, a Hamilton County jury (courthouse shown below) returned a guilty verdict against D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Indiana KKK, for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, leading to the decline in the Klan’s power in Indiana. 1/2

A few images of the Northern Lights from the campus of Butler University. Aircraft trail is a United flight from Chicago to Indy.

Reports on the ground indicate that this post is once again relevant. www.class900indy.com/post/the-del...

Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday for the historic tour of the old Indianapolis Zoo site. We had a great turnout and great weather. And thanks to @kmr.me for the photos!

On this day 52 years ago, the Indianapolis Fire Dept. fought the largest fire in the history of Indianapolis at that time, when the Grant Building on Washington Street, between Meridian and Pennsylvania, caught fire and spread to surrounding structures. www.class900indy.com/post/50th-an...

Doing some prep work last weekend for a Nov. 8 historical tour of the old Indianapolis Zoo site at Washington Park in partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indy Parks. Check out the link in the comments for more info and to RSVP.

Exploring the history of the Washington Street water pumping station, one of the older buildings in the downtown area, and the original piece of the city’s modern water system. www.class900indy.com/post/a-circl...

Lots of archives and history related articles this week. This column discusses the importance of our local and state archives and highlights the work being done by @jordanryan.bsky.social at the City County Archives. www.indystar.com/story/opinio...

Nice article about the great efforts of Deedee Davis and the Irvington Historical Society in exploring the history of Osbert Sumner’s found photos. The exhibit of photos runs until November 30. mirrorindy.org/historic-pho...

New podcast on Yesterday’s Indianapolis, this one looks at Karl Schoen, a World War I fighter pilot from Indianapolis who was killed in combat over the Western Front. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

Ran across a former National Guard armory on the south side back in July thanks to some exterior stonework which survives today. www.class900indy.com/post/explori...

A few comets have been identified of late although they may not be as visible in Indianapolis as Tsuchinshan-ATLAS which arrived last fall. Nevertheless, here is a throwback to a post from 2024 which looks at the arrival of the Great Comet of 1858. www.class900indy.com/post/the-gre...