USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Hyman's handbook of Indianapolis : an outline history and description of the capital of Indiana, with over three hundred illustrations from photographs made expressly for this work (1907) > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
Thomas A. Hendricks Statue - Gov- ernor, senator and vice-president of the United States, Thomas A. Hendricks was one of the distinguished sons of Indiana, and to him the people of the state have erected a bronze statue in the southeast corner of the state-house grounds. It was erected by popular subscription, and unveiled in July, 1890. The statue itself is fourteen feet six inches high, and the monument as a whole has a height of thirty-eight feet six inches. The statue is of bronze; the pedestal is of Bavano granite from the quarries at Lake Mag- giore, Italy. Two allegorical statnes rep- resenting "History" and "Peace" stand upon the base of the monument to its right and left. The monument was de- signed by R. H. Parks, of Florence, Italy.
G LFAZ.
Statue of Gen. Henry W. Lawton, who fell at San Mateo, Philippine Islands, SCHUYLER COLFAX. December 19, 1899, stands on the south- west corner of the county court house grounds. It was unveiled May 30, 1907, with most impressive services, attended by President Roose- velt, and was built as a tribute to the memory of General Lawton by the people of Indiana. It was designed by the noted sculptor Niehaus.
Monument to Governor Morton, which stands at the east entrance to the state house, was unveiled July 23, 1907. It is the second statue erected in the city, and is a tribute of the state to the memory of the great "War Governor." Through the efforts of the G. A. R. a bill was passed by the legislature of 1905 appropriating $35,000 for the purpose. The figure was designed by Rudolph Schwartz.
GENERAL HENRY W. LAWTON.
64
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The Park System-Indianapolis began the work of building parks on a systematic plan in 1895, when J. Clyde Power was appointed park engineer.
Riverside Park is the largest and most pretentious park in the city. The lands embraced by it were purchased in 1898 and contain 950 acres. White river runs through the park, the water of which is util- ized for boating purposes by the erection of a substantial dam, which is one of the handsomest masonry structures of its kind in the coun- try. A splendid bonlevard stretches along the river bluffs within the park, golf links have been established, and the club house of the Canoe club is located here. One of the most entertaining features of this park is the collection of birds and animals.
UNIVERSITY SQUARE.
Garfield Park is located in the southeastern section of the city and contains about 108 acres. It is one of the most pleasing bits of land- scape in the city.
Military Park lies between New York street and the Indiana Cen- tral canal on the north and south, and West and Blackford streets on the east and west, and includes fourteen acres. In the early days of the city's history it was known as the "Military Reservation," and was the place where the militia musters were held. All the military companies of the city during the pioneer days camped and drilled there, and at
ODD FELLOW9 BUILDING.
68
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
the time of the Blackhawk outbreak 300 Indiana militia camped there berore marching to Chicago. It was also the first camping ground of Indiana's quota of six regiments under President Lincoln's first call for troops, and throughout the war it was used as a camp ground. The park was then known as Camp Sullivan. Many of the old forest trees still stand, with some hundreds of younger growth. A large fountain is situated in the center of the park at the meeting place of the con- verging pathways.
SCENE IN RIVERSIDE PARK.
University Square comprises four acres, lying between Pennsyl- vania and Meridian streets on the east and west, and Vermont and New York streets on the north and south. It was the site of a univer- sity that flourished from 1834 to 1846, and thus acquired its name. A statue of Schuyler Colfax stands in the southwestern side.
St. Clair Square adjoins the grounds of the Institution for the Blind on the north, from Meridian to Pennsylvania streets, extending to St. Clair street. It is four acres in extent, and in its center there is a fountain. Reached by North Pennsylvania street cars.
Brookside Park is one of the new additions to the park areas, and is located in the eastern part of the city. It contains about 80 acres of beautifully wooded land.
BOAT HOUSE ON CANAL AT FAIRVIEW PARK.
VIEW ON CYCLE PATH AND CANAL.
68
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Highland Square, formerly the old Noble homestead, corner of Mar- lowe and Highland avenues, is one of the prettiest small parks in the city.
Indianola Place is located on the west side of the river on Washing- ton street and contains two acres.
Spades Place, containing about 10 acres, 8 acres of which were donated to the city for park purposes by M. H. Spades, a well-known business man, is located in the eastern part of the city.
MORTON
A.30%
MORTON MONUMENT ON STATE HOUSE GROUNDS.
Cther Parks and Park Places are Elmwood Place, Fletcher Place, Greenlawn, McCarty Place, Morris Park, Morton Place, Wayne Place and Hendricks Place.
Fairview Park is the most popular outing place near Indianapolis. It is the property of the street car company, is located seven miles northwest of the city and is a beautiful expanse of about 200 acres of wooded hills and ravines overlooking White river and the Indiana Cen- tral canal. Ample street car service is maintained regularly b tween the park and the city, sufficient to handle the large crowds that attend it. The park is well supplied with amusement features, and a well- stocked restaurant conducted at popular prices.
VIEW ON CYCLE PATH AND CANAL.
VIEW ON CYCLE PATH AND CANAL.
70
HYMAN'S ILANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Thoroughfares-This city can lay claim to having some of the .andsomest streets and avenues of any city in the country. In the original platting the streets were made broad, but some have been nar- rowed in recent years.
Washington Street is the main street of the city running east and west. It is 120 feet from eurb to curb, with sidewalks of proportionate width. Along this street from Capitol avenue, on the west, to Alabama. on the east, is conducted the leading retail trade of the city. It is crossed at right angles by numerous streets, and from it running to the southeast and to the southwest are two broad avenues. Many of the business blocks are of modern style and structure and some of them are very imposing in appearance. The extreme width of the street
BOULEVARD IN RIVERSIDE PARK.
and the sidewalks makes it a grand avenue for parades. Notwithstand- ing the retail business transacted on the street is very large it never has the appearance of being crowded. This, with nearly all the prin- cipal streets of the city, is paved with asphaltum. but some of the residence streets are paved with cedar blocks, and a few with briek.
Meridian Street is divided into two parts, north and south, the dividing line being Washington street. It is the center street of the original plat of the city, and extends from the extreme southern part to the extreme northern, a distance of nearly seven miles. South Me-
E
VIEW IN NORTH MERIDIAN STREET
VIEW IN FLETCHER AVENUE.
72
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
ridian street from Washington to the Union railway tracks is devoted almost exclusively to the wholesale trade. Nearly all the buildings are of modern style and conveniences. North Meridian street, from Ohio to the extreme northern limit of the city, is devoted to residences and churches. It is beautifully shaded throughout its entire length, and in the summer time presents a beautiful woodland scene. The resi- denees are all set back some distance from the street, having well- shaded and well-cared-for lawns in front of them, giving to each one of them a villa-like appearance.
LOCKERBIE STREET.
Delaware Street, that section lying to the north of Massachusetts avenue, is notable not only for the reason that it is one of the most beautiful residence streets in the country, but also for the fact that the house of ex-President Harrison is situated there. This particular spot is the Mecca of all visitors to the city.
North Capitol Avenue is the only boulevarded street in the city, and its firmly laid macadam roadway, extending for three miles through one of the most beautiful sections of the city, is inviting to those who delight to drive. The homestead of the late Vice-President Hendricks is located on the southern end of this street, opposite the State-house.
Lockerbie Street-A little street that has become famous because of its association with the Hoosier poet, whose home is situated in it,
VIEW IN MORTON PLACE.
VIEW IN NORTH SENATE AVENUE.
74
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
SCENE ON CYCLE PATH, ROAD TO MILLERSVILLE.
is Lockerbie street. His home has been here for twenty years or more. Mr. Riley's discovery of Lockerbie street impressed him so much that he indited a poem to it that first appeared in the Indianapolis Journal. The part he refers to is but a block long, a roadbed of gravel, green- sward on the sides, fine old trees with flowers and lawns in front of the old-fashioned houses. The march of improvement has not marred its original quaintness and beauty and it is yet as when he wrote:
"O, my Lockerbie-street! You are fair to be seen- Be it noon of the day or the rare and serene Afternoon of the night-you are one to my heart And I love you above all the phrases of art, For no language could frame and no lips could repeat My rhyme-haunted raptores of Lockerbie street"
Other Notable Streets are Pennsylvania, Alabama and New Jersey streets and Park, Broadway, College and Central avenues.
55
CHURCHES AND CHARITY
CATHEDRALS, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES AND OTHER PLACES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND WORK-INSTITUTIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR THR POOR AND UNFORTUNATE-LAST RESTING PLACES.
Indiana has from the earliest years of its pioneer history given due attention to the vital matters of morals and religion. In the early French occupation the missionary priest was always the pioneer, who was on the ground long before the immigrants appeared. In the Amer- iran settlement of the west the settler came first, but as soon as a small community had been formed the earnest pioneer preacher, full of fervor and zeal, would come to call the people to a realization of their spiritual needs. In the autumn of 1821-the city having been laid out in April- the people of the newly incubated metropolis had the gospel preached to them by ministers of three denominations. Either Rezin Hammond. a Methodist cirenit rider, of John McClung, of the New Light school, can be claimed as having been the first to preach in Indianapolis. They came about the same time in 1821, and accounts vary as to which was the earliest, but both came before the Rev. Ludlow G. Ilaines, of the Presbyterian church.
The First Presbyterian Church is one of the religious landmarks of the city, and with it is associated the early history of Presbyterianism in this state. The first Presbyterian sermon was preached in this city in a grove south of the present state-house square by Rev. Ludlow G. Haines, and in 1822 Rev. David C. Proctor was engaged as missionary for one year. The first church was organized and the first house of worship built in 1823. The second one was built in 1842 and was dedi- cated May 6, 1843; it was located on the northeast corner of Market street and the Circle. In 1864 the foundation was laid for the third edifice that stood on the corner of New York and Pennsylvania streets, until 1901, when it was sold and torn down to make room for the new federal building, and in October, 1903, dedicated the new church on Sixteenth and Delaware streets. The plans embrace the best architec- tural features in the way of arrangement, lighting, heating and ven- tilating. It is oue of the finest contributions to church architecture in the city.
70
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
CHRIST CHURCH.
SECONO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Second Presbyterian Church is located on the northwest cor- ner of Vermont and Pennsylvania streets. The society was formed in 1838, and occupied the Marion county seminary that stood on the south- west corner of University square until 1860. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was the first to officiate. After occupying the seminary for one year, the congregation moved to its own church on the northwest corner of Market street and the Circle. On September 19, 1847, Mr. Beecher closed his pastorate and removed to Brooklyn, N. Y. The beautiful stone edifice now occupied was opened for worship December 22, 1867. It was begun in 1864 and the completed edifice was dedicated January 9, 1870. In April, 1872, the National Sunday School convention met in this church and adopted the uniform Sunday school lesson system that is now used by 25,000,000 people throughout the world. There are fif- teen other Presbyterian churches in the city.
Christ Church, Protestant Episcopal, is located on the northeast corner of Monument Place and Meridian street. This is one of the oldest and most strikingly handsome shrines of worship in the city. It is an example of the early English or plain-pointed styles of architecture. A notable feature of the building is the fine tower and spire that contain the chimes which ring out in the successive seasons of festival and fast.
Episc. Church.
1^ Presb. Church.
Robert's Chapel.
St. John's Cath. Church.
Baptist Church.
4) Presb. Church,
Wesleyan Chapel.
2ยช Presb Church.
Christian Chapel.
THE EARLIEST CHURCHES IN 1854.
78
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The parish and congregation of Christ church have been in existence since 1837. Its first shrine was built in 1838, which gave way for the present structure in 1857.
St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Cathedral is located on the south- east corner of New York aud Illinois streets. The style of the archi- tecture is the rural English Gothic of the twelfth century. The exterior
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL.
views of the building are striking. This parish was organized in 1866. The erection of the cathedral began in the spring of 1867 and opened for worship June, 1868. Of this denomination there are five other places of worship.
First Baptist Church-The first assemblage of Baptists held in this city for the purpose of establishing a church was in August, 1822. The first meeting house was built in 1829, which was replaced by another more pretentious one that was destroyed by fire in 1861. It was then that the site for the brick church was purchased, which was located on the present site of the Star office. This building was destroyed by fire January 3, 1904. and the present imposing structure, northeast corner of Meridian and Vermont, was dedicated in November, 1906. There are fourteen shrines of worship of this church in this city.
79
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Mayflower Congregational Church, on the corner of Delaware and Sixteenth streets, is one of the notable places of worship: It was or- ganized May 23, 1869. This denomination is represented by eight or- ganizations in this city having houses of worship.
Meridian=Street M. E. Church is located on the northeast corner of Meridian and St. Clair streets. This edifice replaces the one formerly located at the corner of New York and Meridian streets, which was de- stroyed by fire November 17, 1904. The church society, long known as the Wesley Chapel M. E. church, was the pioneer organization of the Methodist denomination in this eity, of which the present Meridian street church is the continuation.
Roberts Park M. E. Church is located on the northeast corner of Vermont and Delaware streets. The society was organized October, 1842, by a division of the then called Wesley chapel, now the Meridian- Street M. E. church. The society was energetic from the first and erected soon after its organization a church on the northeast corner of
ROBERTS PARK M. E. CHURCH.
Pennsylvania and Market streets. It was christened Roberts chapel, in honor of the famous Bishop Roberts. This building was for a long time a religious landmark, but finally gave way to the march of com- merce in 1868. The present imposing structure was completed in 1870.
80
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
SS. PETER AND PAUL CATHEDRAL.
Central=Avenue M. E. Church is one of the youngest churches in the city. It was organized in 1877 by a union of Trinity and Massa- chusetts avenue churches. The church has had a phenomenal growth, and is now the largest of all the Methodist churches. It is favorably situated in the best residence part of the city amid the beautiful homes of thriving business and professional men, of which class it has gained its membership. The auditorium of the building it occupies was com- pleted in 1595, and is a model of beauty and utility. The Sunday-school building was erected in 1898, and is probably not equaled for the pur- pose for which it was designed in the state. There are thirty-four churches devoted to this denomination in the city.
Catholic Churches-The history of the Catholic church in Indiana begins with the foundation of the territory known as the state of In- diana. Indiana originally pertained to the jurisdiction of the diocese of Bardstown, now Louisville, Kentucky. The Catholic diocese in Indiana was established in 1834 and was known as the "Diocese of Vincennes," where the bishop resided. It embraced not only the entire state of In- diana, but also a part of Michigan and Illinois. In 1857 the state was divided into two dioceses-the northern, called the diocese of Ft. Wayne,
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
81
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
and the southern retaining the name of Vincennes, which was changed to Indianapolis in 1893.
The first record of any Catholic service in Indianapolis was the cele- bration of mass in "Power's Tavern," on West Washington street, by Rev. Clande Francois, a missionary among the Indians at Logansport. This was in 1835, and there were present but eight or ten persons. In 1837 Rev. Vincent Bacquelin rented a small room on West Washington street and had services once a month on Sunday. In 1840 he bought a lot and erected a small frame church, which was called the Church of the Holy Cross. It was situated, as nearly as can now be ascertained, near the corner of California and Market streets, south of the present Military park. Father Bacquelin continued to attend Indianapolis, as a missionary station, from St. Vincent's until his death in 1846. Re- turning from a sick call in Rush county, he was thrown from his horse and was instantly killed. Bishop de la Ilaillandiere, who succeeded Bishop Brute, foresaw the importance of Indianapolis as a Catholic center, and in 1847 made large purchases of real estate for church pur- poses. He bought the quarter square at the corner of Georgia street and capitol avenue, and also lots upon Maryland street, where St. Mary's church uow stands. He also acquired a large plot of ground on North
[6]
82
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Pennsylvania street for a Catholic college, and gave it over to the Fa- thers of the Holy Cross, under Father Sorin. The Fathers of the Holy Cross made a small beginning, but afterwards moved to St. Joseph county, where they established Notre Dame University, now the largest Catholic institution of learning in America. The only reminder of this first educational venture in Indianapolis are the names of two streets crossing Pennsylvania-St. Mary's and St. Joseph streets.
St. John's Cathedral-The first resident Catholic pastor in Indian- apolis was Rev. John Gueguen, who came here in March, 1848. The property in Georgia strect had been purchased by Bishop Haillandiere in 1846 ; upon this property, in 1850, Father Gueguen built a small brick church, facing on Georgia street, upon the spot where St. John's clergy house now stands. The new church was named St. John's, In 1853 Rev. Daniel Maloney succeeded as pastor and continued unti! the arrival of Rev. Aug. Bessonies, in November, 1857. The following year Father Bessonies erected a handsome brick building, at the corner of Georgia street and Capitol avenue, as an academy for young ladies. In 1872 the present St. John's academy, the oldest Catholic institution in the city, was erected by the Sisters of Providence. In 1867 the old St. John's church, which had twice been enlarged, was found too small for the rapid growth of the congregation. The present imposing edifice was begun in 1867, and was ready for occupancy in 1871. It is one of the largest churches in the state. The spires and the interior, however, were not. completed until 1893. Father Bessonies had in the meantime become a monsignore. In 1890, after having completed fifty years of hard work in the priesthood, ne resigned his pastoral charge, but continued to re- side with Bishop Chatard until his death, February 22, 1901. He was a man beloved by all classes of people for his amiable disposition and kindness of heart. He was buried iu St. John's church, in a crypt erected for the purpose. A handsome mural tablet over the crypt marks his resting place, with the splendid church which he erected as his monument. Father Bessonies saw the Catholic church in Indianapolis grow from one struggling congregation to eleven strong churches, with schools and charitable institutions which are the pride of that denomi- nation. Father Bessonies was succeeded in 1890 by the present rector, Rev. Francis Henry Gavisk, who had been his assistant for five years before becoming rector.
SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral-In 1890 Bishop Chatard erected an episcopal residence at the corner of Meridian and Fourteenth streets, with a view to build a cathedral at some remote time. At the same time he built a small chapel, known as SS. Peter and Paul chapel, as one of the chapels of the future cathedral. The congregation attached to this chapel grew so rapidly that it is now one of the largest and by far the wealthiest of the Catholic congregations in the city. The
83
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
cathedral was finished and dedicated December, 1906. There are twelve Catholic churches in the city.
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation occupy one of the most im- posing shrines of worship in the city. It is one of the late additions to the long list of splendid examples of church architecture. It was completed in 1899. This congregation was organized in 1855, when it purchased three and one-half acres of ground south of the city dedi- cated to the use of a cemetery. The new temple was dedicatd Novem-
JEWISH TEMPLE.
ber 3, 1899. A notable evnt in the history of this congregation is the closing of the service of Rabbi M. Messing, who has served continuously since 1SGS, and in point of service is the oldest rabbi in the United States. He retired to become the rabbi emeritus of the congregation. There are four other Hebrew congregations in the city.
Other Churches-Beside those enumerated, almost every denomi- national form has a representative congregation and a place of wor- ship. There are 175 congregations in this city, with a membership of more than 70,000.
Young Men's Christian Association of Indianapolis was organized December 12, 1854. In the long years of its existence its influence for good has been demonstrated in thousands of instances, The public ap-
84
HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
preciation of the beneficent work of this organization was shown in a practical way by subscribing over $250,000 in 1907 to a fund to further its work and extend its influence.
The Young Women's Christian Association was organized in 1870. It maintains amply supplied reading rooms and library, a fine gym- nasium, etc. There are also classes in German, literature, sewing, etc. The association will erect a new building with the fund that was sub- ser:bed for that purpose in 1907 by the people of Indianapolis.
Charities-Several charities are carried on by private contributions. some of which are connected with special churches, while others are non-sectarian. These include homes for orphans, home for friendless women, homes for aged poor, a summer sanatorium for the benefit of sick children, and other organizations of a benevolent character for the relief of the poor and suffering. In religious endeavor and humani- tarian effort, no less than material progress, Indianapolis is representa- tive of the best ideals and most useful activities.
Charity Organization Society-This important organization has been in existence since 1879. It was organized in the law office of General Benjamin Harrison, and until the time of his death no one gave greater strength and character to the work than he. Due to this society it is that the distribution of charity in Indianapolis is done upon a scientific and businesslike basis. Through its operations the worthy indigent is enabled to receive relief promptly, and professional mendi- cancy has been almost obilterated in this community. It is the execu- tive headquarters for the distribution and direction of the charitable work of the most notable benevolent organizations in the city.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.