Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1947, Part 3

Author:
Publication date: 1947
Publisher: R.L. Polk
Number of Pages: 1572

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The city transportation facaities, provided by Indianapolis Railways, Inc., are recognized as among the finest transit systems in the country. Between 1932 and 1938 the system engaged in one of the "most aggressive transit modernization programs in the nation," and spent approximately $8,000,000 for new vehicles, new shops and other facilities. After 1938 the firm expended an addi- tional $2,000,000 on continued modernization, which program was halted by World War II.

Because of the unusual city-wide coverage, only 2.75% of the area of the city is farther than a four-minute walk from a transit line.

A total of seven street-car, nineteen trackless trolley, twenty motor-coach and eleven feeder bus lines fan out through the city, reaching every section of the Hoosier capital and several suburban communities. There are 236 route miles of service, and at the present time the system is serving approximately 330,000 riders per day.

NORTH ILLINOIS STREET LOOKING NORTH FROM WASHINGTON STREET

Indianapolis Railways, Inc., has projected an aggressive $4,500,000 post-war modernization program, which it hopes to make effective just as soon as new vehicles are available and the company's financial position warrants this expansion. Already the system has placed orders for 135 new motor coaches and trackless trolleys.

Transit experts from England, Canada, Australia, Norway, Hawaii and points throughout the U. S. A. have visited Indian- apolis to inspect its transit system. This wide interest arose largely from the fact that Indianapolis pioneered the trackless trolley, being the first major city to convert so large a segment of its transportation system to this new type of modern city transit, service.

Automobiles

The average number of persons entering Indianapolis by passenger automobiles per day is estimated to be 86,500. In 1945,

663

INDIANAPOLIS RAILWAYS

INTRODUCTION

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Aerial Photo by Miner-Billings

115,755 licenses were issued for passenger automobiles in Marion County. Excellent city paving and connecting hard roads have made automobile and truck transportation a most important factor in local distribution.

Aviation

Indianapolis is directly in the line of the safest, swiftest, most direct and most economical airway between the East and the West coasts. There are six landing fields adjacent to the city. Privately- owned, Hoosier, Sky Harbor and Robert Shanks. Governmental, Schoen Field at Fort Benjamin Harrison; Stout Field, the A.A.F. Reserve and Indiana National Guard Air Wing headquarters; and the Weir Cook Indianapolis Municipal Airport.

The Weir Cook Indianapolis Municipal Airport ranks among the largest and best equipped in the entire country. It is located six and seven-tenths miles southwest of the center of the business district of the city, and can be reached in from fifteen to twenty minutes. It is just south of the main east and west thoroughfare through Indianapolis, which is U. S. National Highway 40. The port consists of 1,200 acres and is one and one-half miles across from east to west and one and one-quarter miles across from north to south.

Four major air lines: American Airlines, Inc., Chicago & Southern Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and Trans World Airlines,

Inc., were operating fifty-four daily schedules in and out of this airport in October, 1946.

A $160,000 administration building houses the following: Con- trol tower, weather bureau, office space for operators, restaurants, Western Union Telegraph, air mail office, chart room, emergency hospital, ticket offices, waiting room and other facilities for handling the public. When improvements, now being constructed, are completed, the Indianapolis Municipal Airport will provide one of the finest flying fields in the world. It has approximately 26,000 feet of paved runways, with widths varying from 100 to 150 feet. The U. S. Civil Aeronautics Authority maintains its safety testing laboratory at this airport.

The Technical Development Section of Civil Aeronautics Administration (at the time this is written) is preparing to move from Washington, D. C., to a new and completely modern labor- atory building on the edge of the airport. The department's work in developing air-travel safety through radionics, airport-marking, fire-prevention, etc., will be carried on at this laboratory.

The Government maintains a radio beacon station, which is located in the extreme southeast corner of the field. The United States Weather Bureau has installed complete weather forecasting equipment including upper air observation. It is able to give hourly weather reports for all parts of the United States.

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THE HEART OF INDIANAPOLIS FROM THE AIR

INTRODUCTION

The north portion of the airport (107 acres) has been set aside for the development of aviation industries. Industries located on this ground will have the use of one of the outstanding airports in the country. This industrial ground is served by railroad, inter- urban, bus and truck lines and is close to one of the best labor communities in the city.

The Weir Cook Indianapolis Municipal Airport is owned, managed and operated by the city of Indianapolis. The field is for the use of any and all licensed operators of aircraft. Activity in all phases of aviation is encouraged.

Banks

During the year 1945 the bank clearings for Indianapolis banking houses, members of the Indianapolis Clearing House Association, were $1,678,568,000. Deposits, $765,293,000. Resources of all Indianapolis banks are $809,765,000.

Building and Loan Associations

There are 21 building and loan associations in Indianapolis, one of which is the largest in the Middle West and the second largest in the country. These institutions have a total capitaliz- ation of $71,271,000.

Churches

There are 350 churches in Indianapolis, representing all denominations and nationalities.

Electricity

The local power company has 152,464 meters installed. Direct and alternating current is available in the downtown business district, known as the "mile square." All other sections are sup- plied with alternating current.

The rates of the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. governing the use of domestic and commercial service compare favorably with those of comparable cities, and due to the wide diversity of the manufacturing institutions on its system, the rates for indus- trial services are low.

Gas

One of the most important requirements of any city is having an adequate supply of a refined and controllable fuel. A gas service of excellent quality is furnished in Indianapolis by the Citizens Gas & Coke Utility. A total of 113,895 customers were being served with gas in 1946. There are 1,193.46 miles of mains in Indianapolis. Domestic rates are 85c for the first 10,000 cubic feet; 75c for the next 10,000 cubic feet; 60c for the next 10,000 cubic feet, and all over 30,000, 50c per 10,000 cubic feet. Commercial, industrial and house-heating rates will be furnished on application.

Water

The capacity of pumping units serving the public water supply system is over 215,500,000 gallons daily. There are 798.6 miles of mains, 6,650 public fire hydrants, and 88,493 accounts (October, 1946). Normal pressure in the down-town district varies from 55 to 62 lbs. The primary source of supply from White River is supplemented by deep wells, with the 7,000,000,000-gallon Geist Reservoir, fed by Fall Creek, as an available source in case of emergency. Treatment of the supply includes coagulation, filtra- tion, sterilization and taste correction. Cost of water varies accord- ing to consumption, with industries receiving one of the best rates in the country.

Coal

Reached by three railroads in three hours from Indianapolis are 20 beds containing more than 40 billion tons of bituminous coal. Proximity of these inexhaustible supplies to water sources enable development of generating plants and systems to convert

the coal at its source into electric power for industries. The freight rate on Indiana coal into Indianapolis is more than one-half less than on coal from eastern Kentucky or West Virginia.

Factory Sites

Indianapolis has in reserve a vast area for industrial expan- sion. Many acres are available. These districts are interwoven with a network of railroads, including the belt system, affording a great centralized industrial transportation system. Raw materials, trans- portation, power, labor and market are available in this city.

Foreign Trade

A survey of foreign trade reveals that Indianapolis firms are doing business in every corner of the world and that the total volume of business, imports and exports, runs into many millions of dollars. While Indianapolis exports a tremendous quantity of merchandise, manufactured articles and raw materials, certain articles predominate. Among these are automobile accessories, meat products, metal products and machinery, drugs and pharma- ceuticals, food products, flour and grain. Imports come from many countries.

The aggressive Foreign Trade Development Committee of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce has undertaken an extensive expansion of the city's foreign trade volume. A 16,000-mile air tour by sixteen business men to Latin American Republics, in January and February, 1946, followed by a 19,000-mile air tour by twenty business men in October, November and December, 1947, to develop two-way trade, have been features of the unique program.

Building

New building construction in Indianapolis totaled $14,684,040 in value for 1945. During the year there were 10,203 permits issued. Wartime restrictions curtailed construction in 1943, 1944 and 1945, but a vast construction program has now begun.

Assessed Valuation

The assessed vaulation of property in Indianapolis on which taxes were paid in 1946 was $553,287,220.

Indianapolis had a total property tax rate in 1946 of $3.419 on each $100 of assessed valuation.

A gross income tax is levied, amounting to one-fourth of one per cent on industrial and wholesale business, and one per cent on individual incomes.

In addition, intangibles are taxed at 25 cents on each $100.

Dependence also is placed upon other sources of revenue, in- cluding taxes upon the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce maintains a depart- ment which has for several years participated with the local of- ficials in formulation of their fiscal programs, helping to guarantee balanced budgets along with economy programs that have helped Indianapolis avoid the financial pitfalls that have greatly dis- turbed many other large communities, leaving huge tax bills for past expenditures that eventually must be met, and can only be met through great burden upon their taxpayers.

Telephone Service

The Indiana Bell Telephone Co., 240 N. Meridian St., owns and occupies one of the nation's finest wire communications build- ings, and the most modern in telephone equipment is available to businesses and homes in the community; and adequate long-dis- tance facilities reach in all directions, affording speedy and econ- omical communications.

The Best in Recreation

The Indiana State Fair Grounds, in Indianapolis, is the scene of the annual State Fair, one of the largest in the country. The fair grounds cover 214 acres, and there are 65 modern, fireproof

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AT NIGHT

INTRODUCTION

buildings, with 16 acres under roof. There are approximately 4,200 exhibits in the 26 departments at the annual State Fair, and the list of premiums totals $175,000. Paid attendance at the eight-day fair in 1946 was 627,573, an all-time record. A new coliseum, with a permanent seating capacity of 8,500 and an additional temporary capacity of 6,500 in the arena, was built at a cost of over $1,000,000.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the first and greatest automobile race course in the world. The race attracts to the city around 150,000 persons each year, representing every state and many foreign countries. The 21/2-mile brick oval, built in 1909, is a proving ground and outdoor laboratory where many of the improvements in automobile engines and tires have been de- veloped, as well as the scene of the world's greatest race.

The city has 57 moving-picture theatres and four legitimate houses. There are 32 parks, with 3,227 acres, and 70 playgrounds. Five powerful radio stations carry American, Columbia, Mutu- al and National network programs.

Other recreational activities include midget auto races; boat- ing and motorboat races, Westlake and White River; Grand Cir- cuit harness racing at State Fair Grounds track, one of the fin- est in the nation; American Association baseball at Indianapolis "Indians" Victory Field; amateur basketball at Butler University Field House; professional basketball at National Guard Armory; State High School basketball tournament finals at Butler Field House and State Fair Grounds Coliseum; football, Butler Uni- versity Stadium; golf, including nationally-recognized tournament play, at public and private courses (including several magnificent country clubs); ice hockey, Indianapolis Capitols, International American League, at Fair Grounds Coliseum; riding, many private stables and public bridle paths; swimming, six municipal park pools, including the nation's second largest artificial bathing beach; many country club pools, and three privately-owned public parks; boxing and wrestling, National Guard Armory and out- door arena; roller skating, two large and modern indoor roller rinks; ice skating, Fair Grounds Coliseum.

Education

The educational facilities of Indianapolis provide excellent training in almost any line. With 91 public grade schools, a fresh-air school, a school for crippled children, 7 high schools and 18 parochial schools and academies, Indianapolis offers splendid educational advantages to more than 81,000 students each semester. Butler University, including Teachers College and College of Re- ligion, Indiana Central College, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indiana Univer- sity and Purdue University Extension Schools, Indianapolis College

of Pharmacy, Indiana Law School, St. Agnes Academy, Park School, Tudor Hall, Ladywood School, Orchard School, St. John's Academy, Normal College of the North American Gymnastics Union, John E. Herron Art Institute, Indiana State School for the Deaf, Bogue Institute for Stammerers, Board of Industrial Aid for the Blind, Indiana State School for the Blind, and other special schools in music, arts and business training are located in Indianapolis. The school system of Indianapolis is governed by a commission elected by the citizens. The commission elects a superintendent to have executive control over the school system, and a business director to have similar control of fiscal affairs. Indianapolis is the home of the largest extension branches of the two state universities, through which is offered training in prac- tically every phase of university work. Butler University, with its present daily enrollment of approximately 3,600, and 600 in even- ing classes, likewise offers extension courses. Indiana Central College is the third distinct institution of higher learning in Indianapolis. The John E. Herron Art Institute ranks high among the country's institutions for the development of the artistically inclined. Its art school is constantly training young artists to continue the work of Indiana's leaders-Adams, Forsythe and Steele. The Indianapolis Public Library contains 691,200 volumes. Twenty-one branches are maintained at convenient locations throughout the city. The business branch, in the down-town dis- trict, gives special information service to business men.

Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music is affiliated with Butler University and offers exceptional opportunity for the study of music.

The Indianapolis public school system also maintains a de- partment of special education through which the organization and administration of special classes are offered for retarded children, crippled children, children with defective eyesight, and hospital cases.

The Children's Museum is considered a valuable supplement to the regular public school curriculum.

"The University of the City of Indianapolis"

Butler University operates under a special charter granted by the Indiana Legislature in 1849. This charter defines the pur- poses and scope of the institution as follows:

"To establish, found, maintain and perpetuate an institution of learning of the highest class, for the education of the youth of all parts of the United States, and especially of the states of the Northwest; to establish in said institution departments or colleges for the instruction of the students in every branch of liberal and professional education; to educate and prepare suitable teachers

ADMINISTRATION AND EQUIPMENT BLDG., INDIANA BELL TELEPHONE CO., INDIANAPOLIS

INTRODUCTION

BUTLER UNIVERSITY

for the common schools of the country; to teach and inculcate the Christian faith and Christian morality as taught in the sacred Scriptures, and to promote the sciences and arts."

This charter went into effect Jan. 15, 1850. The organization of the corporation was completed and the first board of directors elected in 1852. Funds were subscribed by members of the Chris- tian churches and citizens of Indiana, and the University opened its doors Nov. 1, 1855, as North Western Christian University, on College Ave., Indianapolis. The College of Liberal Arts, opened at that time, has since had an uninterrupted existence.

In 1873 the board of directors decided to move the University to Irvington, then a suburb of the city, and in 1875 instruction of the college classes was begun in the new location.

In recognition of the benefactions of Ovid Butler, the name of the institution was changed from North Western Christian University to Butler University, Feb. 28, 1877. This change did not affect any chartered obligations of the corporation or its purposes, all of which have been determined by a legislative act and by the recorded resolutions of the board of directors.

By resolution of the board of directors, April 8, 1896, the name "Butler College" was adopted in lieu of "Butler University," to designate the under-graduate academic department. The legal name of the corporation, however, remains unchanged.

At the triennial election of directors, June 17, 1909, the stock- holders voted to make the newly-elected board of twenty-one directors self-perpetuating. This action was taken under a statute enacted by the Indiana General Assembly in its session of 1909.

In 1923 it became evident that the growth of the institution would soon require new and larger buildings. The board of direc- tors decided to secure a new site that would provide adequately for future development. As a result of that decision, Fairview Park, a beautiful tract of 246 acres in the northern part of the city, was purchased. The buildings on the new campus are: The Arthur Jordan Memorial Hall, the Chapel, the Field House and Gymnasium, and the Stadium, These buildings are modern in every way and are admirably adapted to the purposes for which they were designed. The Arthur Jordan Memorial Hall is named in honor of Arthur Jordan, of Indianapolis, who contributed a million dollars toward its construction. Plans are complete for new build- ings to house additional schools planned by the university,

Labor

In a large measure Indianapolis labor is thoroughly American. The typical factory employee is reliable, capable and efficient. He is economical and thrifty. He owns his own home, sends his children to school and college, and is himself interested in edu- cation. In considering the supply of labor in Indianapolis, one should have regard not only for the supply afforded by the city proper, which is abundant, but also for that of the surrounding territory. On every side are suburbs and small towns with motor- bus and interurban service at regular short intervals. Improved roads lead in from every direction. Many people from points 40 to 50 miles out, work in Indianapolis, The potential labor supply from these sources is great. The relations of employer and em- ployee are strictly harmonious, and conditions are in every way conducive to economical operation. A population 84% native

JOHN HERRON ART INSTITUTE

The John Herron Art Institute, ad- ministered by the Art Association of Indianapolis, is the largest organization of its kind in the state, and recognized throughout the country for the import- ance of its art collection and the quality of its instruction. It includes an art museum and art school housed in sep- arate buildings. It is supported by memberships, endowment, special gifts and municipal funds. The Art Associa- tion was organized in 1883. Through the bequest of John Herron, the present site was purchased and buildings were erected in 1906. The collection of paintings, sculpture, pottery, etc., has grown steadily, and now includes items from all parts of the world. It is located at 16th and Pennsylvania Streets.

INTRODUCTION

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WORLD WAR MEMORIAL SHRINE

white, 13% Negro, and only 3% foreign-born, affords an abundant supply of skilled and unskilled workers, both male and female.

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, located in the heart of the city, is recognized as one of the finest pieces of colossal sculp- ture in the United States. It was built in the years 1887-1901, at a cost of approximately $600,000. It is 284 feet high and is the second tallest monument in the United States.

Four epochs in the history of Indiana are commemorated by bronze statues of representative men of the times occupying positions around the monument between the converging points of the intersecting streets. These are the period of the Revolution, represented by a statue of George Rogers Clark; the War of 1812 and the battle of Tippecanoe, by a statue of Wm. Henry Harrison; the Mexican War, by a statue of Gov. James Whitcomb; and the Civil War, by a statue of Indiana's great "war governor," Oliver P. Morton.

War Memorial Plaza

The City of Indianapolis, Marion County, and the State of Indiana have joined hands to provide the wonderful Memorial Plaza, which includes five city blocks in the heart of the state capital.

The main Memorial building is faced with selected Indiana limestone, with granite steps and walk. A World War museum is located in the basement of the building, and rooms on the first floor provide ample space for patriotic meetings. On a base of pink granite in the middle of the south stairway to the Memorial Shrine Room stands the largest sculptural bronze casting ever made in America-Henry Hering's "Pro Patria."

National and state headquarters of the American Legion oc- cupy a beautiful State-owned building in the northwest corner of the plaza. The State Legislature has appropriated $2,500,000 for

construction of two new buildings of Legion National Headquarters and headquarters of other patriotic organizations at other points on the plaza in the near future.

Victory Field

Victory Field, the home of the Indianapolis American Associ- ation Baseball team appropriately named the "Indians," is one of the outstanding parks of this character in the country, having been constructed at a cost of approximately one-half million dol- lars. This stadium is considered the best illuminated field in the country for night baseball, which has been featured for the past several years.

The Children's Museum

One of the foremost children's museums in the United States is located in Indianapolis. Since its inception in 1925, when a very few curios were displayed in a barn at Delaware and Four- teenth Streets, the Museum has grown until it enjoys a member- ship well in excess of 10,000. Approximately 25,000 objects are attractively displayed in the large home at 3010 N. Meridian St.

The Children's Museum has been of great value to the public schools in the many ways it has supplemented and strengthened the courses.

Postal Receipts The post-office receipts for 1945 were $6,755,326.

Mail Service

There are 60 mail trains and 48 air-mail planes in and out of Indianapolis every 24 hours. Supplemented with this service are "star route" trucks and one highway postal service bus, leav- ing early in the morning with mail to be delivered within a radius of 100 miles to stations not accessible to regular mail train routes for early morning delivery. The "star route" service is used each day except Sunday.

INTRODUCTION

Parcel Post

Low-cost parcel post delivery can be had from Indianapolis. The first three or four zones, in which the rates are cheapest, cover the greatest concentrated business territory in the United States. The first three postal zones of Indianapolis embrace all the states adjoining Indiana except a small portion of Northern Michigan. The fourth zone includes nearly all the next bordering states. The fifth zone extends from Maine to Colorado and from Canada to Florida.

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Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1947, Part 3

Author: Publication date: 1947 Publisher: R.L. Polk Number of Pages: 1572

Author:
Publication date: 1947
Publisher: R.L. Polk
Number of Pages: 1572