Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1949, Part 3

Author:
Publication date: 1949
Publisher: R.L. Polk
Number of Pages: 1460

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At the time of going to press, statistics from the latest U. S. Census of Manufactures have not been made available. Hence the enormous increase in peace-time industrial production since the war has not been reflected in some of the statements relating to the city's business life. As of Jan. 1, 1949, Indianapolis had ap- proximately 110,000 persons employed in industry. On that same date, total employment in Indianapolis was 328,000 persons.

Trade

Indianapolis is a wholesale center of importance. According to the 1939 U. S. Census, there were 846 wholesalers and distrib- utors, and 5,208 retail establishments in Indianapolis. The territory has 37 towns of 1,000 population or more, served by these jobbers and retailers. Many of these organizations reach over the entire country. Indianapolis, although 20th in population, is 13th in volume of retail sales.

WHOLESALE

According to the data collected, in the Census of Distribution taken in 1939, the volume of business done by the 487 wholesalers proper located in the city of Indianapolis during the year 1939 amounted to $149,398,000. These wholesalers employed 6,824 men and women, paid them $11,132,000 in salaries and wages, and carried a stock at the end of the year, the cost value of which amounted to $13,742,000.

In addition to the wholesalers proper, there is also a large number of establishments in the wholesale field, such as manu- facturers' sales branches and bulk tank stations in the petroleum industry, which operate very much like wholesalers. The total volume of business transacted by all establishments in the whole- sale field in Indianapolis in 1939 amounted to $374,483,000. This volume of business was reported by 846 establishments which employed 10,056 men and women, paid them salaries and wages of $17,268,000, and carried a stock at the end of the year, the cost value of which amounted to $18,470,000.

The 1939 census of wholesale distribution for Indianapolis covering 487 wholesale establishments (exclusive of manufacturers'

MERIDIAN STREET LOOKING NORTH FROM MARYLAND STREET

U. S. COURT HOUSE AND POST OFFICE

sales branches with and without stocks, bulk stations, agents and brokers) lists the following number of firms under each classifi- cation and their volume of business for the year:

Business Classifications

No. of Firms

Sales

Amusement and sporting goods

$ 718,000

Automotive

20,941,000

Chemicals and paints

694,000

Clothing and furnishings

626,000

Coal and coke

2,725,000

Drugs (general and specialty lines)

7,574,000

Dry Goods (general and specialty lines)

7 23

8,464,000

Farm products-consumers goods

15,338,000

Farm products-raw materials

6,000,000

Farm supplies

11,267,000

Furniture and house furnishings

3,106,000

Groceries (general line)

9,307,000

Groceries and foods (specialty lines)

5,871,000

Hardware

6,502,000

Jewelry

518,000

Lumber and construction materials

2,575,000

Machinery-equipment -- supplies

9,007,000

Metals and metal work (except scrap)

1,958,000

Paper and its products

4,840,000

Petroleum and its products

1,466,000

Plumbing and heating equipment and supplies

2,716,000

Tobacco and products (except leaf)

6,801,000

Waste materials

4,737,000

All other products

3,118,000

RETAIL

Indianapolis is a much more important retail center than its population indicates because of the flow of retail trade constantly attracted to the city by its unusual retail facilities from a large territory that blankets central Indiana.

The Retail Distribution Census for 1939 reveals that Indian- apolis had a total of 5,208 retail establishments doing a business of $188,553,000, with 4,285 active proprietors employing 25,614 persons who received in wages and salaries that year, $25,223,000.

There were 1,685 stores in the food group which did an annual business in 1939, of $34,498,000. This group had 3,581 employees who received $3,061,000 in salaries and wages.

In the general merchandise group, which includes dry goods, department and variety stores, there were 149 establishments, with $37,755,000 in sales, and 6,502 employees who received $6,626,000 in wages.

In the apparel group there were 265 stores which did a volume of business in 1939, of $14,135,000, giving employment to 1,930 persons who received $2,108,000 in salaries and wages.

The automotive group according to the 1939 census, had 157 places of business doing a sales volume of $28,836,000. This group gave employment to 1,911 persons who received $2,800,000 in sal- aries and wages.

bus

This census also listed 543 filling stations which did an annual business for 1939, of $10,868,000, and gave employment to 965 persons who were paid $868,000 in salaries and wages.

Volume

Beer, wines and liquors

10,277,000

2,252,000

Electrical goods

44 7

INTRODUCTION

The lumber-building-hardware group was shown to have 121 stores which did $5,285,000 in business in 1939 and employed 539 persons who received $701,000 in wages.

This census also revealed a total of 975 eating and drinking establishments in 1939, doing an annual business of $14,247,000 and giving employment to 4,137 persons who received $2,472,000 in wages."

According to the 1939 census, Indianapolis had 283 drug stores which did $11,566,000 in business that year. These stores employed 1,559 persons and paid $1,233,000 in salaries and wages.

All other retail stores (which include cigar stores and stands, florists, fuel and ice, feed, farm supplies, jewelry, office and school supply dealers, sporting goods stores and miscellaneous classifi- cations) numbered 616 establishments doing $18,582,000 in business in 1939. These stores employed 2,525 persons and paid $2,983,000 in salaries and wages.

Transportation

The geographical location of Indianapolis, and the topography of the surrounding region, have operated to the city's advantage as a transportation center. The location of Indianapolis places it in the pathway of the country's great east-west traffic flow, and the absence of any hazards of land formation has made the unhampered development of transportation facilities possible. Sixteen steam railroad lines lead in every direction from Indian- apolis. Companies having one or more lines serving Indianapolis are the New York Central System (Big Four), Baltimore & Ohio. Illinois Central, C. I. & L. (Monon), Nickel Plate and Pennsylvania. The Belt Railroad in Indianapolis has direct connection with eleven entering lines, and insures rapid interchange of traffic from one to another. It swings around the east, south and west sections of the city, and provides switching facilities for hundreds of acres of excellent factory-site property. All switching and wheelage charges are absorbed by the railroads, so that the Indianapolis manufacturer, whether he is located on the Belt or on an individual railroad line, can ship or receive goods via any one of the sixteen lines without cost other than the regular freight charges as established by the Indiana Public Service Commission and the Interstate Commerce Commission.

One hundred twenty-one railroad passenger trains arrive and depart from Indianapolis daily.

There are more than 105 motor truck lines operating out of Indianapolis, giving scheduled package freight delivery service and having also the facilities for special contract work.

The city transportation facilities, 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 $6,000,000 on continued modernization.

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 four street-car, seventeen trackless trolley, 26 motor-coach and seven feeder bus lines fan out through the city, reaching every section of the Hoosier capital and several suburban communities. There are 248 route miles of service, and at the present time the system is serving approximately 238,000 riders per day.

NORTH ILLINOIS STREET LOOKING NORTH FROM WASHINGTON STREET

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 automobiles entering Indianapolis per day is estimated to be 75,000. In 1948, 139,782 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 distribu- tion.

663

INDIANAPOLIS RAILWAYS

INTRODUCTION

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Aerial Photo by Miner-Billings

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, Brightwood, 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 85 daily schedules in and out of this airport in March, 1949.

A $200,000 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 40,000 feet of paved runways, with widths varying from 100 to 150 feet. The U. S. Civil Aeronautics Authority maintains its safety laboratory at this airport.

The Technical Development Section of Civil Aeronautics Administration recently moved from Washington, D. C., to a new and completely modern laboratory building on the edge of the airport. The department's work in developing air-travel safety through radionics, airport-marking, fire-prevention, etc., is car- ried 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.

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 1948 the bank clearings for Indianapolis banking houses, members of the Indianapolis Clearing House Association, were $2,747,055,000. Debits, $7,462,579,000. Resources of all Indianapolis banks are $796,894,000 (Jan. 1, 1949).

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 $71,486,000.

· Churches

There are 515 churches in Indianapolis, representing all denominations and nationalities.

Electricity

The local power company has 158,066 customer accounts. 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 121,866 customers were being served with gas in March, 1949. There are 1,212.05 miles of mains in In- dianapolis.

Water

The capacity of pumping units serving the public water supply system is over 223,500,000 gallons daily. There are 840 miles of mains, 7,925 public fire hydrants, and 96,632 accounts (March, 1949). 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 World Trade Committee of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce conducts an extensive program to expand the city's foreign trade volume.

Building

New building construction in the Indianapolis metropolitan area totaled $63,586,679 in value for 1948. During the year there were 23,218 permits issued. A total of 3,566 permits for new residence structures were issued during the year.

Assessed Valuation

The assessed vaulation of property in Indianapolis on which taxes were paid in 1949 was $603,926,540.

Indianapolis had a total property tax rate in 1948 of $4.49 on each $100 of assessed valuation.

A gross income tax is levied with base rates amounting to one-fourth of one percent on industrial and wholesale business, one-half of one percent on retail business and one percent on individual income. Beginning July 1, 1949, an additional levy to finance a soldiers' bonus is made at the rate of one-quarter of one percent on all income and transactions, except those from retail sales, which is one-eighth of one percent.

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., with headquarters at 240 N. Meridian St., furnishes local and long-distance service through more than 100 central offices in this state.

All telephones in Indianapolis are dial-operated, assuring fast, accurate and uniform service. Long-distance facilities, greatly expanded in recent years, are available for out-of-town calls.

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 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 $200,000. Paid attendance at the eight-day fair in 1948 was 628,324. A coliseum, with a permanent seating capacity of 8,500 and an additional temporary capacity of 6,500 in the arena, is used for many types of public events.

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.

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AT NIGHT

INTRODUCTION

The city has 53 moving-picture theatres and two legitimate houses. There are 32 parks, with 3,519 acres, and 40 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 Butler University Field House; State High School basketball tournament finals at Butler Field House and State Fair Grounds Coliseum; football, Butler University Stadium; golf, including nationally-recognized tourna- ment play, at public and private courses (including several mag- nificent country clubs) : ice hockey, Indianapolis Capitols, Inter- national 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 82 public grade schools, a fresh-air school, a school for crippled children, seven high schools, 35 parochial elementary schools and academies, and four parochial high schools, Indianapolis offers splendid educational advantages. Butler University, including the College of Religion and the College of Pharmacy; Indiana Central College, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Den- tistry, Indiana University and Purdue University Extension Schools, Indiana University Law School, St. Agnes Academy, Park School, Tudor Hall, Ladywood School, Marian College, Orchard School, St. John's Academy, Normal College of the North American Gymnastics Union, John E. Herron Art Institute, Arthur Jordan College of Music, Indiana State School for the Deaf, Board of In- dustrial Aid for the Blind, Indiana State School for the Blind, and other special schools in music, arts and business training are lo-

cated 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 practically every phase of university work. Butler University, with its present daily enrollment of approximately 5,200, 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 constant- ly training young artists to continue the work of Indiana's leaders -Adams, Forsythe and Steele. The Indianapolis Public Library contains 700,000 volumes. Twenty-one branches are maintained at convenient locations throughout the city. The business branch, in the down-town district, gives special information service to business men.

Arthur Jordan College 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

THE INDIANA BELL TELEPHONE CO.'S ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT INDIANAPOLIS AS IT WILL APPEAR WHEN THE FIVE-STORY ADDITION HAS BEEN COMPLETED, MAKING A TOTAL OF TWELVE STORIES

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.

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Polk's Indianapolis (Marion County, Ind.) city directory, 1949, Part 3

Author: Publication date: 1949 Publisher: R.L. Polk Number of Pages: 1460

Author:
Publication date: 1949
Publisher: R.L. Polk
Number of Pages: 1460