Mile Square in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bowen-Merrill Fire / Indianapolis Fire Department

Bowen-Merrill Fire Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 25, 2011

1. Bowen-Merrill Fire Marker

Inscription.
Side A:Bowen-Merrill FireOn March 17, 1890 the Bowen-Merrill Company stationery and book store at 16-18 West Washington Street caught fire. Eighty-six firemen fought the blaze. The wood framed roof and floors collapsed, dropping many men into the fire. Thirteen deaths resulted, the deadliest fire for firefighters in Indianapolis history.

Side B: Indianapolis Fire DepartmentVolunteer force founded 1826; established as Indianapolis Fire Department with paid force 1859. Bowen-Merrill disaster 1890 led to reorganization and city Board of Public Safety. Indiana General Assembly enabled Firemen's Pension Funds 1891. Improvements in training, equipment, and water access came by early 1900s.

Erected 1999 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Indianapolis Firefighters Local 416. (Marker Number 49.1999.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1728.

Location. 39° 46.032′ N, 86° 9.525′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Mile Square. Marker is on

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West Washington Street just west of Meridian Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in front of the Rock Bottom Brewery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Indianapolis IN 46204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Indiana's Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); L. S. Ayres & Company Department Store Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Griffith Block (within shouting distance of this marker); West Washington Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Lynching of John Tucker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Merchants National Bank Building (about 300 feet away); James Whitcomb (about 400 feet away); Here in 1867 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . . Indianapolis Fire Department. (Submitted on March 28, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Indianapolis Fire Department Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 25, 2011

2. Indianapolis Fire Department Marker

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 25, 2011

3. Bowen-Merrill Fire Marker

Washington Street Indianapolis

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,229 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on March 28, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on March 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.