Ransom Place in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Historic Ransom Place

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2018

1. Historic Ransom Place Marker, center panel

Inscription. Ransom Place, established in 1887, was named after Freeman B. Ransom, prominent attorney, civic activist, and business leader in the Indianapolis African-American community. Ransom Place was the first African-American neighborhood in Indiana to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Ransom Place is home to the city’s first preservation effort dating to the 1950s and continued in the 1990s by Jean Spears.

(left panel)
The YWCA had an active interest in training and education for women in useful skills. In the 1920s a segregated branch of the YWCA opened at 653 N. West St. in Indianapolis, and additionally provided recreational activities for girls of various ages.

(right panel)
One of the largest segregated YMCAs in the country, the organization was central in the political education for many who lived in this community, particularly through its nationally known “Monster Meetings.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 39° 46.708′ N, 86° 10.216′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Ransom Place. Marker is at the intersection of West St Clair Street and Camp Street

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, on the left when traveling east on West St Clair Street. It is in the Ransom Place Pocket Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Indianapolis IN 46202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ransom Place Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Sigma Theta Tau International (approx. 0.2 miles away); Madame C.J. Walker Timeline (approx. 0.2 miles away); Talking Wall (approx. ¼ mile away); Mary Cable / School No. 4 Site (approx. ¼ mile away); James Overall (approx. ¼ mile away); Felrath Hines, Jr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Indiana Avenue (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . .
1. Ransom Place Historic District. National Park Service entry (Submitted on January 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Freeman Ransom. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. Madam C.J. Walker. “Many of the 20th century's most influential entrepreneurs overcame tremendous odds in their quests for success. But none faced greater obstacles than Madam C.J. Walker. The daughter of former slaves, she was orphaned at the age of 7, married at 14, a mother at 17 and a widow at 20. Yet she was determined to build a better life for herself and her daughter. Starting with a meager investment of only $1.50, she built one of the most successful black-owned businesses of the early 20th century and became the nation's first woman self-made millionaire.”

Historic Ransom Place Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2018

2. Historic Ransom Place Marker

(Submitted on December 30, 2018.)

Historic Ransom Place Marker, left panel image. Click for full size.

Original photograph in the Bass Photo Co. Collection, Indiana Historical Society

3. Historic Ransom Place Marker, left panel

Children playing, Phyllis Weatley YWCA, 1920s. The YWCA had an active interest in training and education for women in useful skills. In the 1920s a segregated branch of the YWCA opened at 653 N. West St. in Indianapolis, and additionally provided recreational activities for girls of various ages.

Original photograph in the Madam C. J. Walker Collection, Indiana Historical Society

4. Historic Ransom Place Marker, left panel

Dedication of the Senate Avenue Young Men’s Christian Association(YMCA) in Indianapolis, 1913. One of the largest segregated YMCAs in the country, the organization was central in the political education for many who lived in this community, particularly through its nationally known “Monster Meetings.” From left to right, George Knox, publisher of The Freeman (Indianapolis); Madam C. J. Walker, entrepreneur; Booker T. Washington, president of Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University); Alexander Manning, editor of the Colored World; Charles H. Bullock, Secretary, Louisville YMCA; and Thomas Taylor, Senate Avenue YMCA Secretary. Back Row: Freeman B. Ransom, attorney for the Walker Company and Dr. Joseph H. Ward.

Ransom Place Pocket Park and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2018

5. Ransom Place Pocket Park and Markers

Freeman B. Ransom image. Click for full size.

via Black Moment, unknown

6. Freeman B. Ransom

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 30, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on January 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.