Wholesale District in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

West Washington Street

Indianapolis

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2019

1. West Washington Street Marker

Inscription. When the gentleman smoking the pipe glanced at the camera in 1937, he had no idea that people in future generations would be glancing at him and looking past him into Indianapolis history.

Perhaps our pipe smoker purchased his suit at one of the department stores that competed across from each other on Washington Street — The L.S. Ayres & Co. store and the H.P. Wasson & Co. store.

This view west on Washington Street from Meridian Street is what countless Americans saw as they traveled the National Road that linked the East Coast with the western states. You can spot the "U.S. 40" designation on a lamppost.

Washington Street has always been a focal point of Indianapolis commerce and entertainment, a fitting role for the street that was originally intended to serve as "Main Street" when the city was founded in 1821. At 120 feet wide, Washington Street was designed to be the widest street in the city.

You can see the 1921 Hotel Lincoln and the 1902 Claypool Hotel — two of the city's leading hotels of the period — across from each other at the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 39° 46.027′ N, 86° 9.477′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in the Wholesale District. It is on East Washington Street east of South Meridian Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Indianapolis IN 46204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: L. S. Ayres & Company Department Store Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Merchants National Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana's Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2019

2. West Washington Street Marker

Washington St. Historic Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowen-Merrill Fire / Indianapolis Fire Department (within shouting distance of this marker); Here in 1867 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eli Lilly and Company (about 300 feet away); Circle Theatre (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.