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

South Meridian Street

Indianapolis

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 31, 2024

1. South Meridian Street Marker

Inscription. This photograph takes you back in time to the height of the Wholesale District of Indianapolis in 1907, when Theodore Roosevelt was president of the United States. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument — a memorial to Hoosiers who fought in the Civil War — still dominates this view looking north on Meridian Street.

The people in the carriages were surrounded by wholesalers selling china, glass, cigars, toys, hats, liquor, hardware and groceries.

Founded in the 1860s by business leader Henry Schnull, who immigrated from Germany, the thriving Wholesale District linked the railroad freight terminals and Union Station with the city's retail hub at Meridian and Washington streets.

The overhead cables you see in the photograph are for streetcars. A crate in front of Hollweg & Reese was shipped from Germany. The street light shown here inspired the 1995 re-creations you can see today along the street.

The facades of the House of Crane cigar wholesaler, Schnull-Rothschild and Malott buildings still grace the streetscape. The facades were recycled and integrated into Circle Centre, as was the cast-iron facade of the Vajen's

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Exchange Block (now immediately north of the Malott), which was dismantled in 1980 from elsewhere in downtown, saved and re-erected.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 39° 45.869′ N, 86° 9.486′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in the Wholesale District. It is at the intersection of South Meridian Street and East Georgia Street, on the right when traveling west on South Meridian Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 S Meridian St, Indianapolis IN 46225, 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

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

2. South Meridian Street Marker

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hibben, Hollweg & Company Building (a few steps from this marker); McKee Building (a few steps from this marker); Madame C.J. Walker (within shouting distance of this marker); The House of Crane (within shouting distance of this marker); President Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernest "Ernie" Pyle (within shouting distance of this marker); Schnull-Rothschild Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Malott Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 31, 2024

3. South Meridian Street Marker

Marker is in front of the District Tap restaurant

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 761 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 8, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on April 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 8, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.