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

The Lilly Family

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

1. The Lilly Family Marker

Inscription. Born in Maryland, Col. Eli Lilly (1838-1898) came to Indiana in the 1850s. He enlisted in the Civil War and organized the 18th Indiana Light Artillery Battery. After the war Lilly opened a pharmaceutical lab in Indianapolis that quickly became a prominent business. Eli Lilly and Co.'s achievements include the first insulin product and development and mass production of the Salk polio vaccine.

Lilly turned the business over to his son, Josiah, and grandsons Josiah K. Jr. (1893-1955) and Eli (1885-1977) joined the company. J.K. Jr. improved business efficiency and expanded sales. Eli applied mass production techniques to drug manufacturing and made the company one of the industry's most desired workplaces. Eli made personal contributions to the Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Landmarks, Conner Prairie and the Episcopal Church.

Ruth Lilly (1915-2009), Col. Lilly's great-granddaughter was a philanthropist who supported youth programs, health education, higher education and poetry. The Lilly Endowment, one of the nation's leading philanthropic institutions was formed in 1937.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 39°

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45.85′ N, 86° 9.408′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in the Wholesale District. It is on East Georgia Street west of South Pennsylvania Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 East Georgia Street, 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: What Was the Wholesale District? (a few steps from this marker); John W. Murphy Building (within shouting distance of this marker); President Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Madame C.J. Walker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hibben, Hollweg & Company Building (about 400 feet away); South Meridian Street (about 400 feet away); McKee Building (about 400 feet away); The House of Crane (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

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

2. The Lilly Family Marker

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

3. The Lilly Family Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 738 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.