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

Veterans Memorial Plaza

Obelisk Square

— Indiana War Memorial Plaza National Historic Landmark —

Veterans Memorial Plaza Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. Veterans Memorial Plaza Marker

Inscription. Originally known as , "Obelisk Square", this park was completed in 1930 and is situated between the American Legion Mall and the Indiana World War Memorial. Its main feature is the Obelisk fountain. This portion of the Plaza was designed originally to serve as a venue for military parades and related civic events. Pairs of captured German artillery pieces once flanked each corner of the large open plaza.

The Obelisk fountain, which resembles the Washington Monument in the Mall in Washington, D.C., is centrally placed within the Indiana War Memorial Plaza as a symbol of hope and inspiration to the nation. This spire is one hundred feet tall and is composed entirely of black Berwick granite.

The Obelisk is placed within a magnificent two-tiered fountain which is accented with water-jets and colored lights.

The Tribute of the Obelisk
★ Unlike other monuments and memorials of the district, the Obelisk is not dedicated to the veterans of a specific conflict. Rather it stands in silent testimony to the fidelity, sacrifice, and valor of those countless citizens who served (and sometimes died) while the world was at "peace".

★ The Obelisk honors those Hoosiers who manned the outposts of freedom who stood firm on land, sea, and air during the Cold War, who restored

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democracy in Haiti, Grenada, and Panama, and who kept the peace in the Sinai, Bosnia, and Kosovo. The Obelisk also honors family member of Hoosier veterans, those who waited, watched, and worried while their loved ones went in harm's way far from home and family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Cold • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 39° 46.449′ N, 86° 9.371′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Mile Square. It is at the intersection of East Michigan Street and North Pennsylvania Street, on the right when traveling west on East Michigan Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8 East Michigan 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: Indiana World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Reserve Loan Life Insurance Company (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Plaza (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Plaza (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Indiana World War Memorial (about 400 feet away); May Wright Sewall (about 500 feet away);

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

2. Veterans Memorial Plaza Marker

American Legion Mall (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Plaza (about 600 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 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 262 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.