Marian - Cold Springs in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Founders Row

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 1, 2021

1. Founders Row Marker

Inscription.
This area of the Marian University campus was once known as “Millionaire Row” as some of Indianapolis’ wealthiest men resided here. Perhaps the better label would’ve been, “Founder’s Row”, for three of the four founders of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway built homes along Cold Spring Road during the time the Speedway was under construction in 1909. Entrepreneurs Carl Fisher, James Allison, and Frank Wheeler lived here. Only Arthur Newby remained downtown.

As was that era’s custom, their mansions were given vivid names. Fisher’s was Blossom Heath, Wheeler’s, Hawkeye, and Allison’s, Riverdale. It was with Riverdale that Marian University was born. Purchased by the Sisiters of Saint Francis, Riverdale housed the college beginning in1937, and by 1968 Marian occupied all three estates. Fisher’s house was lost to fire in 2014, but the others remain an integral part of the campus, forever linked to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s founders.

Erected 2016 by Indiana Racing Memorial Association; Indiana Bi-Centennial Commission. (Marker Number 19.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 39° 48.969′

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N, 86° 12.098′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Marian - Cold Springs. Marker is on Cold Spring Rd, half a mile north of West 30th Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker stands on the front lawn of the Allison Mansion on the campus of Marian University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis IN 46222, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Marian College (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wilber Shaw Memorial Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Golden Hill Totem Pole (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Henry F. Campbell Mansion (approx. one mile away); James Whitcomb Riley (approx. 1.3 miles away); Indiana AIDS Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Rhoads Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Benjamin Harrison (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 1, 2021

2. Founders Row Marker

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 1, 2021

3. Founders Row Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.