Arcadia in Hamilton County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ryan White (1971-1990)
Photographed By Sara Nemtuda
1. Ryan White (1971-1990) Marker
Kokomo native Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 after contracting the virus from a contaminated hemophilia treatment. He faced intense discrimination from his community in a time of fear and misunderstanding about AIDS and was prevented from attending school in his hometown. Hamilton Heights High School welcomed White in 1987 after the family moved to Cicero.
Anticipating White's arrival, Hamilton Heights developed an acclaimed AIDS education campaign. White raised national AIDS awareness while battling the disease and spoke before the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic. He was named Sagamore of the Wabash for his advocacy. The Ryan White CARE Act, providing funds for HIV/AIDS treatment, passed soon after his death.
Erected 2019 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Hamilton Heights School Corporation. (Marker Number 29.2019.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1984.
Location. 40° 10.608′ N, 86° 1.587′ W. Marker is in Arcadia, Indiana, in Hamilton County. Marker is at the intersection
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Roberts Settlement (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Oliver Village Site (approx. 5.3 miles away); Village Welcome (approx. 5.3 miles away); Daily Life Structure (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Stockade Wall (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Mock Excavation (approx. 5.3 miles away); Details in the Dirt (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Community Structure (approx. 5.3 miles away).
More about this marker. The marker stands at the Hamilton Heights Student Activity Center by entrances A and B on West North Street between Dora Avenue and Magnolia Street.
Additional keywords. First wave; early AIDS crisis; AIDS panic
Photographed By Sara Nemtuda
2. Ryan White (1971-1990) Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, November 20, 2022
3. Ryan White (1971-1990) Marker
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, February 19, 2023
4. Ryan White's grave in nearby Cicero
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2021, by Sara Nemtuda of Lafayette, Indiana. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on February 19, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2021, by Sara Nemtuda of Lafayette, Indiana. 3. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on February 19, 2023, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
