Monrovia in Morgan County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Branch McCracken

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 20, 2022

1. Branch McCracken Marker (Front)

Inscription.
Esteemed basketball player and coach Emmett Branch McCracken was born in Monrovia in 1908. He led Monrovia High School to Tri-State Tournament wins in 1925 and 1926, as two-time MVP. McCracken played for Indiana University from 1927-1930. He led IU in scoring for three years and became a three-time All-Big Ten Team member. Inducted into Naismith Hall of Fame in 1960.

McCracken coached Ball State basketball, 1930-1938. Hired as IU head coach in 1938, his team won the 1940 national championship. He served in the Navy during WWII; returned to IU in 1946. He coached Bill Garrett, the first African American regular starter in Big Ten basketball, 1948-1951. In 1953, he led IU to another national title. Retired in 1965; died in 1970.

Erected 2017 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Monroe-Gregg School District. (Marker Number 55.2017.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 39° 34.593′ N, 86° 28.791′ W. Marker is in Monrovia, Indiana, in Morgan County. It is on South Chestnut Street (Indiana Route 39)

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0.1 miles south of East Washington Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 175 S Chestnut St, Monrovia IN 46157, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana

and specifically in Greater Indianapolis.

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Monrovia High School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hubbard Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); West Union Friends Meeting (approx. 0.9 miles away); Samuel Moore (approx. 6.1 miles away); Indiana State Flag (approx. 6.1 miles away); McCormack-Bowman House (approx. 6½ miles away); Sugar Grove Meeting House (approx. 8 miles away); Eat (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monrovia.

Also see . . . Branch McCracken: A Hoosier Hardwood Hero. Untold Indian website entry (Submitted on August 26, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Branch McCracken Marker (Back) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 20, 2022

2. Branch McCracken Marker (Back)

Branch McCracken image. Click for full size.

via Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, unknown

3. Branch McCracken

Branch McCracken Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 20, 2022

4. Branch McCracken Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 20, 2022

5. Branch McCracken Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on August 26, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.