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

Pathological Department / Old Pathology Building

Pathological Department Side of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

1. Pathological Department Side of Marker

Inscription. Pathological Department Dr. George F. Edenharter established a teaching and research laboratory for Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane in 1896. Among the earliest facilities to use scientific methods to study the causes of mental diseases, it represented a shift from mere custodial care to the development of useful treatments. Architect Adolph Scherrer designed the 19-room structure.

Old Pathology Building Pathologists and neurologists at the facility used autopsy and chemical analyses to study mental illness. The lab received national attention for new technologies and work space design. In 1925, staff were among the first to study and use malarial treatment for neurosyphilis and by 1944 conducted trials for penicillin. The building was saved as a museum in 1969.

Erected 2019 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Indiana Medical History Museum. (Marker Number 49.2019.4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the National Register of Historic Places series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 39° 46.181′ N, 86° 12.79′ W. Marker is in

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Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Hawthorne. Marker is at the intersection of West Drive and Kirkbride Way, on the right when traveling south on West Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3270 Kirkbride Way, 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. Old Pathology Building (a few steps from this marker); Central State Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hawthorne Branch Library No. 2 (approx. 0.6 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Anthony Wayne (approx. 0.8 miles away); Floyd "Pop" Dreyer (approx. 1.3 miles away); Walker House (approx. 1½ miles away); Hine Street (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . .
1. Old Pathology Building (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the building, which was listed in 1972 (National Archives). (Submitted on August 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Pathological Department / Old Pathology Building. Dr. Edenharter hoped to inaugurate a new era of treatment for the mentally ill with the pathological laboratory, by shedding light on how brain structure correlated to mental illnesses. (Indiana Historical Bureau) (Submitted on August 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. All Indy Adventures: Indiana Medical History Museum. Television news feature on the museum, its history and the stories

Old Pathology Building Side of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

2. Old Pathology Building Side of Marker

behind some of its specimens. (WISH-TV, Feb. 4, 2021) (Submitted on August 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Pathological Department / Old Pathology Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

3. Pathological Department / Old Pathology Building Marker

The Old Pathology Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 6, 2023

4. The Old Pathology Building

It featured 19 working rooms and a 150-seat auditorium when built. It now is the Indiana Medical History Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.