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

James Whitcomb Riley

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 15, 2023

1. James Whitcomb Riley Marker

Inscription. The 'Hoosier Poet,' was buried here in 1917. Known and acclaimed internationally for his poetry about life in the heartland. He is best remembered today for his poems that appeal to children and to the child in all of us, such as "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man." He was especially loved by the many local children who were able to enjoy not only his poetry, but also his time and lemonade on the front porch of his Indianapolis home on Lockerbie Street.

After his death children began donating coins to help pay for his memorial. The tradition of leaving coins on his monument continues today and the money collected is donated to Mr. Riley's legacy, The Riley Hospital for Children.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 39° 49.19′ N, 86° 10.642′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Crown Hill. Marker can be reached from Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Street. Marker is located at Crown Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3740 Doctor MLK Jr St, Indianapolis IN 46208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Indiana AIDS Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Benjamin Harrison (about 600 feet

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away); Crown Hill Racing Legends (about 600 feet away); Richard Jordan Gatling (approx. 0.3 miles away); Crown Hill National Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Mound (approx. 0.3 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.3 miles away); Woman's Relief Corps Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Regarding James Whitcomb Riley. From the cemetery's entrance at Boulevard Place and West 34th Street, there are signs that lead to Riley's tomb as well as Benjamin Harrison's.

Also see . . . James Whitcomb Riley on Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 22, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, September 15, 2023

2. James Whitcomb Riley Marker

Marker is next to Riley's tomb at Crown Hill Cemetery.

James Whitcomb Riley image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, December 30, 2023

3. James Whitcomb Riley

Photo showing the coins that are left behind on the grave as mentioned on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on January 9, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.