Butler-Tarkington in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Hinkle Fieldhouse

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

1. Hinkle Fieldhouse Marker, Side One

Inscription.
Butler Fieldhouse, noted for its design and size, anchored campus sports upon its 1928 opening. During WWII, it served as a military training center. The fieldhouse hosted legendary high school games, such as the 1954 Milan Miracle, which inspired the film Hoosiers, and the 1955 and 56 state titles won by Crispus Attucks, the first all-Black team to win the tournament.

Renamed for Hall of Fame Coach Paul D. "Tony" Hinkle in 1965, Hinkle Fieldhouse has featured sporting, political, and cultural events, ranging from presidential speeches to concerts and circuses. Through 1971, it hosted IHSAA State Basketball Finals each March, the pinnacle of Hoosier Hysteria. It remains a campus focal point and symbol of Indiana basketball tradition.

Erected 2023 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Butler University, Chris and Sally Wirthwein. (Marker Number 49.2023.2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 39° 50.57′ N,

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86° 10.095′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Butler-Tarkington. It is at the intersection of West 49th Street and Sunset Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West 49th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 West 49th Street, Indianapolis IN 46208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Central Canal & Towpath (approx. 0.2 miles away); Booth Tarkington (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Central Canal (approx. one mile away); Janet Flanner (approx. one mile away); Toll House - Michigan Road (approx. 1.1 miles away); Oliver Johnson House (approx. 1.1 miles away); North Meridian Street Historic District

Hinkle Fieldhouse Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

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

2. Hinkle Fieldhouse Marker, Side Two

(approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named North Meridian Street Historic District (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . . Hinkle Fieldhouse. Excerpt:

It is the sixth-oldest college basketball arena still in use. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1987, Hinkle Fieldhouse is sometimes referred to as "Indiana's Basketball Cathedral."

(Submitted on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Hinkle Fieldhouse Marker image. Click for full size.

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

3. Hinkle Fieldhouse Marker

Hinkle Fieldhouse image. Click for full size.

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

4. Hinkle Fieldhouse

Hinkle Fieldhouse Additional Marker image. Click for full size.

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

5. Hinkle Fieldhouse Additional Marker

Hinkle Fieldhouse was made a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.