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

The Syrian Quarter

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

1. The Syrian Quarter Marker [Front]

Inscription.
Arabic-speaking Syrian immigrants settled here on Willard St. by 1893 in small, crowded multiple-family row homes. They created a vibrant neighborhood alongside Black Americans and European immigrants. Searching for economic opportunities in the United States, many Syrians worked as peddlers or in local factories, shifting to the grocery store business after WWI.

Syrian immigrants and their families faced xenophobia, racism, and debates over their "whiteness" while fighting for naturalized citizenship in the early 1900s. Mostly Christians, they celebrated holidays here with traditional Arab foods and folk music. By 1920, they moved from this area and began establishing Arab cultural institutions in other parts of Indianapolis.

Erected 2023 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Arab Indianapolis Foundation, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 49.2023.4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 39° 45.674′ N, 86° 9.732′

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W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Mile Square. Marker is at the intersection of South Capitol Avenue and West South Street, on the right when traveling east on South Capitol Avenue. Located at the NE corner of Lucas Oil Stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis IN 46206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Peyton Manning (within shouting distance of this marker); The Slippery Noodle Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Muir in Indianapolis (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pan American Games Cauldron (approx. 0.2 miles away); President Benjamin Harrison (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chief Tecumseh (approx. ¼ mile away); St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (approx. ¼ mile away); From Dirt & Gravel to Granite & Steel (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

The Syrian Quarter Marker [Reverse] image. Click for full size.

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

2. The Syrian Quarter Marker [Reverse]

The Syrian Quarter Marker image. Click for full size.

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

3. The Syrian Quarter Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 85 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear photo of one side & wide shot. • Can you help?