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

Madam C.J. Walker Building

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 31, 2024

1. Madam C.J. Walker Building Marker

Inscription. Madam C.J. Walker built a business empire designed to empower Black women. Born Sarah Breedlove, the daughter of formerly enslaved parents developed a line of hair care products that cured her own hair line. With her booming business, she became the country's first self-made female millionaire, a philanthropist, and an advocate for social justice. She moved to Indianapolis in 1910 for its central location, transportation system, and thriving Black business community, and later bought a triangular plot at 617 Indiana Avenue to house the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company's corporate headquarters. In 1914, when she was told she would have to pay an extra fee for a movie ticket in downtown Indianapolis because she was Black, she sued the owners for discrimination and vowed to build her own theater. By 1927, what began as a factory and executive offices had become a vertical commercial complex with multi-tenant offices, the Coffee Pot restaurant, a drugstore, hair salon, cosmetology school, 4,800-square-foot Grand Casino ballroom, and 1,500-seat theater. Designed by Rubush & Hunter and built by W. Jungclaus Company, the

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tan brick flatiron-style African Art Deco building features richly detailed terra cotta trim and abundant Egyptian and Moorish carvings. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Erected by Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 39° 46.571′ N, 86° 10.057′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Downtown. It is on Indiana Avenue west of North West Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 625 Indiana Ave, Indianapolis IN 46202, 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

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 31, 2024

2. Madam C.J. Walker Building Marker

Marker is next to the building, facing the opposite direction

the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Madame C.J. Walker Timeline (here, next to this marker); Madam C.J. Walker (a few steps from this marker); Black Lives Matter Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Sigma Theta Tau International (within shouting distance of this marker); James Overall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Indiana Avenue (about 500 feet away); Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (about 500 feet away); Phyllis Wheatley YWCA (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . . Madam C.J. Walker Building on Wikipedia. Also known as the Madam Walker Theater and the Madam Walker Legacy Center. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. (Submitted on November 1, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Madam C.J. Walker Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 31, 2024

3. Madam C.J. Walker Building

also known as the Madam Walker Legacy Center

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 31, 2024

4. Madam C.J. Walker Building Marker

Madam C.J. Walker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.) (photographers) [Courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

5. Madam C.J. Walker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 489 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 5. submitted on February 20, 2025.