Samuel Plato

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 28, 2023

1. Samuel Plato Marker, Side One

Inscription.
Samuel Plato (circa 1882-1957), African American architect and contractor, lived in Marion (circa 1903-1921). House here attributed to him; he also designed and built structures throughout the U.S. One of few black architects to win federal contracts for post offices and housing. His work on federal housing earned praise from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, 1943.

During Jim Crow segregation in the first half of twentieth century, Plato broke racial barriers and achieved success in white-dominated architectural field. He promoted black workforce through professional organizations, integrated black and white workers on his projects, won trade union membership for black craftsmen, and secured training and skilled jobs for blacks.

Erected by Indiana Historical Bureau. (Marker Number 27.2014.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 33.469′ N, 85° 40.074′ W.

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Marker was in Marion, Indiana, in Grant County. It was on West 4th Street (Indiana Route 18) near South Garfield Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 722 W 4th St, Marion IN 46953, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Central Indiana.

It was also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: The Wilson-Vaughn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Paws For Thought Garfield (approx. 0.2 miles away); Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity (approx. 0.4 miles away); Martin Boots (approx. 0.4 miles away); New Purchase Boundary (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grant County Medical Society (approx. half a mile away); In Memory of David Branson (approx. half a mile away); Grant County Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile

Samuel Plato Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 28, 2023

2. Samuel Plato Marker, Side Two

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Also see . . . Samuel Plato Marker. (Submitted on January 31, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Samuel Plato Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 28, 2023

3. Samuel Plato Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, January 28, 2023

4. Samuel Plato Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on February 1, 2025, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 31, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.