Lafayette in Tippecanoe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
George Souders and Roscoe Sarles
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, February 15, 2025
1. George Souders And Roscoe Sarles Marker
Driving a Duesenberg, George Souders handily won the 1927 Indy 500 as a rookie. Souders finished third at the 500 in 1928 but retired soon after following a crash in a Detroit race. He is among a handful of Americans to compete in the Italian Grand Prix. Souders graduated from Jefferson High School in 1918 and served as his class president. He made his racing debut on a horse track mere yards from this site. Souders called Lafayette home until his death in 1976.
Roscoe Sarles came in second at the 1921 Indy 500. As with George Saouders, he also attended Jefferson High and completed at the race track here. A friend to many early movie stars, Sarles planned to begin a new career as a stunt driver and claimed a 1922 Kansas City race would be his last. Sadly, he was right: His car crashed through a wooden barrier, and Sarles was trapped in the burning wreckage. He is buried among his film star friends in Hollywood.
Erected 2017 by Indiana Racing Memorial Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 40° 23.745′ N, 86° 52.837′ W. Marker is in Lafayette, Indiana, in Tippecanoe County
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Regionally, this marker is 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Highland Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Highland Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Highland Park Neighborhood (approx. one mile away); Ninth Street Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Ellsworth Historic District (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tippecanoe County War Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Purple Heart Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Iraq War Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lafayette.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Camp Tippecanoe (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, February 15, 2025
2. George Souders And Roscoe Sarles Marker
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, February 15, 2025
3. George Souders And Roscoe Sarles Marker
Teal Road entrance to the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in background
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2025, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2025, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
