St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
American Legion Mall
Indiana War Memorial Plaza National Historic Landmark
American Legion Mall comprises two city blocks and is the largest of the five-city block plaza. The actual mall is located at the north end of this part of the plaza. The plaza's overall design is reflective of The National Mall in Washington, D.C. and the City Beautiful Movement, a popular design trend in the 1920's.
The American Legion, itself was the catalyst for the Indiana War Memorial Plaza. The history of this plaza is inextricably connected to the history of the American Legion. The search for the national headquarters location led to the creation of this plaza as one of the greatest national tributes to our veterans.
The same tools that General John Pershing used in laying the original Indiana War Memorial cornerstone in 1927 were used in a like ceremony on May 6, 1949 for the enlarged American Legion Headquarters. A time capsule was placed inside and contains the following: a current edition of the Indianapolis Star, other city newspapers, facsimiles of several historic documents and a history of the War Memorial, itself.
Throughout the 1990's three monuments were added to the mall to honor Indiana
this page online
★ North of the Korean War Memorial is the most recent addition to American Legion Mall, the World War II Memorial which was dedicated in 1999. This memorial is patterned after the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials, but is larger in stature to distinguished the significance of World War II.
★ During WWII, one-half million Americans were killed, and another half-million were wounded. Unique to this memorial is the entablature listing the order of campaigns and operation. The World War II Memorial includes a computer database of the all Hoosiers who gave their lives.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1949.
Location. 39° 46.537′ N, 86° 9.371′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in the St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood. It is at the intersection of North Pennsylvania Street and East North Street, on the right when traveling south
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 walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Glencoe Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); May Wright Sewall (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named American Legion Mall (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial Plaza (about 400 feet away); The Wilson (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on August 11, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
