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

Passo Drugs

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

1. Passo Drugs Marker, Side One

Inscription. Ladino-speaking Sephardic Jews from the Ottoman Empire, including Hyman and Rachel Passo, settled on Indianapolis's southside in the early 1900s. Over several decades. Sephardic families built a vibrant community, became citizens, and established lasting relationships with their Black and fellow immigrant neighbors. The Passo family purchased a pharmacy here by 1938.

After serving in WWII, pharmacists Charlie and Issie Passo joined their brother. Albert, in operating Passo Drugs. While most businesses enforced segregation, the Passos opened the pharmacy's soda fountain counter to all, and the store served as a meeting place for Black and Jewish neighbors. Passo Drugs closed in 1976, and Shapiro's Delicatessen expanded into its space.

Erected 2025 by Indiana Historical Bureau • William G. Pomeroy Foundation • The Al Katz Center for Holocaust Survivors & Jewish Learning Inc. • The Passo, Goldberg, Katz. and Newman families.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included

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in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 39° 45.379′ N, 86° 9.56′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Old Southside. It is at the intersection of South Meridian Street and West McCarty Street, on the right when traveling south on South Meridian Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 808 S Meridian St, Indianapolis IN 46225, 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 the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Muir in Indianapolis (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Slippery Noodle Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Syrian Quarter (approx. 0.4 miles away); Peyton Manning (approx. 0.4 miles

Passo Drugs Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

2. Passo Drugs Marker, Side Two

away); South Side Turnverein (approx. 0.4 miles away); D.P. Erwin & Company Building (approx. half a mile away); Holy Rosary - Danish Church Historic District (approx. half a mile away); Hotel Severin (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Regarding Passo Drugs. Passo’s Drug Store was badly damaged in a natural gas explosion in 1976 and the Passo family opted to close the business rather than rebuild. Shapiro's then bought and razed the Passo building, and built an addition on the lot.

Passo Drugs Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

3. Passo Drugs Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.