Bloomington in Monroe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2026

1. Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps Marker

Inscription.
The Memorial Pillar was built in 1922 for the pageant that marked the launching of the Memorial Fund drive in tribute to members of the Indiana University family who served in the First World War and earlier wars. The Memorial Fund drive resulted in the construction of Memorial Hall, the Indiana Memorial Union, and the original Memorial Stadium at Tenth Street. The steps leading to the pillar were built in 1920 for the Centennial Pageant commemorating the founding of Indiana University. The pillar and steps were for many years the site of the crowning of the May Queen and other public celebrations and private moments of student life.

The restoration of the Pillar and Steps is the gift of
H. Wallace Evans, '30 and Anne Richman Evans, '32
who exchanged their first vows of love and friendship here in 1930.
Restored in 1987

Erected 1987 by Indiana University, H. Wallace Evans, Anne Richman Evans.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 39° 10.063′ N, 86° 31.544′ W. Memorial is

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in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County. It can be reached from East Kirkwood Avenue west of South Woodlawn Avenue, on the right when traveling west. This marker stands in Dunn Meadow just north of the Frances Morgan Swain Student Building on the campus of Indiana University. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 701 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington IN 47405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Southern 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: The River Jordan (within shouting distance of this marker); T.C. Steele Campus Studio (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hoagy Carmichael (about 700 feet away); Black Market Firebombing (about 700 feet away); Site of "Mollie Spaulding House" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ernie Pyle

Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, June 19, 2026

2. Memorial Pillar and Centennial Steps Marker in context

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Father James Martin Gilles (approx. 0.2 miles away); Integrating Basketball (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Last updated on July 14, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.