Wholesale District in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Eli Lilly and Company

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 25, 2026

1. Eli Lilly and Company Marker

Front side

Inscription.
Colonel Eli Lilly, a Trained Chemist and Civil War veteran, founded the company on May 10, 1876, near here on Pearl St. to create effective, high-quality medicines--revolutionary in an era of untested remedies. His son and grandsons ran the firm until 1953, transforming it into a global company delivering innovative medicines to improve patients' lives.

The company's first breakthrough came in 1923 with the mass production of the world's first commercial insulin. Lilly manufactured critical products such as penicillin and the polio vaccine and developed vital medicines such as Oncovin, Keflex, Humulin, Prozac and Mounjaro. While expanding across the globe, Lilly has remained deeply rooted in the Indianapolis community.

Erected 2026 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Eli Lilly and Company.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1876.

Location. 39° 45.979′ N, 86° 9.495′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana,

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in Marion County. It is in the Wholesale District. It is at the intersection of South Meridian Street and East Pearl Street, on the right when traveling south on South Meridian Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30 South Meridian St, Indianapolis IN 46204, 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: Here in 1867 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Eli Lilly and Company (a few steps from this marker); Indiana's Main Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Merchants National Bank Building (about 300 feet away); The First Methodist Church in Indianapolis Was Built on this Site (about 300 feet away); West Washington Street (about 300 feet

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 24, 2026

2. Eli Lilly and Company Marker

Back side

away); L. S. Ayres & Company Department Store Building (about 300 feet away); Bowen-Merrill Fire / Indianapolis Fire Department (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 24, 2026

3. Eli Lilly and Company Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.