Watson-McCord in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Marshall "Major" Taylor
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
1. Marshall "Major" Taylor Marker (side 1)
Born in Indianapolis, 1878, Taylor moved to Massachusetts, 1895, to pursue cycling career. In 1896, he set one-mile record at Capital City Track located here. He won his first professional race December 1896 and quickly established himself as a world-class cyclist. During his career, he set world records in distances from one-quarter mile through two miles.
In 1899, Taylor won world one-mile professional cycling championship. He won U.S. circuit championships in 1899 and 1900 despite discrimination he confronted as cycling's first African-American champion. In early 1900s, he won races and acclaim in Europe and Australia. After retiring in 1910, he wrote his autobiography to inspire others. He died in 1932.
Erected 2009 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Central Indiana Bicycling Association Foundation, and Indiana State Fair Commission. (Marker Number 49.2009.3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1896.
Location. 39° 49.505′ N, 86° 8.383′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County.
this page online
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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Indiana State Fairgrounds Mile (approx. half a mile away); Newby Oval (approx. 0.9 miles away); North Meridian Street Historic District (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oliver Johnson House (approx. one mile away); Meridian Park Historic District (approx. one mile away); Booth Tarkington (approx. 1.1 miles away); Janet Flanner (approx. 1.1 miles away); Home of Charles Warren Fairbanks (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.
Additional commentary.
1. Marker Damaged
From a June 6, 2017 Facebook post from the Indiana Historical Bureau:
"Over the weekend, a Monon Trail cyclist reported to us that this historical marker on the trail near the State Fairgrounds was down. We recovered it and the damage is a lot worse than what is evident in this photo. Consequently, this marker will have to be recycled and a new one manufactured."
— Submitted June 19, 2017, by Duane Hall of Abilene, 
Texas.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
2. Marshall "Major" Taylor Marker (side 2)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
3. Marshall "Major" Taylor Marker (side 1)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 8, 2015
4. Marshall "Major" Taylor Marker (side 2)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 959 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
