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

Griffith Block

1872

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 6, 2015

1. Griffith Block Marker

Inscription. Built in 1872 for the heirs of Humphrey Griffith – the city’s first watch and clock maker – the Griffith Block stood for 128 years at 36-38 West Washington Street, the northwest corner of West Washington and Bird Streets. This commercial building with its ornate, limestone, Italianate-style façade contributed to the importance of Washington Street as the city’s Main Street. Numerous retail businesses occupied the first and second floors, while the upper floors contained meeting and ballrooms. The block was demolished in 1990, but its façade was dismantled, restored, moved across the street, and integrated into Circle Centre.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 39° 46.017′ N, 86° 9.557′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in the Wholesale District. It is at the intersection of West Washington Street and North Illinois Street on West Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 69 W Washington Street, 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: Bowen-Merrill Fire / Indianapolis Fire Department (within shouting distance of this marker); Lynching of John Tucker (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana's Main Street

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(within shouting distance of this marker); L. S. Ayres & Company Department Store Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Washington Street (about 400 feet away); Eli Lilly and Company (about 400 feet away); Here in 1867 (about 400 feet away); The First Methodist Church in Indianapolis Was Built on this Site (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 6, 2015

2. Griffith Block Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.