Wholesale District in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Booth Tarkington
Born the son of an Indianapolis judge on July 29, 1869, novelist and playwright Booth Tarkington achieved a vast following by portraying Midwestern life from the perspective of the emerging American middle class.
Although he attended Purdue and Princeton universities, the Indianapolis native was an undisciplined student and never received his degree. Returning to Indianapolis during the Golden Age of Indiana literature, music, fine art and political influence, "Tark" gained certain notoriety for frequenting the popular, if notorious bar at Indianapolis' Denison Hotel with other Hoosier luminaries, such as poet James Whitcomb Riley and socialist labor leader Eugene Debs.
Early rejection of his work gave way to a popularity that Tarkington parlayed into a seat in the Indiana Legislature in 1902. His greatest literary successes. The Magnificent Ambersons and Alice Adams, which won the 1918 and 1921 Pulitzer Prizes respectively, dealt with the immense social changes that urbanization and industrialization brought to the Midwest — issues that resonate to this day. He died May 19, 1946.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1946.
Location. 39° 45.855′ N, 86° 9.589′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hotel Severin (here, next to this marker); Tom Jernstedt (here, next to this marker); J.L. "Wes" Montgomery (a few steps from this marker); The Rost Jewelry Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Deschler Building (within shouting distance of this marker); May Wright Sewall (within shouting distance of this marker); D.P. Erwin & Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Elmo Steak House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on December 2, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
