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

Civil War Training Camp

First State Fairgrounds to Camp Sullivan

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 16, 2016

1. First State Fairgrounds to Camp Sullivan Marker

Inscription. Military Park began its existence in the 1820s as a “Military Reservation” where the state militia occasionally trained. In 1852 the first Indiana State Fair was held on the grounds, and other state fairs occurred there over the next eight years. In 1861 the fairgrounds became a military camp, as the 13th Indiana Regiment of Col. Jeremiah Sullivan of Madison and others trained there. As Camp Sullivan, the grounds continued to be used as a military camp for the rest of the war.

Erected by Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 39° 46.183′ N, 86° 10.202′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of North Blackford Street and Wabash Street, on the right when traveling north on North Blackford Street. Marker is located at the southwest corner of Military Park, just north of the Central Canal. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Indianapolis IN 46202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Romanian Orthodox Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin County (within shouting distance of this marker); Adams County (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Parke County (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntington County (within shouting distance of this marker); Greene County (within shouting distance of this marker); Shelby County (within shouting distance of this marker); Vigo County (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Also see . . . Military Park. Excerpt:

The grounds of Military Park, originally called Military Ground, have seen various uses since the founding of Indianapolis in 1820. The first documented celebration of Independence Day in the city occurred at Military Ground on July 4, 1822. The United States Congress officially gave the land to the state of Indiana in 1827 for use in training the local militias. Prior to 1860, its greatest use for militia training was for the Black Hawk War in 1836.

(Submitted on January 6, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Civil War Training Camp Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 16, 2016

2. Civil War Training Camp Marker

looking northeast into Military Park

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.