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AHistory
History · Indianapolis

Indianapolis has 261 places on the National Register, 8 of them National Historic Landmarks

More historic than 89% of U.S. towns · #157 of 593 in Indiana State. What drives it

Dated to 1821 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history), with 16% of its homes built before 1940 and 59 historic districts holding 12,517 contributing buildings. Below: 37 old photos and papers, maps from 1948 on, the census since 1840, and every listing on the Register.

1821founded
261on the National Register
16%homes built before 1940
37old photos & papers
28famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Indianapolis’ archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Indianapolis began

When was Indianapolis founded?

1821

Indianapolis dates its founding to 1821 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history agree). The census first counted it in 1840.

First census: 2,695 in 18402020 census: 897,041205 years

How historic is Indianapolis?

A

More historic than 89% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikidata; Wikipedia’s history section gives the same year. First post office: 1822.The full story ↓
History grade

What drives Indianapolis’ History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Indianapolis is more historic than 89% of U.S. towns, #157 of 593 in Indiana State. All 3 inputs are above most U.S. towns; its National Register listings ranks highest and its share of homes from before 1940 lowest.

A
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Indianapolis’ overall grade.
Founding era1821, from Wikidata: founded 1776–1849, an older era than 75% of U.S. townsA−Homes built before 194015.8% of homes (±0.4) · typical IN town 14.4% · U.S. 8.4%BNational Register261 listings, 12,517 historic buildings, 140 per 10,000 residents · typical IN town 7.9 · U.S. 2.4A
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 89%
NewerOlder
Indiana State towns of 2,500+ (593)Ahead of 74%

Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Indianapolis ranks #73 on History.

Indiana State towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical Indiana State town has 7.9 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Indianapolis’ 140 sits above most of its state (84% of Indiana State towns have fewer) while its 12,517 historic buildings outnumber those of 100% of U.S. towns.

How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from B+ to A. The pre-1940 share (±0.4 points) is firm at this size. Two sources give 1821.

Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Indianapolis’ past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

Landmarks on the Register261 places on the National Register.A town in postcards37 old photos, postcards and papers, 1854–1909.Famous sons and daughtersKurt Vonnegut, Dan Quayle and 26 more were born here.Deep rootsEstablished in 1821: 205 years of Indianapolis.
★ What stands out · On the National Register

261 listings protect 12,517 historic buildings

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving. 8 are National Historic Landmarks, the highest tier.

places listed
261
National Historic Landmarks
8
none yet
historic buildings protected
12,517
each building in a district counts
first listed
2018
Our Savior Lutheran Church
All 1 listings
Our Savior Lutheran ChurchBuilding · listed 2018

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

By decade

Indianapolis, decade by decade

5 decades in the archive, from the 1850s to the 1900s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1850s–1890s12 items
Aerial view of Indianapolis, 18541854Aerial view of Indianapolis, 1854PostcardAerial view of Indianapolis, 18541854Aerial view of Indianapolis, 1854PostcardThe Capitol of Indiana1860The Capitol of IndianaIndiana State Capitol drawing by Adolf Sherrer, 18801880Indiana State Capitol drawing by Adolf Sherrer, 1880PostcardDetroit Photographic Company (0340) - Indiana Statehouse1897–1924Detroit Photographic Company (0340) - Indiana Stateho…PostcardEntrance to Drive in Woodruff Place, Indianapolis, Ind1898Entrance to Drive in Woodruff Place, Indianapolis, IndPostcardNo. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, Ind1898No. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, IndPostcardPresident Harrison's House, Indianapolis, Ind1898President Harrison's House, Indianapolis, IndPostcardPublic Library, Indianapolis, Ind1898Public Library, Indianapolis, IndPostcardShelter House, Riverside Park, Indianapolis, Ind1898Shelter House, Riverside Park, Indianapolis, IndPostcardState House, Indianapolis, Ind1898State House, Indianapolis, IndPostcardU. S. Court Houses and Post Office, Indianapolis, Ind1898U. S. Court Houses and Post Office, Indianapolis, IndPostcard
1900s25 items
Indiana National Bank1904Indiana National BankMarion County Court House1907Marion County Court HousePostcardA Group of Young Fellows Working in a Cannery, In Indianapolis, Aug., 1908. LOC nclc.007411908A Group of Young Fellows Working in a Cannery, In Ind…A Little 'Shaver,' Indianapolis Newsboy, 41 inches high. Said he was 6 years old. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC …1908A Little 'Shaver,' Indianapolis Newsboy, 41 inches hi…A. D. T. Messengers, Indianapolis. (There is no law regulating messenger service in Indiana). LOC nclc.032151908A. D. T. Messengers, Indianapolis. (There is no law r…Indianapolis Newsboys buying brass checks in a newspaper office. These checks cost at the rate of one-half the selling …1908Indianapolis Newsboys buying brass checks in a newspa…DocumentIndianapolis Turner Hall1908Indianapolis Turner HallPostcardJack, A Bright Indianapolis Boy of 13- Was a Messenger at the age of 11. Indiana has no age limit for mes'grs. Aug., 19…1908Jack, A Bright Indianapolis Boy of 13- Was a Messenge…Messenger Boys, Indianapolis Western Union. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC cph.3c056581908Messenger Boys, Indianapolis Western Union. Aug., 190…Night Scene, in an Indianapolis Glass Works. LOC cph.3c056541908Night Scene, in an Indianapolis Glass Works. LOC cph.…Night Shift A. D. T. Messengers, Indianapolis. 10-00 P.M. LOC cph.3c056651908Night Shift A. D. T. Messengers, Indianapolis. 10-00 …Noon Hour In an Indianapolis Cannery. Aug., 1908. LOC nclc.007431908Noon Hour In an Indianapolis Cannery. Aug., 1908. LOC…Noon Hour Meal at an Indianapolis Packing House, Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC nclc.044591908Noon Hour Meal at an Indianapolis Packing House, Aug.…Noon Hour at an Indianapolis Meat Packing House. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC nclc.044641908Noon Hour at an Indianapolis Meat Packing House. Aug.…Noon Hour in a Furniture Factory, Indianapolis, Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC cph.3b006201908Noon Hour in a Furniture Factory, Indianapolis, Aug.,…Noon Hour, Indianapolis Meat packing House, Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC nclc.044601908Noon Hour, Indianapolis Meat packing House, Aug., 190…Noon hour at An Indianapolis Cannery. Aug., 1908. LOC nclc.007441908Noon hour at An Indianapolis Cannery. Aug., 1908. LOC…Operatives in Indianapolis Cotton Mill. Noon Hour. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC cph.3b156501908Operatives in Indianapolis Cotton Mill. Noon Hour. Au…Putting Bottles into the Annealing Oven. An Indianapolis Glass Works, 1 A.M. LOC nclc.011581908Putting Bottles into the Annealing Oven. An Indianapo…Some operatives in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill at the Noon Hour. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC nclc.013091908Some operatives in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill at the…Water Boy in an Indianapolis Furniture Factory. Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC nclc.013201908Water Boy in an Indianapolis Furniture Factory. Aug.,…Young People in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill, Noon, Aug., 1908. Wit., E. N. Clopper. LOC nclc.013281908Young People in An Indianapolis Cotton Mill, Noon, Au…Postal Telegraph Messenger1908Postal Telegraph MessengerNewsboy. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana1908Newsboy. Location: Indianapolis, IndianaHotel English 19091909Hotel English 1909Postcard
1910s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
Famous people

28 famous people were born in Indianapolis

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
Kurt VonnegutAmerican author · b. 1922
Dan QuayleVice president of the United States from 1989 t… · b. 1947
Brendan FraserCanadian-American actor · b. 1968
David LettermanAmerican comedian and television host · b. 1947
P
Philip W. AndersonAmerican physicist · b. 1923
John GreenAmerican author and vlogger · b. 1977
The story

How Indianapolis came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Indianapolis.

Read it all →

In 1816, the year Indiana gained statehood, U.S. Congress designated four sections of land in central Indiana as the future seat of state government, contingent on tribal removal. Under the Treaty of St. Mary's (1818), the Delaware and Miami nations relinquished title to these designated lands, with agreement to vacate by 1821. This tract of land, which was called the New Purchase, included the site selected for the new state capital in 1820. The indigenous people of the land prior to systematic removal are the Miami Nation of Indiana (Miami Nation of Oklahoma) and Indianapolis makes up part of Cession 99; the primary treaty between the indigenous population and the United States was the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818.

Chapters19th century20th century21st century

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

From the old history books

What they wrote about Indianapolis, 1884–1908

Passages that mention Indianapolis, cut from the printed page as they were published.

Richardson : "Whereas there have been certain differences between Joel F. Richardson and the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad Company, growing out of what is known as the 'elevator contract,' also the Indianapolis & Vincennes Railroad, as to which suits are now pending, and whereas sai…
Commemorative biographical record of prominent1908 · page 235Read the page →
Read the text

Richardson : "Whereas there have been certain differences between Joel F. Richardson and the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad Company, growing out of what is known as the 'elevator contract,' also the Indianapolis & Vincennes Railroad, as to which suits are now pending, and whereas said parties have set-

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Air. Culley took an interest in municipal affairs from the time of his settlement in the town of Indianapolis, which was incorporated as a city in 1838. In 1841, upon the resignation of William Sullivan, he was honored with election as President of the Council, although he had lived in the city but…
Commemorative biographical record of prominent1908 · page 57Read the page →
Read the text

Air. Culley took an interest in municipal affairs from the time of his settlement in the town of Indianapolis, which was incorporated as a city in 1838. In 1841, upon the resignation of William Sullivan, he was honored with election as President of the Council, although he had lived in the city but five years. Such early and decided recognition of his abilities

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
ing their anticipation realized, and the college moved to and located within the town. A more extended accouut of this institution is given in the history of the city of Indianapolis. The first merchant in Irvington was William Furrey. After him were the following : William H.
History of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana1884 · page 620Read the page →
Read the text

ing their anticipation realized, and the college moved to and located within the town. A more extended accouut of this institution is given in the history of the city of Indianapolis. The first merchant in Irvington was William Furrey. After him were the following : William H.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.

Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Timeline

Indianapolis, 1821 to 1968

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 19th century
  2. 1821
    FoundingIndianapolis is established
  3. 1854In the archiveAerial view of Indianapolis, 1854
  4. 1860In the archiveThe Capitol of Indiana
  5. 1880In the archiveIndiana State Capitol drawing by Adolf Sherrer, 1880
  6. 1897In the archiveDetroit Photographic Company (0340) - Indiana Statehouse
  7. 20th century
  8. 1904In the archiveIndiana National Bank
  9. 1922Born hereKurt Vonnegut is born here
  10. 1947Born hereDan Quayle is born here
  11. 1947Born hereDavid Letterman is born here
  12. 1948On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  13. 1968Born hereBrendan Fraser is born here
On the map

Indianapolis on the map, 1948 to 1998

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Indianapolis. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Indianapolis on the 1948 USGS mapIndianapolis on the 1959 USGS mapIndianapolis on the 1967 USGS mapIndianapolis on the 1980 USGS mapIndianapolis on the 1998 USGS map1948Indianapolis West sheet · 1:24,000

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Indianapolis.

Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

Aerial view of Indianapolis, 1854
Retake this viewAerial view of Indianapolis, 1854, 1854

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Indianapolis’ page.

Retake this view · +15
People over time

Indianapolis, census by census

050,000100,000150,000200,000250,000300,000350,000400,000450,000500,000550,000600,000650,000700,000750,000800,000850,000900,000950,0001850190019502000887,642

Grew from 2,695 people in 1840 to 887,642 in 2020, more than tenfold.

19 censuses, 1840–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Indianapolis’ Wikipedia page.

Help out

Finish Indianapolis’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
1 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Retake an old viewAerial view of Indianapolis, 1854: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Lawrence5 historic placesB+Pike Township5 historic placesB−Zionsville5 historic placesC+Lawrence Township8 historic placesB+Brown TownshipIts storyC−Franklin Township2 historic placesB−Perry Township7 historic placesB+Decatur Township1 historic placeCVernon Township3 historic placesBMcCordsvilleIts storyC−

Questions about Indianapolis’ history

What year was Indianapolis founded?

In 1821, according to Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history of the town. Indianapolis’ post office opened in 1822, and the census of 1840 counted 2,695 people here.

How does Indianapolis rank for history?

Indianapolis is more historic than 89% of U.S. towns, #157 of 593 in Indiana State. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

What is on the National Register in Indianapolis?

261 listings, 8 of them National Historic Landmarks: 1 building, among them the Our Savior Lutheran Church (listed 2018, the first). 12,517 historic buildings in all.

How old are the homes in Indianapolis?

16% of Indianapolis’ homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate), against a typical 14% for an Indiana State town; the median home was built in 1972.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (33), the Library of Congress (4), Wikidata (5), the National Register of Historic Places (1), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.