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82-502: Lewis was born in Indianapolis , Indiana and was raised in an orphanage . He learned to play the piano by age six, despite very poor eyesight. Adopted at age twelve, he moved to a foster home in Detroit , Michigan , but ran away at the age of 14. Growing up with the influences of the pioneer blues musicians until the advent of rock and roll , Lewis began to build a musical career in

164-532: A National Historic Landmark , encompasses several examples of neoclassical architecture , including the American Legion , Central Library , and Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse . The district is also home to several sculptures and memorials, Depew Memorial Fountain , and open space, hosting many annual civic events. After completion of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument , an ordinance

246-672: A U.S. district court was established at Indianapolis in 1825. Growth occurred with the opening of the National Road through the town in 1827, the first major federally funded highway in the United States. A small segment of the ultimately failed Indiana Central Canal was opened in 1839. The first railroad to serve Indianapolis, the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad , began operation in 1847, and subsequent railroad connections fostered growth. Indianapolis Union Station

328-490: A planned city for the new seat of Indiana's state government. The city was platted by Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham on a 1-square-mile (2.6 km ) grid. Completion of the National and Michigan roads and later arrival of rail solidified the city's position as a major manufacturing and commercial center. Since the 1970 city-county consolidation , known as Unigov , local government administration operates under

410-676: A till plain . Elevations across Indianapolis vary from about 650 feet (198 m) to 900 feet (274 m) above mean sea level . Indianapolis is located in the West Fork White River drainage basin , part of the larger Mississippi River watershed via the Wabash and Ohio rivers. The White River flows 31 miles (50 km) north-to-south through the city and is fed by some 35 streams, including Eagle Creek, Fall Creek , Pleasant Run, and Pogue's Run . The city's largest waterbodies are artificial quarry lakes and reservoirs . Indianapolis

492-485: A 2011 interview, Lewis said that he had lived in Newark, New Jersey since about 1980, and had become almost blind, but still performed occasionally. Lewis died on April 28, 2020, aged 95, after contracting pneumonia. Indianapolis Indianapolis ( / ˌ ɪ n d i ə ˈ n æ p ə l ɪ s / IN -dee-ə- NAP -ə-lis ), colloquially known as Indy , is the capital and most populous city of

574-421: A Center for Community Progress report, neighborhoods like Cottage Home and Fall Creek Place have experienced measurable gentrification since 2000. The North Meridian Street Historic District is among the most affluent urban neighborhoods in the U.S., with a mean household income of $ 102,599 in 2017. The city of Indianapolis maintains 212 public parks, totaling 11,258 acres (4,556 ha) or about 5.1% of

656-607: A blacksmith for the Lenape after their removal to the west, and the Lenape were allowed to occupy their ceded territory for up to three years after the signing of the treaty. Signatories included, among others, Kikthawenund of the Unalatchgo Lenape clan and federal commissioner Jonathan Jennings . William Conner served as an interpreter. The treaty with the Miami was signed on October 6, 1818, at St. Mary's, Ohio, between representatives of

738-420: A block from Monument Circle. The city's address numbering system originates at the intersection of Washington (running east–west) and Meridian streets (running north–south). Beginning construction in 1836, the 8-mile (13 km)-long Indiana Central Canal is the oldest extant artificial facility in the city. Between 1985 and 2001, nearly 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the former canal in downtown Indianapolis

820-454: A center of automobile manufacturing. The city was an early focus of labor organization . The Indianapolis streetcar strike of 1913 and subsequent police mutiny and riots led to the creation of the state's earliest labor-protection laws, including a minimum wage , regular work weeks, and improved working conditions. The International Typographical Union and United Mine Workers of America were among several influential labor unions based in

902-526: A large proportion of the early Irish and German immigrants were Catholics . Few African Americans lived in central Indiana before 1840. The first European Americans to permanently settle in the area that became Indianapolis were either the McCormick or Pogue families. The McCormicks are generally considered to be the first permanent settlers; however, some historians believe George Pogue and family may have arrived first, on March 2, 1819, and settled in

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984-675: A large trapezoid "bite" out of the northern boundary that became the Great Miami Reserve, and a sawtooth in the northwest where the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers formed a gore. The treaties defined the northern and western boundary as the Wabash, Tippecanoe, and Vermillion rivers; the southwestern and southeastern boundaries were the treaty lines from the Treaty of Fort Wayne of 1809; the far southeastern and northeastern boundaries were treaty lines from

1066-613: A log cabin along the creek that was later called Pogue's Run . Other historians have argued as early as 1822 that John Wesley McCormick and his family and employees became the area's first European American settlers, settling near the White River in February 1820. On January 11, 1820, the Indiana General Assembly authorized a committee to select a site in central Indiana for the new state capital. The state legislature approved

1148-399: A perpetual annuity of fifteen thousand dollars. Moreover, the United States agreed to construct one gristmill and one sawmill , as well as provide one blacksmith , one gunsmith , and agricultural implements. The Miami would also be provided one hundred and sixty bushels of salt annually. The New Purchase was a jagged shaped area comprising most of the central third of the state. It had

1230-458: A political upset. The Ballard administration oversaw the lease of the city's parking meters and the sale of the city's water and wastewater utilities with proceeds financing street repairs. Ballard pursued several environmental sustainability efforts, including establishing an office of sustainability, installing 200 miles (320 km) of bike lanes and trails, and spearheading a controversial deal to start an electric carsharing program. Two of

1312-512: A population of more than 2.6 million, the combined statistical area ranks 27th . Indianapolis proper covers 368 square miles (950 km ), making it the 19th-most extensive city by land area in the country. Indigenous peoples inhabited the area dating to as early as 10,000 BC. In 1818, the Lenape relinquished their tribal lands in the Treaty of St. Mary's . In 1821, Indianapolis was established as

1394-668: A result of the city's expansive land area, Indianapolis has a unique urban-to-rural transect , ranging from dense urban neighborhoods to suburban tract housing subdivisions, to rural villages. Typical of American cities in the Midwest, Indianapolis urbanized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, resulting in the development of relatively dense, well-defined neighborhoods clustered around streetcar corridors, especially in Center Township . Notable streetcar suburbs include Broad Ripple , Irvington , and University Heights . Starting in

1476-581: A stop at Indianapolis, where an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 people passed the assassinated president's bier at the Indiana Statehouse . Following the Civil War and in the wake of the Second Industrial Revolution , Indianapolis experienced tremendous growth and prosperity. In 1880, Indianapolis was the world's third-largest pork packing city, after Chicago and Cincinnati , and

1558-606: A substantial portion of the land area (dubbed the New Purchase ) of the state of Indiana from the Miami , Delaware , Potawatomi , and others in exchange for cash, salt, sawmills, and other goods, effectively moving the northern boundary of the state from near the Ohio River to the Wabash River in the northwest and north. They also resulted in creation of Indian reservations and continued

1640-506: A system of parkways following the city's waterways. The system's 3,474 acres (1,406 ha) were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Marion County is also home to parks managed by the State of Indiana, including Fort Harrison State Park and White River State Park . Established in 1996, Fort Harrison State Park covers 1,744 acres (706 ha) that are overseen by

1722-467: A town of 1 square mile (2.6 km ), near the confluence of the White River and Fall Creek . Known as the Mile Square, the plan followed a grid pattern centered on a traffic circle called Monument Circle , from which Indianapolis's "Circle City" nickname originates. Four diagonal avenues— Indiana (northwest), Kentucky (southwest), Massachusetts (northeast), and Virginia (southwest)—radiated

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1804-430: Is 42.4 inches (108 cm). Snowfall averages 25.9 inches (66 cm) per season. Official temperature extremes range from 106 °F (41 °C), set on July 14, 1936 , to −27 °F (−33 °C), set on January 19, 1994 . The U.S. Census Bureau considers Indianapolis as two entities: the consolidated city and the city's remainder, or balance . The consolidated city is coterminous with Marion County , except

1886-488: Is a planned city . On January 11, 1820, the Indiana General Assembly authorized a committee to select a site in central Indiana for the new state capital, appointing Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham to survey and design a town plan for Indianapolis. Ralston had been a surveyor for the French architect Pierre L'Enfant , assisting him with the plan for Washington, D.C. Ralston's original plan for Indianapolis called for

1968-461: Is home to two major league sports teams, three Fortune 500 companies, eight university campuses, and numerous cultural institutions, including the world's largest children's museum . The city is perhaps best known for hosting the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500 . Among the city's historic sites and districts , Indianapolis is home to the largest collection of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties in

2050-593: Is land and 6.3 square miles (16 km ) is water. It is the 19th-most extensive city by land area in the U.S. As a consolidated city-county , Indianapolis's city limits are coterminous with Marion County , except the autonomous and semi-autonomous municipalities outlined in Unigov . Nine civil townships form the broadest geographic divisions within the city and county; these are Center , Decatur , Franklin , Lawrence , Perry , Pike , Warren , Washington , and Wayne townships. The consolidated city-county borders

2132-514: Is partially included. Treaty of St. Mary%27s The Treaty of St. Mary's may refer to one of six treaties concluded in fall of 1818 between the United States and Natives of central Indiana regarding purchase of Native land. The treaties were The main treaty was with the Miamis, who were the main tribe in Indiana. Unqualified references to the treaty usually refer to this one. The treaties acquired

2214-411: Is situated 98 miles (158 km) northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio , 107 miles (172 km) north of Louisville, Kentucky , 164 miles (264 km) southeast of Chicago, Illinois , and 168 miles (270 km) west of Columbus, Ohio . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the Indianapolis (balance) encompasses a total area of 367.9 square miles (953 km ), of which 361.6 square miles (937 km )

2296-712: Is unique in that it contains some 200 farms covering thousands of acres of agricultural land within its municipal boundaries. Equestrian farms and corn and soybean fields interspersed with suburban development are commonplace on the city's periphery, especially in Franklin Township . Noted as one of the finest examples of the City Beautiful movement design in the U.S., the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza Historic District began construction in 1921 in downtown Indianapolis. The district,

2378-578: The City-County Building was the first high-rise in the city to surpass the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in height. A building boom , lasting from 1982 to 1990, saw the construction of six of the city's ten tallest buildings. The tallest is Salesforce Tower , completed in 1990 at 811 ft (247 m). Indiana limestone is the signature building material in Indianapolis, widely included in

2460-688: The George Floyd protests in Indiana prompted a series of local police reforms and renewed efforts to bolster social services for mental health treatment and homelessness. In 2021, a mass shooting occurred at a FedEx facility on the city's southwest side, killing nine (including the gunman) and injuring seven others. Indianapolis is located in the East North Central region of the Midwestern United States , about 14 miles (23 km) south-southeast of Indiana's geographic center . It

2542-621: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources . Since 1979, White River has been owned and operated by the White River State Park Development Commission, a quasi-governmental agency. White River's 250 acres (100 ha) are home to several attractions, including the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens . Two land trusts are active in the city managing several sites for nature conservation throughout

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2624-485: The Mississippi Flyway , the city sees more than 400 migratory bird species throughout the year. Some 57 species of fish can be found in the city's waterways, including bass and sunfish . Some federally-designated endangered and threatened species are native to the Indianapolis area, including several species of freshwater mussels , the rusty patched bumble bee , Indiana bat , northern long-eared bat , and

2706-599: The Salamonie River called the Big Miami Reserve. The Reserve contained about 760,000 acres (3,100 km ) and was the largest Indian reservation ever to exist within the state of Indiana. It encompassed all of present-day Howard County , and portions of seven surrounding counties: Wabash , Miami , Cass , Clinton , Tipton , Madison , and Grant . At its creation, the area was wilderness, and there were no colonial settlements between Terre Haute and Fort Wayne on

2788-512: The Treaty of Grouseland of 1805, and parts of the eastern and western boundaries were the borders of the state. The southern tip of the area extended to what is today central Jackson County near Brownstown . By the treaty with the Miami, the Miami ceded most of their land south of the Wabash River, except for some individual plots and a parcel in north central Indiana between the Eel River and

2870-403: The U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County . Indianapolis is situated in the state's central till plain region along the west fork of the White River . The city's official slogan, " Crossroads of America ", reflects its historic importance as a transportation hub and its relative proximity to other major North American markets. At the 2020 census , the balance population

2952-549: The United States and the Miami tribe , as well as others living in their territory. Jonathan Jennings , Lewis Cass , and Benjamin Parke , acting as representatives of the United States, signed the treaty. William Conner served as an interpreter. The accord contained seven articles. Based on the terms of the accord, the Miami ceded territories south of the Wabash River covering a large portion of central Indiana, subsequently known as

3034-511: The decidious forests that once covered 98% of the region were cleared for agriculture and urban development , contributing to considerable habitat loss . Indianapolis's current urban tree canopy averages approximately 33%. A rare example of old-growth forest in the city can be found on 15 acres (6.1 ha) of Crown Hill Cemetery 's North Woods in the Butler–Tarkington neighborhood. The cemetery's 555 acres (225 ha) represents

3116-518: The running buffalo clover . In recent years, the National Wildlife Federation has ranked Indianapolis among the ten most wildlife-friendly cities in the U.S. Indianapolis has a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Köppen climate classification : Dfa ), but can be considered a borderline humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa ) using the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm. It experiences four distinct seasons. The city lies at

3198-458: The "New Purchase", to the United States. This tract consisted of the entire central portion of Indiana between the Wabash River and the old boundary established by the Treaty of Fort Wayne (1809 ). It also established the first Indian reservation in Indiana, the Great Miami Reserve in the northern portion of the New Purchase. In another tenet of the accord, the United States agreed to pay the Miami

3280-515: The 1950s, initially working in carnival shows, and then as a singer with the Leo Hines Orchestra in Indianapolis. He made his first recordings for the Spotlight label, and then recorded "Mumbles Blues" for Chess Records in 1952. At one stage he was managed by Nat Tarnopol , who also managed Jackie Wilson . Lewis moved to New York City, and his 1960 recording of " Tossin' and Turnin' " on

3362-480: The 1990s, including the openings of Circle Centre Mall , Victory Field , and Gainbridge Fieldhouse , as well as ongoing redevelopment of the Indiana Central Canal and White River State Park areas. Bart Peterson took office in 2000, the first Democrat elected to the post since John J. Barton 's 1963 election . The Peterson administration focused on education reform and promoting the arts. In 2001,

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3444-587: The Beltone label went to No.1 for seven weeks on the Billboard chart in summer 1961. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc . Later in 1961, Lewis had a second Top Ten song, "One Track Mind", his only other major hit record (again on Beltone), charting at No. 9. Subsequent records were less successful. Beltone Records itself went out of business in 1963, and later recordings for ABC-Paramount and other labels were also commercial failures. In

3526-524: The Delawares (Lenape) of October 3 established the cession of all Lenape land in Indiana to the United States. In return, the U.S. government was to provide a country for the displaced Lenape people west of the Mississippi River; full compensation for their improvements; perpetual annuity; grants of land to individuals; and the payment of certain claims. The U.S. government also agreed to provide and support

3608-518: The Indianapolis area include mammals such as the white-tailed deer , eastern chipmunk , eastern cottontail , and the eastern grey and American red squirrels . In recent years, local raccoon and groundhog populations have increased alongside sightings of American badgers , beavers , mink , coyotes , and red fox . Birds native to the area include the northern cardinal , wood thrush , eastern screech owl , mourning dove , pileated and red-bellied woodpeckers , and wild turkey . Located in

3690-635: The Klan. While campaigning in the city in 1968, Robert F. Kennedy delivered one of the most lauded speeches in 20th century American history, following the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. As in most U.S. cities during the Civil Rights Movement , the city experienced strained race relations. A 1971 federal court decision forcing Indianapolis Public Schools to implement desegregation busing proved controversial. During

3772-462: The U.S. government agreed to pay a sum total of $ 3,000 in silver annually to the Wea on a reservation the tribe had claimed earlier in the treaty. This reserved tract of land was described as "Beginning at the mouth of Raccoon creek; thence by the present boundary line, seven miles; thence, northeasterly, seven miles, to a point seven miles from the Wabash river; thence to the Wabash river, by a line parallel to

3854-567: The U.S. outside of Washington, D.C. The name Indianapolis is derived from pairing the state's name, Indiana (meaning "Land of the Indians", or simply "Indian Land" ), with the suffix -polis , the Greek word for "city". Jeremiah Sullivan , justice of the Indiana Supreme Court , is credited with coining the name. Other names considered were Concord, Suwarrow, and Tecumseh . In 1816,

3936-519: The Wabash River. The reservation was short-lived. By 1840, via several additional treaties, the state effectively acquired the reservation and removed the Indians to west of the Mississippi River . The treaties resulted in the confinement of the Miami to the reserve area and the removal of the Delaware, who dominated central and east central Indiana, to west of the Mississippi River by 1820, clearing

4018-743: The Wyandot of September 20, resulted in the cession by the Natives of two small tracts of land in Wayne County , Michigan Territory , containing the villages of Maguaga and Brownstown in present-day Riverview and Flat Rock, Michigan . In return, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass granted them land in Huron Charter Township, Michigan . The treaty with the Wea of October 2 resulted in the Wea ceding their claims to all lands in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. In return,

4100-452: The Wyandot, Seneca, Shawnese, and Ottawas of September 17, 1818, established that the grants described in the Treaty of Fort Meigs (formally titled, "Treaty with the Wyandots, etc., 1817") would be considered only as reservations for the use of indigenous peoples. The 1818 treaty also granted additional land reservations and annuity payments to the involved indigenous groups. The treaty with

4182-502: The adjacent counties of Boone to the northwest; Hamilton to the north; Hancock to the east; Shelby to the southeast; Johnson to the south; Morgan to the southwest; and Hendricks to the west. Between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago, the Indianapolis area was situated on the southern margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet . The erosive advance and retreat of glacial ice produced a flat or gently sloping landscape, known as

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4264-423: The city's first mayor, led the new city government, which included a seven-member city council. In 1853, voters approved a new city charter that provided for an elected mayor and a fourteen-member city council. The city charter continued to be revised as Indianapolis expanded. Effective January 1, 1825, the seat of state government moved to Indianapolis from Corydon, Indiana . In addition to state government offices,

4346-485: The city's land area by more than 300 square miles (780 km ) and increased its population by some 250,000 people. It was the first major city-county consolidation to occur in the U.S. without a referendum since the creation of the City of Greater New York in 1898. Lugar is credited with initiating downtown revitalization efforts, overseeing the building of Market Square Arena , renovations to Indianapolis City Market , and

4428-561: The city's land area. Eagle Creek Park , Indianapolis's largest and most visited park, ranks among the largest municipal parks in the U.S., covering 4,766 acres (1,929 ha). Garfield Park , the city's first municipal park, opened in 1876 as Southern Park. In the early 20th century, the city enlisted landscape architect George Kessler to conceive a framework for Indianapolis's modern parks system. Kessler's 1909 Indianapolis Park and Boulevard Plan linked notable parks, such as Brookside , Ellenberger , Garfield, and Riverside , with

4510-699: The city's largest capital projects, the Indianapolis International Airport 's new terminal and Lucas Oil Stadium , were completed in 2008. In 2012, construction began on a $ 2 billion tunnel system designed to reduce sewage overflows into the city's waterways. Since 2016, the administration of Joe Hogsett has focused on addressing a rise in gun violence and the city's racial disparities. In recent years, significant capital and operational investments have been made in public safety, criminal justice, and public transit. The city also established rental assistance and food security programs. In 2020,

4592-431: The city's many monuments, churches, academic, government, and civic buildings. For statistical purposes, the consolidated city-county is organized into 99 "neighborhood areas" with most containing numerous individual historic and cultural districts, subdivisions, and some semi-autonomous towns. In total, some 500 self-identified neighborhood associations are listed in the city's Registered Community Organization system. As

4674-659: The city's population more than doubled. An estimated 4,000 men from Indianapolis served in 39 regiments, and an estimated 700 died during the war. On May 20, 1863, Union soldiers attempted to disrupt a statewide Democratic convention at Indianapolis, forcing an adjournment of the proceedings, sarcastically referred to as the Battle of Pogue's Run . Fear turned to panic in July 1863, during Morgan's Raid into southern Indiana, but Confederate forces turned east toward Ohio , never reaching Indianapolis. On April 30, 1865, Lincoln's funeral train made

4756-817: The city. As a stop on the Underground Railroad , Indianapolis had one of the largest black populations in the Northern States , until the Great Migration . Led by D. C. Stephenson , the Indiana Klan became the most powerful political and social organization in Indianapolis from 1921 through 1928, controlling the City Council and the Board of School Commissioners, among others. At its height, more than 40% of native-born white males in Indianapolis claimed membership in

4838-453: The direction of an elected 25-member city-county council headed by the mayor . Indianapolis anchors the 29th largest metropolitan economy in the U.S. Prominent industries include trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; professional and business services; government; leisure and hospitality; and manufacturing. The city has notable niche markets in amateur sports and auto racing . Contemporary Indianapolis

4920-486: The first visit from a president-elect in the city's history. On April 16, 1861, the first orders were issued to form Indiana's first regiments and establish Indianapolis as a headquarters for the state's volunteer soldiers. Within a week, more than 12,000 recruits signed up to fight for the Union. Indianapolis became a major logistics hub during the war, establishing the city as a crucial military base. Between 1860 and 1870,

5002-529: The formation of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis . Amid the changes in government and growth, the city pursued an aggressive economic development strategy to raise the city's stature as a sports tourism destination, known as the Indianapolis Project. During the administration of the city's longest-serving mayor, William Hudnut (1976–1992), millions of dollars were invested into sports venues and public relations campaigns. The strategy

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5084-430: The independent municipalities of Beech Grove , Lawrence , Southport , and Speedway . The city's balance excludes the populations of ten semi-autonomous municipalities that are included in totals for the consolidated city. These are Clermont , Crows Nest , Homecroft , Meridian Hills , North Crows Nest , Rocky Ripple , Spring Hill , Warren Park , Williams Creek , and Wynnedale . An eleventh town, Cumberland ,

5166-456: The largest green space in Center Township , home to an abundance of wildlife and some 130 species of trees. Native trees most common to the area include varieties of ash , maple , and oak . Several invasive species are also common in Indianapolis, including tree of heaven , wintercreeper , Amur honeysuckle , and Callery pear . A 2016 bioblitz along three of the city's riparian corridors found 590 taxa . Urban wildlife common to

5248-576: The mayor's office became the first in the U.S. to authorize charter schools . Indianapolis Cultural Districts were designated in 2003, followed by the groundbreaking of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in 2007. Further consolidation of city and county units of government resulted in the establishment of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in 2007. Later that year, Greg Ballard succeeded Peterson in

5330-434: The mayoral administration of Richard Lugar (1968–1976), the city and county governments consolidated. Known as Unigov (a portmanteau of "unified" and "government"), the city-county consolidation removed bureaucratic redundancies, captured increasingly suburbanizing tax revenue, and created a Republican political machine that dominated local politics until the early 2000s. Effective January 1, 1970, Unigov expanded

5412-706: The mid-20th century, the post–World War II economic expansion and subsequent suburbanization greatly influenced the city's development patterns. From 1950 to 1970, nearly 100,000 housing units were built in Marion County, most outside Center Township in suburban neighborhoods such as Castleton , Eagledale , and Nora . Since the 2000s, downtown Indianapolis and surrounding neighborhoods have seen increased reinvestment mirroring nationwide market trends, driven by empty nesters and millennials . Renewed interest in urban living has been met with some dispute regarding gentrification and affordable housing . According to

5494-554: 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 (1818) . The availability of new federal lands for purchase in central Indiana attracted settlers, many of them descendants of families from northwestern Europe. Although many of these first European and American settlers were Protestants ,

5576-408: The present boundary line aforesaid; and thence, by the Wabash river, to the place of beginning." The treaty with the Potawatomi of October 2 established cessions of land to the United States. The U.S. government also agreed to pay perpetual annuity to the Potawatomi, as well as to purchase any claim to the ceded land made by the Kickapoo . William Conner served as an interpreter. The treaty with

5658-411: The process of Indian removals in Indiana begun by the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. In the fall of 1818 six separate treaties were completed at St. Marys, Ohio , between the United States and the Wyandot, Seneca, Shawnese, and Ottawas (September 17), with the Wyandot (September 20), the Potawatomi (October 2), the Wea (October 2), the Delaware (October 3), and the Miami (October 6). The treaty with

5740-439: The region. Indianapolis is situated in the Southern Great Lakes forests ecoregion which in turn is located within the larger temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome , as defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature . Based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 's alternative classification system , the city is located in the Eastern Corn Belt Plains , an area of the country known for its fertile soil. Much of

5822-461: The second-largest railroad center in the U.S. by 1888. By 1890, the city's population surpassed 100,000. Some of the city's most notable businesses were founded during this period of growth and innovation, including L. S. Ayres (1872), Eli Lilly and Company (1876), Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company (1910), and Allison Transmission (1915). Some of the city's most prominent architectural features and best-known historical events date from

5904-492: The site, adopting the name Indianapolis on January 6, 1821. In April, Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham were appointed to survey and design a town plan for the new settlement. Indianapolis became a seat of county government on December 31, 1821, when Marion County , was established. A combined county and town government continued until 1832 when Indianapolis was incorporated as a town. Indianapolis became an incorporated city effective March 30, 1847. Samuel Henderson ,

5986-474: The spring and summer, with slightly higher averages during May, June, and July. May is typically the wettest, with an average of 5.05 inches (12.8 cm) of rain. Most rain is derived from thunderstorm activity. There is no distinct dry season, although occasional droughts occur. Severe weather is not uncommon, particularly in the spring and summer months. Indianapolis experiences an average of 20 thunderstorm days annually. Indianapolis's average annual rainfall

6068-878: The transition between USDA plant hardiness zones 6a and 6b. Typically, summers are fairly hot, humid, and wet. Winters are generally cold with moderate snowfall. The July daily average temperature is 75.4 °F (24.1 °C). High temperatures reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 18 days each year, and occasionally exceed 95 °F (35 °C). Spring and autumn are usually pleasant, if at times unpredictable. Midday temperature drops exceeding 30 °F or 17 °C are common during March and April, and instances of very warm days (80 °F or 27 °C) followed within 36 hours by snowfall are not unusual during these months. Winters are cold, with an average January temperature of 28.1 °F (−2.2 °C). Temperatures dip to 0 °F (−18 °C) or below an average of 3.7 nights per year. The rainiest months occur in

6150-536: The turn of the 20th century. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument , dedicated on May 15, 1902, would later become the city's unofficial symbol. Ray Harroun won the inaugural running of the Indianapolis 500 , held May 30, 1911 , at Indianapolis Motor Speedway . Indianapolis was one of the hardest hit cities in the Great Flood of 1913 , resulting in five known deaths and the displacement of 7,000 families. Once home to 60 automakers, Indianapolis rivaled Detroit as

6232-476: The way for colonization by settlers migrating north and west from Cincinnati and other Ohio River settlements. The area was called the Delaware New Purchase until it was divided into Wabash County in the northwest and Delaware County in the southeast on January 2, 1820. Those counties were soon after dissolved, and the areas came to be called the "Wabash New Purchase" and "Delaware New Purchase" (renamed

6314-453: The year Indiana gained statehood, the U.S. Congress donated four sections of federal land to establish a permanent seat of state government. Two years later, under the Treaty of St. Mary's (1818), the Delaware relinquished title to their tribal lands in central Indiana, agreeing to leave the area by 1821. This tract of land, which was called the New Purchase , included the site selected for

6396-448: Was 887,642. Indianapolis is the 16th-most populous city in the U.S., the third-most populous city in the Midwest after Chicago and Columbus, Ohio , and the fourth-most populous state capital in the nation after Phoenix , Austin , and Columbus. The Indianapolis metropolitan area is the 34th-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the U.S., home to 2.1 million residents. With

6478-463: Was passed in 1905 restricting building heights on the traffic circle to 86 ft (26 m) to protect views of the 284 ft (87 m) monument. The ordinance was revised in 1922, permitting buildings to rise to 108 ft (33 m), with an additional 42 ft (13 m) allowable with a series of setbacks . A citywide height restriction ordinance was instituted in 1912, barring structures over 200 ft (61 m). Completed in 1962,

6560-462: Was redeveloped into the Canal Walk, a cultural and recreational amenity. North of 18th Street, the canal retains much of its original appearance, flowing through the northside neighborhoods of Riverside , Butler–Tarkington , Rocky Ripple , and Broad Ripple . This segment has been recognized as an American Water Landmark since 1971. Compared to American cities of similar populations, Indianapolis

6642-502: Was successful in landing the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1982, securing the relocation of the Baltimore Colts in 1984, and hosting the 1987 Pan American Games . Beginning in 1992, the mayoral administration of Stephen Goldsmith introduced a number of austerity measures to address budget shortfalls through privatization and greater reliance on public–private partnerships . Major downtown revitalization projects continued through

6724-553: Was the first of its kind in the world when it opened in 1853. During the American Civil War , Indianapolis was mostly loyal to the Union cause. Governor Oliver P. Morton , a major supporter of President Abraham Lincoln , quickly made Indianapolis a rallying place for Union army troops. On February 11, 1861, President-elect Lincoln arrived in the city, en route to Washington, D.C. for his presidential inauguration , marking

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