Ed Fujawa
@edfujawa.bsky.social
Indianapolis history nerd, author, attorney. Indianapolis history blog: http://class900indy.com.
Yesterday’s Indianapolis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yesterdays-indianapolis/id1801086459
Yesterday’s Indianapolis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yesterdays-indianapolis/id1801086459
One hundred years ago today, at 5:21 pm, a Hamilton County jury (courthouse shown below) returned a guilty verdict against D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Indiana KKK, for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, leading to the decline in the Klan’s power in Indiana. 1/2
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
One hundred years ago today, at 5:21 pm, a Hamilton County jury (courthouse shown below) returned a guilty verdict against D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Indiana KKK, for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, leading to the decline in the Klan’s power in Indiana. 1/2
A few images of the Northern Lights from the campus of Butler University. Aircraft trail is a United flight from Chicago to Indy.
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 AM
A few images of the Northern Lights from the campus of Butler University. Aircraft trail is a United flight from Chicago to Indy.
Doing some prep work last weekend for a Nov. 8 historical tour of the old Indianapolis Zoo site at Washington Park in partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indy Parks. Check out the link in the comments for more info and to RSVP.
November 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Doing some prep work last weekend for a Nov. 8 historical tour of the old Indianapolis Zoo site at Washington Park in partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indy Parks. Check out the link in the comments for more info and to RSVP.
A then and now of the northwest corner of Delaware and Washington Streets in downtown Indianapolis. The ‘then’ image is from 1961, which at one point didn’t seem all that long ago, but is now more than 60 years in the past.
September 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A then and now of the northwest corner of Delaware and Washington Streets in downtown Indianapolis. The ‘then’ image is from 1961, which at one point didn’t seem all that long ago, but is now more than 60 years in the past.
Happy to announce that last Friday I finalized a contract for a new book with The History Press. This title will branch out from my usual Indianapolis centric focus, and explore the history of lesser-known events, places, and people around all of Indiana.
August 27, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Happy to announce that last Friday I finalized a contract for a new book with The History Press. This title will branch out from my usual Indianapolis centric focus, and explore the history of lesser-known events, places, and people around all of Indiana.
The first Indy Steak n’ Shake location opened in 1954 on Lafayette Rd. and was a drive in format. The chain has undergone several evolutions of its locations and brand since, including a new counter service model. Clippings from the Feb 1982 Indianapolis Star & Feb 2020 IBJ. 2/2
August 22, 2025 at 11:43 AM
The first Indy Steak n’ Shake location opened in 1954 on Lafayette Rd. and was a drive in format. The chain has undergone several evolutions of its locations and brand since, including a new counter service model. Clippings from the Feb 1982 Indianapolis Star & Feb 2020 IBJ. 2/2
A food related ‘then and now’ on this Friday, here is the Steak n’ Shake restaurant location at 5360 North Keystone in Indianapolis. ‘Then’ image is from 1958, and a lot has changed with that corner, and the restaurant in 60 years. 1/2
August 22, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A food related ‘then and now’ on this Friday, here is the Steak n’ Shake restaurant location at 5360 North Keystone in Indianapolis. ‘Then’ image is from 1958, and a lot has changed with that corner, and the restaurant in 60 years. 1/2
Then and now of the Indianapolis Sentinel newspaper building, located on the east side of Illinois just south of Washington, where Circle Centre stands now, although the building had already been demolished when construction on the mall began in the late 1980s. 1/2
August 11, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Then and now of the Indianapolis Sentinel newspaper building, located on the east side of Illinois just south of Washington, where Circle Centre stands now, although the building had already been demolished when construction on the mall began in the late 1980s. 1/2
Another upcoming waterway talk, this one will explore the history of Eagle Creek reservoir, and the history of a now long gone house along its shores. Thanks to the @indylibrary.bsky.social for hosting this event! Pre-reg is required so check out the link in the comments to get your seat!
August 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Another upcoming waterway talk, this one will explore the history of Eagle Creek reservoir, and the history of a now long gone house along its shores. Thanks to the @indylibrary.bsky.social for hosting this event! Pre-reg is required so check out the link in the comments to get your seat!
A ‘then and now’ of the Pembroke Arcade’s frontage along Virginia Ave., just southwest of the intersection of Washington and Pennsylvania streets. The Arcade also had frontage on Washington, with a slight elbow between that and its Virginia Ave. entrance. A parking lot now occupies the Arcade site.
July 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A ‘then and now’ of the Pembroke Arcade’s frontage along Virginia Ave., just southwest of the intersection of Washington and Pennsylvania streets. The Arcade also had frontage on Washington, with a slight elbow between that and its Virginia Ave. entrance. A parking lot now occupies the Arcade site.
One last update on the streetcar site on Washington Street near the statehouse. The rails have been removed, but the remains of the rail ties are still visible in the ground (removed pieces of ties are in a pile nearby).
July 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
One last update on the streetcar site on Washington Street near the statehouse. The rails have been removed, but the remains of the rail ties are still visible in the ground (removed pieces of ties are in a pile nearby).
If you are in or around Bloomington tomorrow (Sunday the 13th), stop by the library branch on Kirkwood at 2 pm for a ‘Coffee with Friends’ event where I’ll be discussing my book, Vanished Indianapolis and the research process for the book, including some in the field adventures.
July 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
If you are in or around Bloomington tomorrow (Sunday the 13th), stop by the library branch on Kirkwood at 2 pm for a ‘Coffee with Friends’ event where I’ll be discussing my book, Vanished Indianapolis and the research process for the book, including some in the field adventures.
A ‘then and now’ looking north from the intersection of Meridian and Maryland. The ‘then’ is from 1916, while the ‘now’ is from this past Thursday. Visible here is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Merchants Bank building, and the unexpanded Ayres Building.
July 12, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A ‘then and now’ looking north from the intersection of Meridian and Maryland. The ‘then’ is from 1916, while the ‘now’ is from this past Thursday. Visible here is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Merchants Bank building, and the unexpanded Ayres Building.
This marble plaque at Lincoln School #18 on Palmer St. on the southside was installed in 1903 to memorialize a claimed Lenape Native American sugar camp on the site. While its face is degraded (photo is enhanced for clarity), it reads "Until 1820 Here Was A Camp of the Delaware Indians." (1/2)
July 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This marble plaque at Lincoln School #18 on Palmer St. on the southside was installed in 1903 to memorialize a claimed Lenape Native American sugar camp on the site. While its face is degraded (photo is enhanced for clarity), it reads "Until 1820 Here Was A Camp of the Delaware Indians." (1/2)
Construction work for the Blue Line bus route on Washington Street just south of the statehouse has revealed the remains of the streetcar tracks which ran along this stretch of roadway. Some brick work is also visible.
June 27, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Construction work for the Blue Line bus route on Washington Street just south of the statehouse has revealed the remains of the streetcar tracks which ran along this stretch of roadway. Some brick work is also visible.
Programming note for a few months from now: I’ll be presenting about Indianapolis waterway history at the Irvington Historical Society on September 21 at 2 pm. It’s going to be really cool.
June 15, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Programming note for a few months from now: I’ll be presenting about Indianapolis waterway history at the Irvington Historical Society on September 21 at 2 pm. It’s going to be really cool.
Four covers of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce monthly magazine ‘Activities’ celebrating the Indianapolis 500 in 1922, 1923, 1928 and 1929. These are from the Indianapolis Special Collection Room at the Indianapolis Public Library.
May 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Four covers of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce monthly magazine ‘Activities’ celebrating the Indianapolis 500 in 1922, 1923, 1928 and 1929. These are from the Indianapolis Special Collection Room at the Indianapolis Public Library.
@williamhazen.bsky.social Any idea the story behind this BYD non-BRT bus out in a yard just off Mass Ave?
May 17, 2025 at 4:52 PM
@williamhazen.bsky.social Any idea the story behind this BYD non-BRT bus out in a yard just off Mass Ave?
A small plaque in Holcomb Gardens at @butleru.bsky.social recalls the construction of the Central Canal, and the financial collapse which spelled its doom. (1/2)
May 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A small plaque in Holcomb Gardens at @butleru.bsky.social recalls the construction of the Central Canal, and the financial collapse which spelled its doom. (1/2)
Roosevelt also inspected the hydro therapy pool at Riley used to treat patients with infantile paralysis (a.k.a polio). His visit was described in these clippings from the Indianapolis Times and News, respectively. Images of FDR at Riley from the archives of the IU Indy University Library. 2/2
April 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Roosevelt also inspected the hydro therapy pool at Riley used to treat patients with infantile paralysis (a.k.a polio). His visit was described in these clippings from the Indianapolis Times and News, respectively. Images of FDR at Riley from the archives of the IU Indy University Library. 2/2
Images from a Sept. 5, 1936 visit by Franklin D. Roosevelt to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. Per the Indy Times, FDR “was greeted by the child victims of the dread disease of infantile paralysis, which he himself had conquered by years of patient and courageous fortitude.” 1/2
April 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Images from a Sept. 5, 1936 visit by Franklin D. Roosevelt to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. Per the Indy Times, FDR “was greeted by the child victims of the dread disease of infantile paralysis, which he himself had conquered by years of patient and courageous fortitude.” 1/2
Two images of the work, both taken from the 18 bus. One taken this morning, the other on April 2.
April 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Two images of the work, both taken from the 18 bus. One taken this morning, the other on April 2.
Not the best then and now, but this is the same view of the ‘then’ Fairview Park as seen from today’s campus of @butleru.bsky.social. The color “then” image is a postcard from the archives at the Irwin Library.
April 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Not the best then and now, but this is the same view of the ‘then’ Fairview Park as seen from today’s campus of @butleru.bsky.social. The color “then” image is a postcard from the archives at the Irwin Library.
Ran across this postcard of the old Emrichsville Bridge, which once carried 16th Street across the White River. Demolished in 1949, the only remains are the base of some of the mid river piers for the bridge, as shown in these images from a 2022 kayak trip.
April 17, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Ran across this postcard of the old Emrichsville Bridge, which once carried 16th Street across the White River. Demolished in 1949, the only remains are the base of some of the mid river piers for the bridge, as shown in these images from a 2022 kayak trip.