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Indiana War Memorial Plaza | |
 Aerial view of the plaza looking south | |
    | |
| Location | Bounded by St. Clair, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Meridian Sts., Indianapolis, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°46′25″N 86°9′25″W / 39.77361°N 86.15694°W |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Walker & Weeks; Henry Hering |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts, Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001404[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1989 |
| Boundary increase | December 23, 2016 |
| Designated NHLD | October 11, 1994[2] |
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is an urban feature and war memorial located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, originally built to honor the veterans of World War I.[3] It was conceived in 1919 as a location for the national headquarters of the American Legion and a memorial to the state's and nation's veterans.
The original five-block plaza is bounded by Meridian Street (west), St. Clair Street (north), Pennsylvania Street (east), and New York Street (south). American Legion Mall comprises the two northernmost blocks and is home to the Legion's administrative buildings and a cenotaph. Veterans Memorial Plaza, with its obelisk, forms the third block. The plaza's focal point, the Indiana World War Memorial, is located on the fourth block. Modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, it houses a military museum and auditorium.[4] The fifth and southernmost block is University Park, home to statues and a fountain.[5]
On October 11, 1994, the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza was designated a National Historic Landmark District. In 2016, the district was enlarged to include in its scope the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument and was renamed the Indiana World War Memorial Historic District. Combined, it is the largest war memorial project in the United States,[6] encompassing 24 acres (9.7 ha).[7]
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "Indiana World War Memorial Plaza Historic District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
- ^ Rollins, Suzanne T.; Martin, Katherine; Downey, Lawrence; Goetzman, Bruce E. (June 24, 1994). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Indiana World War Memorial Plaza Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. and Accompanying seven photos from 1994(PDF)
- ^ Rollins Stanis, Suzanne T.; Glass, James A. (2021) [1994]. "Indiana World War Memorial Plaza" (website). Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ Rollins Stanis, Suzanne T. (2021) [1994]. "University Park" (website). Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ MacLeod, James (May 22, 2015). "World War I's Heart Is Kept in the Heartland". What It Means to be American. The Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ Mitchell, Dawn (May 25, 2015). "Monumental Indianapolis: Touring Indianapolis memorials". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
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