Whistler pest specialists are proud to serve the residents of the Indianapolis area! The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is an urban feature in Indianapolis, Indiana, that was originally erected to memorialize World War I veterans. The American Legion Mall has administration offices and a memorial cenotaph. The Veterans Memorial Plaza, with its obelisk, is to the south. It is the largest military monument project in the United States when completed.

The plaza’s focal feature is the Indiana World War Memorial, modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. A military museum and an auditorium are also available. South of the plaza, University Park has statues and a fountain. The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is a National Historic Landmark District. 

Legacy

In 1919, Indianapolis tried to lure the American Legion from its temporary home in New York City. Congress founded the American Legion after WWI to encourage patriotism, national security, and veterans. Indianapolis already has the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, so three veterans intended to bring the Legion there. Cities sent delegations to the 1919 American Legion convention in Minneapolis to lobby for a new headquarters. Indianapolis garnered respect for its strategic location and patriotism. Indianapolis won the second round with 361 of 684 votes despite receiving the most in the first round.

The city and state were then required to provide a site and build a WWI memorial. In 1920, the plaza site was a public library, St. Clair Park, University Park, and two city blocks with an American Legion national headquarters, public buildings, and a war memorial. In 1920, the Indiana War Memorial Bill allocated $2 million for building and land. 1921: Construction begins. The city and state agreed to divide site and upkeep costs. In 1921, the Legion consecrated the Plaza with a cornerstone from the Château-Thierry bridge.

1923-1950

A War Memorial Board solicited proposals for a memorial to memorialize all World War I veterans and house American Legion meetings, archives, and offices. Walker and Weeks of Cleveland, Ohio were chosen as a partnership in 1923. Their design included the main memorial as well as two ancillary structures, an obelisk, a mall, and a cenotaph. After requesting bids, Craig-Curtiss began work on the American Legion building in 1925. The structure’s design complemented the adjoining public library. When Congress authorized World War I veterans’ bonuses in 1936, Indiana instead built a memorial plaza. The existing library, federal building, and University Park were all incorporated into the Neoclassical design. 

Currently

The War Memorial and plaza grounds are examples of City Elegant architecture, which favored classical, consistent beauty. The plaza extends north of Monument Circle for five blocks, between St. Clair, Pennsylvania, New York, and Meridian Streets. The plaza is part of the Historic District, as are the Indianapolis Public Library to the north and the Birch Bayh Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse to the south. The Scottish Rite Cathedral is west of the plaza, while the Minton-Capehart Federal Building is east.

Indiana World War Memorial Plaza hosts Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day festivities. Salesforce Tower, three blocks south of the Memorial structure, features a roof design similar to the Memorials.

We want you to know all about the amazing city of Indianapolis and the exciting historical places it owns. Call (317) 943-4008 for more pest control services offered here and see our Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument post while you’re on the move!