Welcome to Indianapolis! This experience takes you on a historic and architectural stroll through part of what is known as “The Wholesale District” in downtown Indianapolis. The district draws its name from the wholesale businesses that lined its streets at the turn of the century. This cache holds a special significance for Rinkey and JimHoney. We resurrected the archived cache “The Wholesale District” this Valentine’s season as it was our first cache together on our first blind date on January 9, 2005 and 5700 caches later we enjoy caching and being together. We believe that it will be a fun one for you to do again and also for the out of town guests. The coordinates at the top are for the suggested starting point. The building clues are not exactly in order but are all along Meridian Street and Monument Circle. Then you will visit the historical Rink Building across from a restaurant with a history of its own in Indianapolis. Read ALL the clues first to save yourself some steps and enable you to admire the beauty of the District. Print a copy of the attached pictures for a little help along the way. Have fun and enjoy all the architectural and historical charm that our city has to offer.
The cache is located at N 39°FZ.MTA W 086°BQ.HDG Substitute your numerical answers for the corresponding letters.
This railroad station was constructed in 1887-88 as a means of centralizing the trains and travelers of 14 rail lines into the Indianapolis area. With the invention of the automobile, use of the station steadily declined until 1986 when it was redeveloped. The station now houses offices. Q=The number of inches found on the bridge height sign minus 2.
This is one of the city’s oldest cast iron facades, erected in 1871 for dry goods wholesaler Byrum, Cornelius & Co. This Italianate store front allowed for large windows, which was the surest way to shed light on the subject until the electric light was invented and used here in the early 1900’s. Z = The total number of green columns found on the ground floor. Note: include the two pilasters (rectangular columns) on each end.
The McKee Building was constructed in 1888 for the wholesale shoe business of McKee & Branham. It looked to the future in its expansive use of glass and iron, with limited ornamentation. Note the beautiful red brick and arched windows. B= The last digit of the street address.
In the 19th century, a builder could design an entire cast-iron façade by catalog, choosing from a variety of details to create a plain or fancy front. The Vajen Block façade was built in the fancy mode in 1872 to house a grain exchange (symbolized in its cast-iron ornament). This original façade was disassembled and placed in storage until it found its new home here at Circle Center Mall. D=The number of urns on pedestals atop the exchange and add four.
This building is known as the first pharmaceutical building in Indianapolis. In 1876, Colonel Eli Lilly founded his labs here, and in 1867, Dr. John Stough Bobbs performed the fist successful removal of gallstones in man. F= The number of flag poles perched over the marquee. The front of the building looks different from the photo now but the flags are still flying over the marquee.
In 1929 the railroad system constructed the Chesapeake Building as headquarters for the Big Four Railroad. Atop this building note the Art Deco-style terra cotta decoration which now houses an Inn for weary travelers. A = The number of floors/stories found on this building.
This eight-story department store (formerly LS Ayres) was downtown’s retail powerhouse until it closed the doors in 1992. Now an anchor store for Circle Center Mall, each Thanksgiving Eve a 120 lb. bronze cherub magically appears perched atop the ornate clock where it remains until Christmas Eve. G= The last digit of the year the store was built. See the plaque on the corner of the building.
Constructed in 1916, this building was one of the first motion picture palaces west of New York built especially for the purpose of showing feature-length photoplays. Note the beautiful restoration of its terra cotta façade and the marquee with its classical ornamental friezes and row lights. This is now home to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO). T= The first digit in the address and add two.
The Test Building (travel center) was built in 1925. A closer look at this building reveals individual carvings that depict (and reflect) local landmarks such as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument, and the Capital building. There are also detailed carvings of airplanes, cars, and airships. H=Use the first digit in the street address.
This monumental obelisk in the heart of downtown Indianapolis was built as a tribute to the men of the Civil War. Its designer was a 29 year old German Architect, Bruno Schmitz. It is constructed of Indiana limestone, completed in 1901, and dedicated in 1902. It now houses the Museum of Civil War. Take time to enjoy the symbolism found on this beautiful Indiana landmark! M= The last digit of the number of men who "died in service".
Check Sum = 54