Welcome to Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana! With a population of about 827,609, Indianapolis is the 9th biggest city in the United States. This city has oriented itself mainly around government, industry, and manufacturing. It also greatly contributes to the fields of education, healthcare, and finance. Tourism plays a vital part in the economy of Indianapolis. This city hosts many conventions and sporting events, some of the more famous ones being Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and the National Hot Rod Association.
Forbes lists Indianapolis as having one of the best downtowns in the US. Citing more than 200 retail shops, 35 hotels, and 300 restaurants, and numerous movie theaters, sport venues, museums, parks, and art galleries, Indianapolis is the perfect place eat, drink, shop, and have fun!
History
In January, 1820, the Indiana legislature picked 10 commissioners and ordered them to locate the new capital as near as possible to middle of the state, the purpose being to take advantage of western migration. By summer of 1820, over a dozen families settled the area. In 1821, the legislature approved the site and Indianapolis was created. The name of the city is a combination of Indiana and the Greek word "polis," which translates to "city."Four square miles was allotted for the city but the chief surveyor E.P. Fordham felt that only one square mile was necessary. Alexander Raistan was hired to design the city. He modeled it after the nation's capital, Washington D.C., with four main avenues branching out north, south, east, and west from a central circle.
Upon creation on 1821, Indianapolis was declared the newly configured Marion County. Four years later the population of the city was roughly 600. By 1832, the population was only 1000. The small growth was due to the fact that Indianapolis was on the banks of the White River, which was too shallow for commerce. The construction of the Central Canal solved the problem temporarily but soon failed as the water volume decreased. In 1831, the national highway was routed through Indianapolis, which fulfilled the original purpose of the city's location. With the arrival of the Madison and Indianapolis rail lines in 1847, the city gained access to the Ohio River.
By the eve of the Civil War, the population, aided by the massive waves of German immigrants, increased to over 18,000. The city provided modern services and supported a stable economy. During the Civil War, Indianapolis became a major wartime city for the Union. Progress continued after the war up to the recession in 1873. During the last two decades of the 19th century, Indianapolis experienced a period of the growth known as the "golden age."In 1881, the city installed electric street lights, becoming one of the first US cities to do so. Many new landmarks emerged that helped define the city's identity. A new market, statehouse, and Union Station were completed in the late 1880s. Many wealthy citizens moved to the city and built Victorian-style houses on North Meridian Street. This resulted in the emergence of new neighborhoods and suburbs along the avenues. At the turn of the century, the city emerged as an automobile industry powerhouse. Charles Black, a local inventor, is credited with the creation of the first internal combustion engine. However, because it required a kerosene spark, it was very impractical. Indianapolis manufactured over 60 different cars before World War I. Other industrialists in the city were responsible for many automobile innovations and improvements.
