History of Indianapolis

Indianapolis has a relatively short history, having only been a recognised part of the map since the early 19th century. The city has developed rapidly, however, since its incorporation it is now a popular visitor destination as well as one which offers its residents modern amenities and a high standard of living.

Early days

Prior to its founding, Indianapolis was little more than an area of swampland which went by the name of Fall Creek and was populated only sparsely, with the majority of residents being fur traders. A character going by the name of George Pogue is believed to have been the first European American to arrive in the area with the history books telling us that on March 2, 1819, he made his home in a log cabin on the banks of the White River in the area that is now White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis.

The city was founded in 1821 and its name created by the judge, Jeremiah Sullivan who took the name of the state of Indiana and combined it with the Greek word polis meaning city. From the beginning Indianapolis was chosen at the states capital city on account of its location on the original east-west National Road.

On October 1, 1847, construction of the Madison & Indianapolis railroad began and its subsequent completion brought greater numbers of migrants to the city as well as growth in industry. The arrival of the 20th century saw Indianapolis transformed into a major manufacturer of automobiles, establishing an industry to rival that of Motor City Detroit. By this time, Indianapolis was also served by a number of major roads with connections to cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville and St. Louis, a factor that led to the city being named "The Crossroads of America."

Recent times

In the late 19th century, the city benefitted greatly from the discovery of natural gas and oil deposits in its surrounding areas and this led to an influx of migrants into the area and a subsequent explosion in the citys population during the first half of the 20th century. Rapid suburbanisation followed and with this came a deterioration of relationships between the white and black community. The 70s and 80s saw Indianapolis hit a period of urban decay and many areas were relegated to ghetto status. The 90s however, saw redevelopment and revitalisation of many of the run-down areas, improving the publics attitude towards the city.