History Resources

Here are 8 excellent resources for researching Indianapolis History, both written and photographed.

1. Indiana Historical Society: The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) offers a wide collection of historical information, exhibits, and photographs about Indianapolis. You can access their collections online and explore archives, historic photographs, and resources related to the city’s past.
   • Website: indianahistory.org
2. Indianapolis Public Library: The Indianapolis Public Library offers local history collections, including digitized photographs and historical documents, that cover different aspects of the city’s past. The library’s digital collections feature valuable resources for anyone interested in the history of Indianapolis.
   • Website: indypl.org
3. Indiana State Library: The Indiana State Library contains collections of books, photographs, maps, and other resources that detail the history of Indianapolis. The library also offers access to genealogical resources for tracing the history of families in the area.
   • Website: in.gov/library
4. Indiana Historical Bureau: The Indiana Historical Bureau provides historical markers and articles that document significant historical events, locations, and figures in Indianapolis’ history. They also offer access to photos and research materials.
   • Website: in.gov/history
5. Historic Indianapolis: A website dedicated to the history of Indianapolis, offering blog articles, photographs, and interesting tidbits from the past. This is a great source for exploring Indianapolis through historical lenses.
   • Website: historicindianapolis.com
6. Digital Indy (Indianapolis Public Library Digital Collection): Digital Indy is a project by the Indianapolis Public Library that provides a collection of historical photos, documents, and records related to the history of Indianapolis. You can explore specific collections such as neighborhoods, events, and landmarks.
   • Website: digitalindy.org
7. Indiana Album: A community-sourced online archive that collects and shares photographs and documents related to Indiana’s history, including those of Indianapolis. Contributions are made by residents and local historians.
   • Website: indianaalbum.com
8. The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: An online encyclopedia that offers in-depth entries on historical events, places, and notable people related to Indianapolis. It includes resources such as timelines and galleries.
   • Website: indyencyclopedia.org

These resources offer both historical data and access to visual archives, including photos that document Indianapolis’ rich history.

Author: Ryan Mullin

I Love the city of Indianapolis. Art, real estate, small biz and model trains. :)