25 Surprising Facts About Indianapolis

Think you know Indianapolis? Think again.

The city’s past and present are packed with unexpected stories, clever innovations, and delightfully odd bits of trivia that make Indy one of a kind. Explore twenty-five facts that might just change the way you see the Circle City.

Elvis Presley…

played his last concert at Indy’s Market Square Arena on June 26, 1977.

Concerts & Live Music
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis…

of Indianapolis (the largest in the world) had humble beginnings in the carriage house of the Propylaeum, a popular women’s club.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Indy 500

has produced a long line of automotive innovations, including the first recorded use of a rearview mirror in 1911.

Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
Indianapolis Motor Speedway…

is so large it can fit Vatican City, Yankee Stadium, the Roman Colosseum, the White House, the Taj Mahal, Churchill Downs, Liberty Island, and the Rose Bowl Stadium inside its infield.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Pete Dye…

Designed golf courses around the world, and this Indy natives Brickyard Crossing design includes four holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Golf Courses
The NCAA…

Headquarters in located in Indy’s White River State Park, and when the city hosts the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2026 Indy will tie the hosting record set by Kansas City.

NCAA Basketball
Monuments & memorials…

dedicated to fallen soldiers are everywhere in Indy, with the city claiming more than any city outside of Washington DC.

Monuments & Memorials
Indy’s original plat…

was designed by Alexander Ralston, who had worked with Pierre Charles L’Enfant on the plan for Washington, DC. The last parcel of land is at Plat 99, a popular watering hole downtown.

Plat 99
Monument Circle…

was originally home of the governor’s mansion before an international design competition resulted in the Soldiers and Sailor Monument.

Soldiers & Sailors Monument/Monument Circle
The Soldiers & Sailors Monument…

that now stands on the Circle is only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.

Soldiers & Sailors Monument/Monument Circle
St. Elmo Steak House…

originally opened as Joe Stahr’s Tavern in 1902, one year before the dedication of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.

St. Elmo Steak House
The Indianapolis Prize…

Is granted biennially in partnership with the Indianapolis Zoo and is the largest prize for awarded for animal conservation in the world.

Indianapolis Zoo
The Indiana Pacers…

are still in Indianapolis thanks to a 16.5-hour telethon staged in 1977 to save the team and keep them from leaving Indy.

Indiana Pacers
Reggie Miller…

is perhaps Indy’s most beloved sports figure, but fans were angry when the franchise snubbed Indiana Hoosier Steve Alford in favor of the UCLA shooting guard.

Reggie Miller Mural
Madam C.J. Walker…

was the country’s first self-made female African American millionaire, and the Walker Theatre is named for her.

Madam Walker Legacy Center
Wonder Bread…

started in Indy in 1921 and their iconic branding was inspired by colorful hot air balloons drifting over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the International Balloon Race.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
John Dillinger…

and his gang left behind bullet holes that are still lodged in the wall of Indy’s legendary blues club, the Slippery Noodle Inn.

Slippery Noodle Inn
The Indiana Convention Center…

expanded in 2011, but a tiny marker was placed on the convention floor showing where the 50-yard line of the RCA Dome once stood.

Indiana Convention Center
David Letterman…

is best known as host of the Late Show, but he got his start in Indy where he attended high school in Broad Ripple.

Broad Ripple Village
The Athenaeum…

was originally a German American social and cultural center and was designed by the great-grandfather of author Kurt Vonnegut.

Athenaeum
The Central Canal…

is best known for the scenic 3-mile canal walk, but it was originally part of a plan to build a 296-mile canal through Indiana.

White River State Park
Underground tunnels…

measuring 28 miles were recently completed to storm runoff and clean the water in indy's White River.

White River
The White River

Was tapped for water that was cleaned and used to fill three pools inside Lucas Oil Stadium of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trails - Swimming.

Lucas Oil Stadium
Taylor Swift…

played three sold-out shows at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2024 as part of the Eras Tour, but her first time performing there was in 2008 for the FFA Convention.

13 Taylor Swift-Coded Spots in Indy
The Signia by Hilton…

will bring 800 rooms connected rooms to the Indiana Convention Center bringing the total to 5,500 – more than any city in the country.

New Developments