6AM City In-house

We’ll take “Indianapolis” for 400

15 interesting facts about Indianapolis
A skyline photo with Monument Circle as focus
If you already knew all of these facts, you’re officially an Indy expert. | Photo via @danielgrosephotography
Did you know Indy hosts the greatest spectacle in racing every year?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there’s plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of the Circle City’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.

Either way, test your local knowledge with these 15 interesting facts.

1. Indy is home to the world’s largest Children’s Museum, with over 130,000 artifacts + 472,900 sqft. That’s right, that building with an indoor carousel + dinosaurs guarding its walls comes with bragging rights.

2. Indiana Avenue was once a mecca for jazz musicians, who may be responsible for Indy’s nickname, “Naptown.” It may seem surprising, but greats like Wes Montgomery + Freddie Hubbard got their start in the Circle City. If you want to learn more about the city’s musical roots, go on a “walk and talk” with local tour guide Sampson Levingston.

3. Just a couple of years after Neil Armstrong took one small step for man, nearly 500 tree seeds made their way into orbit, as well. One of those “moon trees” can be found downtown, right in front of the Indiana Statehouse. It orbited the moon 34 times as an experiment, to see if the seeds would sprout like normal when they returned.

4. No surrounding building is allowed to be taller than eight stories on Monument Circle. It may seem arbitrary, but it’s only so that sunlight can fall on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument’s limestone + flowing water all day long.

5. In 1930, Indy was home to a major feat in modern engineering. The 11,000-ton Indiana Bell building — another one of Kurt Vonnegut Sr.'s designs — was rotated 90 degrees (roughly 52 feet) south along Meridian Street in a little over a month. Learn how they did it — spoiler alert, it was pretty complicated.
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SAFY of Indianapolis

Click here to have your event featured.

Today
  • Flu-Lapalooza | Thu., Oct. 13 | 1-6 p.m. | Meridian Health Services, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 105, Indianapolis | Free | Get your free flu shot + enjoy Halloween activities.
  • Teen Intro to Bollywood Dance | Thu., Oct. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | Indianapolis Public Library Martindale-Brightwood Branch, 2434 N Sherman Drive, Indianapolis | Free | Join a teaching artist with Arts for Learning to practice basic steps of the Bollywood dance style.
Friday
  • Indy International Festival | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sat., Oct. 15 | 2-9 p.m. | Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis | $6.00 - $12.00 | Explore the sights, sounds, dances, food + cultures of the globe.
  • Jonathan Van Ness: Imaginary Living Room Olympian | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $35.00 - $65.00 | Take in the “queer joy, gymnastics, and side splitting comedy” tour.
  • William Clark Green | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7 p.m. | The Hi-Fi Indianapolis, 1043 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis | $17.00 - $20.00 | Enjoy this Flint, TX native’s country rock sound.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Downtown Indy INC

Weather
  • 60º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of rain
Development
  • The third floor of Circle Centre Mall will soon be occupied by Direct Connect Logistix Inc. The Indy-based company will take up the ~52,000 sqft space formerly used by Nordstrom + IndyStar. The target move-in date is in December and Direct Connect — which specializes in food and beverage delivery services — spent around $3 million to get it ready. 🏗️ (IBJ)
Open
Tech
  • Dronedek — a Lawrence-based company — started a crowdfunding campaign for its smart mailbox. It works with ground robotics + drones to achieve autonomous delivery that’s safer and more secure than traditional mailboxes. Dronedek raised more than $100,000 within the first day of its fundraising campaign. 📦 (Inside Indiana Business)
Trending
  • What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas — unless you happen to marry an inanimate object. Avon native Thomas Rank recently said “I dew” to a can of Hard Mtn Dew. In addition to a bubbling new spouse, Thomas received accommodations for two nights in Vegas, $1,000 in cash + a reception. 💍 (WTHR)
Ranked
  • The Alexander Hotel and IronWorks Hotel made the cut in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the top 15 hotels in the Midwest. The Alexander (333 Delaware St.) came in at No. 3 + IronWorks (2721 E. 86th St. ) is sitting at No. 14. 🏨 (WRTV)
Community
  • Since the 1930s, the Fletcher Place Community Center has been providing pre-K programming to help break the cycle of poverty. Now, 150 years later, it’s looking to double the amount of kids it serves. You can help it reach its goal by donating + volunteering. (WTHR)
Number
  • $1 million. That’s how much money former Colts tight end Dallas Clark raised for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Hawaii’s VinFast Ironman World Championship last week. At age 43, Dallas swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles, finishing at just over 13 hours and 15 minutes. 💰 (WISH)
Seasonal
  • Several hunting seasons have begun for Indiana, including deer, squirrels, mourning doves, snipe, turkeys + sora rail. Hoosiers must have a valid Indiana hunting license in order to participate. Get the details on when the seasons start for beavers, deer, coyotes + rabbits. 🦌 (IndyStar)
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6AM City In-house

Co-work makes the dream work 💼

Far east side co-working space is now open in Indianapolis, IN
A counter with chairs and a sign that says "Be the Change"
P30’s core values are to disrupt, ignite + launch. | Photo via @p30.indy
Co-working space P30 is now open on the far east side + in case you’re wondering, the name is a play on its address.

The 40,000 sqft building at 3039 N. Post Rd. features 35 offices that span from 75-1,300 sqft.

Executive Director Tamise Cross has major goals for the facility in the next decade, including:
  • launching 300 businesses
  • creating 3,000 employment opportunities
  • generating $30 million in revenue
A $49 membership to P30 involves access to on-site laundry, coffee, indoor community garden, arcade, podcast studio, fitness center, showers, and meditation room.

Though there are already tenants occupying 31 offices in the building, a grand opening is scheduled for Fri., Oct. 28.

You can reserve a room or take a virtual tour here.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anna.

Editor’s pick: Want more info on that poppin’ Vegas wedding? I know you dew. Apparently, the blessed occasion occurred after the soda company asked the question, “Do you love Hard Mtn Dew enough to marry it?” Thomas competed against other can fans by writing a personalized wedding proposal. Now’s he’s hitched, for rich or for pour.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Keep up with business openings + closings.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Nicole Fancher | Advertise with us.

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