This week in Indiana’s history …
1820 – Indiana Governor Jonathan Jennings, Commissioner John Tipton, and others set out from the state capital of Corydon to select a site for a new capital city. They traveled through the dense forest into the middle of the state. After a five-day journey, they arrived at the home of William Conner near present-day Noblesville. From there, they began their survey of the area.
1905 – Construction began on the Tulip Railroad Trestle in Greene County, east of Bloomfield. At over 2,300 feet long and 157 feet tall, it is one of the longest bridges of its kind in the world. The structure took one and one-half years to build, and it is in still in use today.
1920 – United States Vice President Thomas Marshall gave the keynote address at the Democratic State Convention in Indianapolis. Speaking at the Denison Hotel, the former Indiana Governor praised President Woodrow Wilson and his policies during World War I. Former Indiana Governor Samuel Ralston was cheered by the crowd when he encouraged Marshall to run for President.
1932 – Dan Wakefield was born in Indianapolis. He attended Shortridge High School where he was a sports writer for the school’s newspaper, The Shortridge Daily Echo. He graduated from Columbia University and went on to become a journalist, novelist, and screenwriter. Two of his novels, Going All the Way and Starting Over, were made into movies.
1986 – At commencement ceremonies for Indiana Central University, school president Gene E. Sease announced that the name of the institution would be changed to The University of Indianapolis. He and Mayor William H. Hudnut said the change had already been authorized by the Indiana Secretary of State and would take place immediately. At the same time, a $25 million “Focus on the Future” fund drive was launched.
1991 – Willy T. Ribbs became the first African American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. He qualified again in 1993 and also competed in many other forms of auto racing, including Indy Car, NASCAR, and the Trans-Am Series. He was raised on a ranch in California where he became interested in racing at an early age.