1904 – Imperial Highness Prince Pu Lun of China visited Indianapolis. He and his entourage stayed at the Claypool Hotel and met with Mayor John W. Holtzman. They visited local businesses, including the Waverly Automobile Company and Eli Lilly Laboratories. They watched a baseball game at Manual Training High School before departing for Lafayette.
1919 – An interurban car went out of control and overturned in downtown Noblesville. An 8-year-old boy was killed and 23 others were injured. Eight automobiles parked on the town square were demolished.
1936 – The architectural firm of Rubush and Hunter presented plans for the new H. P. Wasson Department Store at the northwest corner of Washington and Meridian in Indianapolis. The structure of granite and Indiana limestone, with no windows above the second floor, would be considered one of the most distinctive in the state.
1977 – Janet Guthrie became the first woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. An aerospace engineer, she was also the first woman to compete in the Daytona 500. Her helmet and driver suit are now in the Smithsonian Institution.
1988 – Fred Rogers gave the commencement address to the 473 graduates at the University of Indianapolis. In his remarks, the star of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” quoted Pinocchio: “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you.”
2002 – The Indiana State Museum opened in its new location in White River State Park. Over 5,000 people attended the first day ceremonies.
Did you know?
Downtown Indianapolis shoppers once had three major department stores to choose from, all within a short walk.
The L. S. Ayres store was at the southwest corner of Meridian and Washington Streets. Across from Ayres on the northwest corner was the H. P. Wasson store. Nearby, on the southwest corner of Illinois and Market Streets, was the William H. Block Company.
The Ayres store is now part of Circle Centre Mall, the Wasson building contains offices, and Block’s now houses luxury apartments.