Indiana War Memorial Plaza National Historic Landmark

American Legion Mall comprises two city blocks and is the largest of the five-city block plaza. The actual mall is located at the north end of this part of the plaza. The plaza's overall design is reflective of The National Mall in Washington, D.C. and the City Beautiful Movement, a popular design trend in the 1920's.

The American Legion, itself was the catalyst for the Indiana War Memorial Plaza. The history of this plaza is inextricably connected to the history of the American Legion. The search for the national headquarters location led to the creation of this plaza as one of the greatest national tributes to our veterans.

The same tools that General John Pershing used in laying the original Indiana War Memorial cornerstone in 1927 were used in a like ceremony on May 6, 1949 for the enlarged American Legion Headquarters. A time capsule was placed inside and contains the following: a current edition of the Indianapolis Star, other city newspapers, facsimiles of several historic documents and a history of the War Memorial, itself.
Throughout the 1990's three monuments were added to the mall to honor Indiana veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Korean and Vietnam Wars Memorial

★ Designed by Indianapolis architect, Patrick Brunner, the Korean



and Vietnam Wars Memorial was added to American Legion Mall and dedicated at the Indianapolis 500 Festival Memorial Service on May 24, 1996.

★ The Memorial is situated at the south end of the Mall with the Vietnam War portion to the southwest and the Korean War portion to the southeast. The structure is segmented, 12-1/2 foot diameter, 25 foot tall limestone and granite cylinder.

★ Students of Lake Central High School, St. John, Indiana have provided the research necessary to assemble the veteran names and the poignant excerpts of letters on display.

★ The Vietnam War segment is slightly larger than the Korean War segment to comparatively display the number of Hoosiers killed or missing in action in each war.

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Veterans Memorial Plaza
Indiana Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial, a War Memorial
Scottish Rite Cathedral
Veterans Memorial Plaza
American Legion Mall
Indiana World War II Memorial, a War Memorial
Benjamin Franklin
Susan B. Anthony
Glencoe Building
Veterans Memorial Plaza

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