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.
American Legion National Headquarters
★ The Indiana World War Plaza is a direct result of the American
Legion selecting Indianapolis as the site for the Legion's National Headquarters, now at the north side of American Legion Mall. Most economic development was undertaken to attract the American Legion. Indiana was recognized as a hub of major rail transportation and a true "Crossroads of America" central to all Americans.
★ The American Legion was informed in February-March of 1919, immediately following the World War. The veterans of The World War desired to honor their fallen and to associate themselves in common endeavors fo their own and the nation's good.
★ Construction on the American Legion State Headquarters began in 1925, and it was the first building constructed in the entire plaza. It was the original headquarters for the American Legion National Headquarters until it moved to a new, larger building on the Northeast corner of American Legion Mall in 1950.
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