INDY BEACONS: Dr. John Evans created state’s first mental health hospital
The accomplished doctor move on to found both Northwestern University and the University of Denver.
Indy Beacons
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INDY BEACONS: Major Taylor, the fastest man on two wheels
Indy’s most-famous cyclist pedaled against racism to prevail in some of the world’s most prestigious championships.
INDY BEACONS: Indy native Ted Stevens made mark on Alaska
Like his long-time Senate colleague Richard Lugar, Stevens attended Indianapolis Public School No. 84 and Shortridge High School.
INDY BEACONS: Frederick Douglass, campaigner for human rights
The papers of the Nineteenth Century icon are housed at IUPUI’s Institute of American Thought.
INDY BEACONS: Recognizing Indy’s pandemic heroes—nurses
A shortage of nurses hit the city hard during the flu pandemic of 1918-1920.
INDY BEACONS: Steve McQueen, Indianapolis’ greatest movie star
The tough-guy actor left the industry to focus on motorcycle racing after a string of big-budget films in the 1970s.
INDY BEACONS: Ernie Pyle, America’s greatest war correspondent
The Indiana native and Indy 500 lover captured World War II in a way that connected with Americans.
INDY BEACONS: Dr. John Hurty, a leader in time of pandemic
Hurty helped guide both Indianapolis and the state through the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic.
INDY BEACONS: Alexander Ralston, creator of city’s original street grid
Ralston, whose name graces a downtown restaurant and a boutique hotel, was also involved in laying out Washington, D.C.
INDY BEACONS: John Morton-Finney, educator, attorney and lifelong learner
Before Indianapolis educator-attorney John Morton-Finney died in 1998 at the age of 108, he had learned to speak six languages, taught for 47 years in the Indianapolis Public Schools, and received five law degrees.
INDY BEACONS: Dick the Bruiser mixed pro wrestling, promoting
For decades, the Indianapolis-based World Wrestling Association was operated by its biggest star, Dick the Bruiser, who lived in Indianapolis most of his adult life.
INDY BEACONS: Wes Montgomery, a modest king of jazz
The Indy native and self-taught musician was a regular at the city’s jazz clubs and won two Grammy Awards,
INDY BEACONS: May Wright Sewall, early proponent of women’s suffrage
Her work paid off 100 years ago this month with ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
INDY BEACONS: Humorist Kin Hubbard, the man behind Abe Martin
Will Rogers called Hubbard “America’s greatest humorist” and introduced him to a standing ovation at the Ziegfield Follies.