Posted in Indianapolis October 25, 2017 by

10 Facts About Indianapolis You Never Knew Were True

Even if you’ve lived in Indianapolis your entire life, it’s nearly impossible to know everything about the past and present of this storied city. But by reading this article, maybe you’ll find out a few of the things you didn’t already know. Here are 10 facts about Indy that you may not have known:

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
1. Indianapolis replaced Corydon as the state capital in 1821.
Joe Monin/Flickr
On January 11, 1820, a committee was authorized by the state to select the site of a new state capital. A year later, the state legislature approved the site — our city — and named it Indianapolis.
2. Indianapolis is the largest major U.S. city that’s not located on a navigable river.
vlkis@/Flickr
While we are situated by the White River, this river is too shallow to navigate, thus making Indianapolis the only major city not directly on a navigable body of water.
3. Crown Hill Cemetery is the third largest cemetery in the United States.
Rhonda W./Yelp
Encompassing 555 acres, this cemetery is where John Dillinger, Benjamin Harrison, and James Whitcomb Riley are buried.
4. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world.
Valerie Everett/Flickr
At 472,900 square feet, the Children’s Museum features five floors of exhibit halls and receives more than 1.2 million visitors per year.
5. The Slippery Noodle Inn, one of the city’s most popular bars, was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Robert Z./Yelp
It also happens to be a spot where gangster and bank robber John Dillinger once shot up, as well as the city’s — and state’s — oldest continuously operating bar.
6. The famous ballpark song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was written by Indianapolis native, Albert Von Tilzer.
Steve Baker/Flickr
The next time you hear this famous song sung during the 7th inning stretch of a baseball game, remember that a Hoosier wrote it.
7. Indianapolis is home to the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indy 500.
Lenny/Flickr
People come from all over the world for this spectacular race that first started back in 1911.
8. Indianapolis has the most interstate legs in the United States, hence the state nickname, "Crossroads of America."
Adam Moss/Flickr
Four interstate highways intersect the city: I-65, I-69, I-70, and I-74, as well as two auxiliary interstates: I-465 and I-865.
9. Elvis Presley's last concert was at the now-demolished Market Square Arena in 1977.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
He went on to pass away less than three months after that show.
10. Eagle Creek Park is one of the country’s largest municipal parks.
Maria B./Yelp
At this famous park, you’ll find more than 1,400 acres of the water and 3,900 acres of land.

How many of these facts about Indianapolis did you know? Are there any other ones we should know about? Let us know in the comments below!