Indianapolis is a city with a captivating past and a vibrant present. It has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples since 10,000 BC and was founded in 1821 as the planned headquarters of the Indiana state government. Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham designed the city on a 1-square-mile (2.6 km) grid along the White River. The completion of the national and Michigan highways and the arrival of the railroad later solidified Indianapolis' position as a manufacturing and transportation hub, earning it the nicknames Crossroads of America and Railroad City.
Since 1970, local government administration has been managed by an elected 25-member city-county council headed by the mayor. The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) is a quasi-government agency that organizes regional car and van ridesharing and operates three public workforce connectors from Indianapolis to the Plainfield and Whitestown employment centers. Healthcare in Indianapolis is provided by more than 20 hospitals, most of which are part of private, nonprofit health systems such as Ascension St. Vincent Health, Community Health Network, and Indiana University Health. When it comes to culture, Indiana is renowned for its Southern charm, basketball, saying the word “ope”, hosting the Indy 500 auto race (dubbed “The Greatest Show in Racing”), and its flat farmland full of corn.
White River State Park covers 250 acres in downtown Indianapolis and features canals, sculptures, a summer concert hall, and some of the best views in the city. The largest monument is the Indiana World War Memorial, which stands more than 200 feet tall. War Memorial Plaza covers seven city blocks; no other city in the United States dedicates more acres to fallen Americans. The Indiana State House is located in Indianapolis and serves as the capital of the state. Mass Avenue is a cultural center located inside Indianapolis that is also known for its green space.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) is the principal law enforcement agency in the city. Notable weeklies include NUVO, an alternative weekly; the Indianapolis Recorder, a weekly newspaper serving the local African-American community; the Indianapolis Business Journal, which reports on local real estate news; and the Southside Times. The Indiana Cultural Trail is a former railroad route transformed into a 26-mile-long asphalt trail that begins in North Indianapolis and extends to the center of the city. From 1921 to 1928, Stephenson's Indiana Klan was one of the most powerful political and social organizations in Indianapolis, controlling City Council and Board of School Commissioners among others. The city is home to many important attractions such as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis Zoo, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Mass Avenue. Indianapolis has something for everyone - from professional sports teams like the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts to its rich history and vibrant culture. It's no wonder why so many people are drawn to this amazing city!.
