With the growth of local pride and demand for “homegrown” products, there are many opportunities to experience true Hoosier culture. Whether it’s restaurants, attractions, shops or anything in between, we’ll showcase some of our favorite gems that make Indiana a great place to live and work.
On my lunch break one day, I decided to hike up 331 steps to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument for a bird’s eye view of our great city. The elevator was an option for a minimal fee, but I decided to sweat it out.
Once I stopped wheezing and moaning about impending death (I can be a little dramatic), I was able to enjoy a pretty spectacular view. From 231 feet in the air, I still had to crane my neck to look up to the top of Chase Tower. I could see Salesforce’s roof-top lounge area on top of the Guaranty Building, which looked awesome. I chose a particularly good time for this excursion because the Indy 500 design was emblazoned on the JW Marriott. The top of the Statehouse seemed to glow in the sunlight. All the people looked so little!
It’s easy to overlook or take for granted something incredible like the Soldiers and Sailors Monument when it’s in your backyard. I learned so much about this outstanding architectural achievement:
- Since 1902, the Monument has stood as a tribute to the past and an inspiration for the future as the only Civil War monument in America dedicated to ordinary soldiers and sailors. More than 24,000 Hoosiers gave their lives to preserve the Union.
- The Monument is built of gray oolitic limestone from the Romana quarries of Owen County.
- The east side of the Monument features a large cascade fountain from which more than 5,000 gallons of water flow per minute.
- By the time it was dedicated on May 15, 1902, the complete cost of the design and construction was nearly $600,000. It has been estimated that building a similar structure today would cost more than $500 million.
Below the monument, you can also tour the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know Eli Lilly was a colonel in the Civil War, so it was intriguing to learn about his service. The museum portrays Indiana’s contributions to the war in the fields of battle and on the homefront. Exhibits include aspects of camp life, marches into battle, hospitals and the depiction of soldiers returning home.
Colonel Eli Lilly’s uniform
The monument and museum are so unique to Indy. Exploring it provides you with historical context of our city’s monument, and you get to see a dramatic panorama of the city. I recommend taking the elevator to the top!
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument interior facilities are free and open to the public 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, May through October. Tours may be scheduled by calling (317) 233-0528.
