521 W North Street
521 W North Street Before 1909
In 1907, 521 W North Street was an ice-skating rink. However, the business had a hard time making a profit and had to close its doors. A 1944 article in the Indianapolis Recorder stated that "skating, then as now was very popular, but the returns were small, so it soon changed from a business of joy to a business of sorrow."
A 1935 article from the Indianapolis Recorder references the time that the building was home to what was called "Liberty Hall." This was likely a large community center that held many different events. The article also mentions that the famous boxer Jack Blackburn "began taking on big boys" at Liberty Hall.
The Indianapolis Casket Company
The Indianapolis Casket Company was founded in 1907 by three Indiana natives and two men from South Dakota. The original plan for the company was to hold the factory in South Dakota while they maintained corporate offices in Indianapolis. However, after some reorganizing, 7 men, all from Shelbyville IN, arranged everything to be placed in their hometown. Then in 1909, the company purchased the building at 521 W North street in downtown Indianapolis. This building would serve as a factory for the Indianapolis Casket Company for nearly 80 years.
521 W North Street Today
According to a 1985 article in IUPUI's student newspaper, The Sagamore, during the summer of 1984, the Indiana University Foundation bought the building for $220,000 and the business closed its doors the following month. In 1985, despite many protests from local historic preservationists, the 110-year-old building was leveled. Today, the space once occupied by the large factory building is a parking lot on IUPUI's campus.
Written by Alyssa Meyer
Edited by Hannah Ryker, March 27, 2020