• Black-and-white overview of a family grave site with an obelisk in the center. Text overlays the image saying "Benjamin Harrison Burial Place. Indianapolis, Indiana."
    Indiana,  presidents

    Benjamin Harrison Burial Place in Indianapolis, Ind.

    Following his departure from the presidency, Benjamin Harrison returned to his home in Indianapolis, Ind.  In 1896, he married Mary Lord Dimmick, the widowed niece of his deceased wife Caroline.  He returned to practicing law and represented the Republic of Venezuela in its boundary dispute with British Guiana in 1898.  In February 1901, doctors believed Harrison was suffering from a severe case of influenza.  Despite treatment, his condition worsened, and he died from pneumonia on March 13, 1901.  He was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery next to his first wife.  In 1948, Mary Dimmick Harrison was buried next to her husband in the family plot. Crown Hill Cemetery is almost…

  • Diagonal view of a three-story, brick Italianate house with "Touring the Benjamin Harrison presidential site" overlaying the image.
    Indiana,  presidents

    Touring the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

    In 1875, Benjamin and Caroline Harrison relocated their family from downtown Indianapolis to the Old Northside.  While campaigning for president in 1888, he gave speeches outside the house.  After leaving the presidency, Harrison married Mary Lord Dommick after his first wife’s death and resided at the house until his death in 1901.  Eventually, Mary Dimmick Harrison sold the house on the condition that it remain a memorial to her husband.  In 1974, the Arthur Jordan Foundation renovated the house and opened it as a historic house museum.  The home is now known as the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Arriving at the museum The museum is at the intersection of North…

  • Image of a yard of bricks with "Kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway" overlaying the image.
    Indiana

    Kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    Few places come to mind as quickly as Indianapolis Motor Speedway when discussing motorsports.  For fervent fans, visiting Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is like a pilgrimage.  However, even the casual fan can enjoy a visit to the historic track, its accompanying museum, and walk away with memories of kissing the bricks at IMS. Arriving at the speedway Entrance to the speedway for fans is between Turns 1 and 2 along 16th Street.  Visitors drive through the South Tunnel before seeing the museum in front of them with parking on each side. Museum atrium The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum opened in 1976 and underwent a renovation in 2016.  It currently has…

  • Overview of a room with several wooden picnic benches and a large bar in the background. Text overlaying image says "A pint at Sun King Brewery (Section sign) Indianapolis, Indiana."
    craft beer,  Indiana

    A pint at Sun King Brewery in Indianapolis, Indiana

    The ownership group of Sun King Brewery includes five people, but Dave Colt and Clay Robinson stand front and center as the pair who drive the bus.  The pair’s long history in the Indianapolis beer scene led them to start their own brewery in 2009, which is now the second-largest brewer in Indiana. Brewery’s history Colt and Robinson met while working at Ram Restaurant & Brewery.  Eventually Robinson quit his job and turned his attention to opening a production brewery.  In search of a head brewer, Robinson turned to Colt and the duo began developing what would become Sun King Brewery.  The ownership group expanded to include Clay’s father Omar,…

  • Overview of multiple 12-story buildings with text overlaying image that says "My experience at the Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown."
    hotel review,  Indiana

    My experience at the Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown

    For my first visit to Indianapolis, I was looking for a hotel in downtown so I could walk to the Indianapolis Indians baseball game (read about my visit to the ballpark here).  The Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown was an ideal choice for a downtown hotel.  The hotel is a five-minute walk to Victory Field, a five-minute walk to the sights in White River State Park, an eight-minute walk to the Indiana Convention Center, and a thirteen-minute walk to Lucas Oil Stadium.  The hotel is a short drive to several tourist attractions.  For example, it is an eleven-minute drive to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, a twelve-minute drive to Indianapolis Motor Speedway,…

  • Overview of a baseball field with the Indianapolis skyline behind it. Text overlays the image that says "My night with the Indianapolis Indians."
    ballparks,  Indiana

    My night with the Indianapolis Indians – June 11, 2019

    There are a lot of award-winning baseball stadiums across the United States.  One of these ballparks is Victory Field, which has been home to the Indianapolis Indians since 1996.  Although the ballpark may be considered “old,” it still offers fans a great setting on the western edge of downtown Indianapolis to watch a baseball game. Arriving at the ballpark Victory Field has several parking garages and a few surface lots nearby.  Options closest to the ballpark tend to be more expensive.  The team’s website provides details on some of the closest parking options.  The stadium is close to several downtown hotels with many options only a ten-minute walk from the…