Indianapolis Invites You

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Indianapolis is a city in the center of the state of Indiana and also the state capital. As of 2020, it's population was 977, 642. The capitol building, or statehouse, is the fifth building to house the state legistation and was established here in 1888. While the state was originally inhabited by Native Americans as early as 10,000 B.C., the tribes relinquished the land in that area with the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818. Indianapolis served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, which led the city to have one of the largest black populations in the Northern States, until the Great Migration. The Indiana Ku Klux Klan, led by Stephenson, became an influential organization in Indianapolis from 1921 through 1928, with ties to many of the city's governing boards.During this time, more than 40% of native-born white males in Indianapolis claimed membership in the Klan. Following the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy delivered a notable speech while on the campaign trail in 1968. While Kennedy gathered in the ghetto of Indianapolis to a crowd waiting for a speech about political values and goals, Kennedy instead delivered news of King's death to many who had not yet heard the news and spoke about the need for peace, a speech which is now highly regarded. Demographics in the city have changed over the years with current standings as of 2020 as 61 percent white, 29 percent African-American/black and the remaining other. Former Vice President Mike Pence presided over and resides in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis' most notable recreational attraction is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in the suburb of Speedway approximately six miles west of downtown Indy. This location, the largest sports venue in the world, is the home of well-known motor races the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, and formerly the home of the United States Grand Prix. At the Speedway, there is a museum that houses the Hall of Fame for racing, serving around 1 million guests annually, making it a well-traveled tourist destination in the midwest.