The Indianapolis Athletic Club was founded in 1886 and quickly became a premiere private club for Indiana businessmen and society elite. It was especially active in Indiana Democratic politics. Credited with fielding one of the first football teams in Indiana and hosting many of the earliest games, it also promoted baseball and boxing matches. The IAC was a founding member of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States on January 21, 1888.[2]
Indianapolis Athletic Club | |
 Indianapolis Athletic Club seen from the northeast | |
     | |
| Location | 350 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°46′21″N 86°9′28″W / 39.77250°N 86.15778°W |
| Architect | Daggett, Robert Frost |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000887[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 15, 2015 |
The Indianapolis Athletic Club was housed in the existing building at 350 North Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The historic clubhouse was designed by Robert Frost Daggett and constructed between 1922 and 1924. It is an Italian Renaissance style brick building. The club closed in 2004 and the building was converted to luxury condominiums.[3][4]
The club had over 2,000 members including governors, mayors, legislators, community leaders, business men, and college, professional and Olympic athletes.[5] The building had athletic, social, and event spacs, including the Frank McHale Room, Robert V. Welch Lounge, Frank McKinney Pool, and a large ballroom. There were three floors of overnight guest rooms. The other athletic facilities included the pool, a full-court basketball gym, racquetball courts, squash courts, weight room, cardiovascular equipment, and steam room.
On February 5, 1992, a fire caused by faulty refrigerator wiring killed one overnight guest and two firemen. [6]
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/14/15 through 12/18/15. National Park Service. December 24, 2015.
- ^ "Indiana Sack Coat 1st Sgt. Sports Fan c.1886-1890". U.S. Militaria Forum. July 16, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "IAC History". Indianapolis Athletic Club. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ^ "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved August 1, 2016. Note: This includes David W. Jackson (September 1995). "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Letter" (PDF). Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Athletic Club Historyhttps://historicindianapolis.com/indianapolis-then-and-now-hasselman-fahnley-house-and-the-indianapolis-athletic-club/
- ^ Athletic Club Fire https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2015/02/05/athletic-club-fire/22915979/
External links
edit
Media related to Indianapolis Athletic Club at Wikimedia Commons
