White River State Park - Key Dates

Key Dates

The following listing shows key points of interest and founding dates surrounding White River State Park and Central Canal Cultural District:

• Historic Pumphouse

1870 - Opens as the original water pumping station for the city of Indianapolis.

1969 - Pumping Station closed.

1980 - Accepted for inclusion on the National Register for Historic Places.

1981 - Renovations complete and reopens as the Park's headquarters and Visitors' Center.

• White River State Park Visitors' Center (Dr. Frank P. Lloyd Sr. Visitors Center)

2003 - Opens.

• Indianapolis Zoo

1988 - Park’s first attraction established.

• White River Gardens

1999 - Opens.

• Historic Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge & Art Sculptures in the Park

1916 - Opens as part of the National Road.

1994 - Historic National Road U.S. 40 previously linking the U.S. from East to West start renovations.

1999 - Art Sculptures in the Park begins.

• NCAA Headquarters & NCAA Hall of Champions Museum

1999–2000 - Relocated to Indianapolis from Kansas City.

• National Federation of State High School Associations Headquarters (NFHS)

1999–2000 - Relocated to Indianapolis from Kansas City.

• Indiana State Museum

2002 - Opens.

• The IMAX 3D Theatre @ White River State Park

1996 - Opens as Indiana's only IMAX theatre.

1996-Present - Operates as the largest IMAX in Indiana.

• Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial

1999 - Opens and dedication.

• Military Park

1822 - Indianapolis's 1st documented 4th of July Celebration.

1852 - First Indiana State Fair.

1861 - Civil War encampment until 1865.

Present day - Home to many charity events, festivals, outdoor concerts, etc.

Trivia - The land known as Military Park is one of only three pieces of property that is forbidden by the Indiana Constitution to be sold – the other two are Monument Circle and half of the State Capitol building.

• Indiana Historical Society

1830 - Founded.

1999 - A neighbor of White River State Park located just east of West Street (City of Indianapolis Property) that opened in 1999.

• State Capitol Building & Government Complex & Cafeteria

Not one of the Park's attractions, but a neighbor to White River State Park and open to the public.

• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art

1989 - Opened as the park’s second attraction.

2005 - Opens expanded gallery space, state-of-the-art education facility, performance/special event areas, and indoor/outdoor dining restaurant - doubling the Museum's size.

• Victory Field Baseball Park

1996 - Opens as home of the Indianapolis Indians playing games from April to September.

2005 - Triple-A affiliate of MLB Pittsburgh Pirates.

• The 1/800-QUIT-NOW Lawn @ White River State Park Concert Series

2004 - Opens Inaugural Summer Concert Season as Indianapolis's world-class Outdoor Concert Venue.

2006 - Named one of the top 100 outdoor concert venues in the world by Pollstar magazine.

2007 - Named one of the top 100 outdoor concert venues in the world by Pollstar magazine, doubles concert attendance with 50,000+ spectators, includes 11 shows.

2008 - Once again, named one of the top 100 outdoor concert venues in the world by Pollstar magazine and over 50,000 spectators at 8 shows.

2009 - Named one of the top 100 outdoor concert venues in the world by Pollstar magazine and another great season with over 50,000 spectators at 12 shows.

• The Indiana Cross Country Arena @ White River State Park

2007 - White River State Park partners with The Indiana Invaders, Indy Greenways, Indianapolis Parks & Canals, the National Institute for Fitness & Sport (NIFS), local and international businesses, and community partners to revitalize the flood plain greenspace along the White River for education, health, and recreation opportunities.

2008 - Opens in August for the first and unofficial Inaugural Season as Indianapolis's world-class outdoor running venue located along the east bank of the White River with 9 meets and invitationals.

2008 - Middle School (Inaugural National Middle School Championships), High School (City of Indianapolis Championships), and Youth (Indiana USA Track and Field Junior Olympics) teams showcase their competitive spirit.

2010 - Anticipating its Official Inaugural Season late summer.