USS INDIANAPOLIS

The USS Indianapolis Memorial is a can’t-miss stop when visiting Indianapolis, Indiana. The National Memorial commemorates the crew members aboard the USS Indianapolis upon its sinking in 1945. The Portland-class heavy cruiser was used to deliver components for the atomic bomb on Tinian Island discreetly. A Japanese submarine sank the USS Indianapolis as it returned to its base during WWII. Of the 1,195 men on the Portland-class heavy cruiser, only 316 survived.

 

It took nearly 50 years for the surviving crew members of the USS Indianapolis to see their dream of the USS Indianapolis Memorial come to fruition in 1995. Designed by Joseph Fischer, the granite and marble National Monument lists the names and ranks of the soldiers who served on the USS Indianapolis. On the other side of the WWII monument, you will find an exquisitely carved rendering of the USS Indianapolis.

 

About the Location

The USS Indianapolis Memorial is at the end of the Canal Walk between Senate Avenue and Walnut Street. And it’s open from dawn to dusk, allowing you time to take in the National Monument and explore the nearby canal. The Indiana Central Canal Walk is a three-mile trek where you can take in the sights and enjoy serenity. The waterway was dug in the early 1800s to boost interstate commerce. The parking lot is a bit away from the memorial, and you may have to park on a metered street.

 

The USS Indianapolis Memorial is ADA-compliant and accessible by stairs or a sloped wheelchair ramp. After you’ve taken in the memorial and the beautiful fountain feature, you can picnic downslope from this memorial before adventuring along the canal. If you’re looking for something for the kids to do, a nearby children’s park will provide plenty of entertainment and space for you to keep an eye on them comfortably.

 

Check out our article about Newfields.

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