During the 1930s and 1940s, Indiana Avenue was the place to be if you were an African-American looking for entertainment in Indy. Despite the fact that many white family-owned businesses refused to do business with Blacks, they were able to establish their own thriving community near the heart of Downtown Indianapolis.
A variety of movie theaters, nightclubs, stores and other establishments lined the street. Though African-Americans lived in various parts of the city, when someone said “meet me on the Avenue,” they knew exactly where to go.
Anchored by the Walker Theatre, the area regularly featured the who’s who of Black entertainment. Many famous musicians performed on the Avenue, including Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson and Freddie Hubbard. Though much of the Avenue has been renovated, community leaders have fought to preserve its history throughout the years, and remnants of Indiana Avenue’s rich history still exist today.
