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State Historical Marker

Indianapolis, Indiana


Title: John Muir in Indianapolis

Location: Former site of Osgood, Smith & Co., Illinois & Merrill Streets on grassy triangle, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.

John Muir in Indianapolis State Historical Marker - Side 1

John Muir in Indianapolis State HIstorical Marker - Side Two

ID Number: 49.2004.2

Marker Text:

Side One: Born 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, Muir moved to the U.S. with his family, settling in Wisconsin 1849. As a youth, he became interested in nature and mechanical inventions. He attended the University of Wisconsin and was consumed with an interest in botany. In 1866, he came to Indianapolis and worked at a carriage materials factory located here.

Side Two: Following a severe eye injury, Muir left Indianapolis September 1867 to begin extensive travels, which ended in California March 1868. His deep friendship with Catharine Merrill and others, however, resulted in a lifelong connection with Indianapolis. Muir co-founded the Sierra Club 1892 and was president until he died December 24, 1914.

 

Historical Background and References:

  • John Muir in Indanapolis - Extended information about Muir in Indianapolis on the John Muir Global Network
  • Text Annotation by Indiana Historical Bureau - background references and citations for the marker.
  • John Muir in Indiana (PDF) by Harold W. Wood, Jr. - required research paper submitted to Indiana Historical Bureau in support of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter request for a commemorative historical plaque in Indianapolis.
  • John Muir Remembered in Indiana with New Historical Marker by Lori Hazlett, The Indiana Sierran, (Fall, 2004)

Credits: Marker was installed in July, 2004 by Indiana Historical Bureau, with funding from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, and Various Donors. Photo courtesy of Indiana Historical Bureau.



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