Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Founded in 1876 by a small group of young women who resolved to deliver bouquets to patients in the City Hospital, the Indianapolis Flower Mission quickly grew to become one of the most respected philanthropic organizations in the city. During its almost one hundred and twenty year history, the Indianapolis Flower Mission created lasting institutions such as a nurses’ training school, a visiting nurse program, and two hospitals. While historians may be tempted to dismiss flower missions like the one in Indianapolis as naïve or sentimental groups, closer inspection reveals they were much more. My main argument is that though the work of the Indianapolis Flower Mission may at first glance appear trite, it was actually practical and life-saving and deserves serious consideration from historians. First, delivering flowers to the sick and poor had value, especially when we understand how people at the time thought about flowers and what emphasis people placed on spiritual as well as physical health. Second, the Indianapolis Flower Mission quickly transitioned away from simply delivering flowers into work like providing healthcare to the poor. Third, the Indianapolis Flower Mission provided women a respectable way to work outside their homes and gain experience in philanthropic, business, and political activity. Finally, the Indianapolis Flower Mission provides a specific case study that sheds light on other flower missions around the nation and the world.

The drive-in theater was a phenomenon unique and prosperous in 1950s America. At the height of their popularity, there were over 4,000 drive-in theaters located across the United States. Their great success came because they were suitable to the mindset of the time-they provided a place for a family to be together without dress code, babysitter, or parking problems, and without having to leave their beloved cars. Construction of 23 drive-in theaters occurred in the Indianapolis area between 1940 and 1974. These varied in size and location, but all contained the essential ingredients-a large concession stand, children's playground, and any other gimmick that would gather their audiences before sunset.By the mid-1960s, the drive-in theater industry began a steady decline which has continued to present. The drive-in theater always faced obstacles, including weather, insects, seasons, and poor technical quality of both picture and sound. Adding to this was the change in the American mindset, increased opposition from community moralists, and especially, the rise in property values.This creative project documents the general history of drive-in theaters across the United States, takes a closer look at the drive-in theaters in the Indianapolis area, and records them in an inventory. / Department of Architecture

During the nineteenth century, technological advances in grain elevator construction revolutionized bulk grain storage and handling. The mechanical elevation of grain in storage facilities was one such advancement. More importantly was the evolution in construction material from wood to reinforced concrete. Both allowed for the construction of massive grain storage facilities. Economic forces associated with the transition of agricultural production in the United States from domestic subsistence to international supplier encouraged the construction of large terminal facilities. This was particularly true in the years immediately preceding the United States' involvement in World War I. These technological advances and economic forces contributed to the development of Indianapolis as a major terminal grain center in the nation during the first half of the twentieth century. This thesis examines the history of this development, as well as, that of the reinforced concrete grain elevator in Indianapolis with a focus on three specific grain elevator facilities. / Department of Architecture

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The Charity Organization Society of Indianapolis experienced founding, maturing, and corporate phases between 1879 and 1922. Indianapolis provided the ideal setting for the organized charity movement to flourish. Men and women innovated to act on their civic ideal to make Indianapolis a desirable city. As charity leaders applied the new techniques of scientific philanthropy, they assembled data one case at a time and based solutions to social problems on reforming individuals. The COS enjoyed its peak influence and legitimacy between 1891 and 1911. The organization continually learned from its work and advised other charities in Indianapolis and the U.S. The connected men and women engaged in organized charity learned that it was not enough to reform every individual who came to them for help. Industrialization created new socioeconomic strata and new forms of dependence. As the COS evolved, it implemented more systemic solutions to combat illness, unemployment, and poverty. After 1911 the COS stagnated while Indianapolis diversified economically, culturally, ethnically, and socially. The COS failed to adapt to its rapidly changing environment; it could not withstand competition, internal upheaval, specialization, and professionalization. Its general mission, to aid anyone in need, became lost in the shadow of child saving. Mid-level businessmen, corporate entities, professional social workers, service club members, and ethnic and racial minorities all participated in philanthropy. The powerful cache of social capital enervated and the civic ideal took on different dimensions. In 1922 the COS merged with other agencies to form the Family Welfare Society. This dissertation contributes to the scholarship of charity organization societies and social welfare policy. The scientific philanthropy movement did not represent an enormous leap from neighborhood benevolence. COSs represented neither a sinister agenda nor the best system to eradicate poverty. Organized charity did not create a single response to poverty, but a series of incremental responses that evolved over more than four decades. The women of Indianapolis exhibited more agency in their charitable work than is commonly understood. Charitable actors worked to harness giving and volunteering, bring an end to misery, and make Indianapolis an ideal city.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In the fall of 1917, between 30,000 and 40,000 Indianapolis women registered to vote. The passage of the Maston-McKinley partial suffrage bill earlier that year gave women a significantly amplified voice in the public realm. This victory was achieved by a conservative group of Hoosier suffragists and reformers. However, the women lost their right to vote in the fall of 1917 due to two Indiana Supreme Court rulings.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Where and why there? -- Demand for office space -- Architectural influences -- Building inventory / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Architecture

At the turn of the 19th century, cities were vibrant with strong economies, increasing populations, large building movements and most importantly, technological innovations. Availability of frequent and efficient transportation was key to the sustenance and growth of cities. This thesis is an exploration of the impact the street and interurban railway systems made on the city of Indianapolis and its suburbs during their heyday of service between 1864 and 1930.To verify the value of railway locations in relation to the direction of Indianapolis suburb growth, an effort to conduct quantifiable research was applied. First, population growth in Marion County, Indiana and its surrounding eight counties was studied. Evidence of significant growth in areas served by streetcar and interurban systems in comparison to areas that were served only by steam railroad or no service were highlighted. Second, historical land use change research was conducted to determine how land along Indianapolis corridors served by the streetcar railway system was affected by the introduction of such service. Finally, a review of popular response to the systems was undertaken to better understand the effects of the railways on the population. / Department of Architecture

This thesis examines stained glass windows in Indianapolis churches built between 1865 and 1915. It studies the trends in Indianapolis stained glass windows and compares them with the national trends in stained glass design. The evidence contained within this thesis indicates that a wide variety of styles popular at the time are represented in Indianapolis churches. The evidence also suggests that some national trends in stained glass did influence the design of the windows in Indianapolis. However, most of the windows in the surviving Indianapolis churches from the period are not typical of the high style trends in church stained glass found elsewhere in the United States. / Department of Architecture