Walking Tour #3

Historic Fort Benjamin Harrison
The  Southwest Section
From Greentree Real Estate  2.0 miles round trip 3500 to 6000 steps

Brief History

Built from 1906 to 1908 the base is named after Indianapolis’ own President Benjamin Harrison. It was created during the term of President Theodore Roosevelt and part of his policy to “speak quietly and carry a big stick”. The original streets were all named after Spanish-American War soldiers. Later Streets were named after soldiers from other conflicts.

The Tour

Starting from the Greentree real estate office go north to 56th St, and walk east on the sidewalk. During the Fort’s active days 56th Street was called Aultman after Brigadier General Dwight E. Aultman, who commanded the Fort just after WWI. Head east past three buildings all modern build after the base Closure. The last of the three is a medical office building that was the first new building built after the Fort’s closure. It became a the model for future buildings.

Go south on the trail on the west side of Herbert Lord Dr. This was named after Brigadier General Herbert Lord who after WWI lobbied for a separate Finance Department and succeeded. The building on your left is the new child care center build after the Fort closed. Note the many unusual angles to the building-hardly federalist style which exemplifies the rest of the Fort.

Behind this building is the mammoth Finance Center also named the Major General Emmett J. Bean Center, also known as Building 1. This is the second  largest Army building and contains over a million square feet.Over 5000 people work here.It is the home of the Army dollar and when it is open it is said that $43 million dollars a minute goes out of it. General Bean was the person responsible for bringing the Finance Center to the Fort. Over 100 million dollars was spent on its latest renovations.

Continue south past the service road that serves the businesses along 56th Street to the building that houses the Indiana Youth Soccer Association, the group that  oversees all of the youth soccer in the state of Indiana. Just before the youth soccer building follow the trail into the soccer fields. This is one of the best soccer complexes in the country and has 23 soccer fields in total with two of them lighted. This complex was featured in USA Today as an excellent example of how a community can serve youth.

Stay on the main trail going west toward Benjamin Square housing development. In midfield there is a trail that goes left, but stay on the main trail that slightly jogs to the left. When the trail approaches Benjamin Sq it abruptly turn left. Stay on the trail going south to the first right which enters the Benjamin Square housing development. This was the only housing development actually developed by the Reuse Authority. All but one of the streets in this development are named after officers in the Civil War, both sides.

Continuing on the main trail ignoring a left branch, you will cross Wilder Way named after Colonel John T. Wilder commander of the lightening brigade to whom Colonel Eli Lilly was assigned. Stay on the main trail going west ignoring a right branch. You will next cross Drum Rd  named after General Hugh Drum former Deputy Chief of Staff who served at Fort Harrison. This is the one exception to the Civil War naming rule. Follow trail taking the left fork after Drum. Follow the trail until it starts to cross bridge and take right on Pelham Way. This road was named after Major John Pelham, who served under JEB Stuart, and was known as the “Gallant Pelham”.

Across the bridge is Lawrence Parks, Marsh Grocery store, and about a ½ mile away  a Dairy Queen. The trail is not complete, but in the future it will connect back to the 23 soccer fields making a nice loop walking trail. Take Pelham Way to Barksdale Rd, named after Confederate General William Barksdale killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Turn right (west) and go to Milroy Rd., named after Indian General Robert Milroy. Continue on Milroy to Buford Ave, named after the hero of Gettysburg Union General John Buford. Take right on Buford to Pelham where you will take a right. Take Pelham to Barksdale and take a left(east).

Go to Drum Rd and go left (north) Take Drum to entrance to the INDesign Building and take right to return to the Greentree Real Estate office and your place of beginning.  INDesign is one of Indiana’s premier high tech firms holding over a hundred patents in telecommunications. As you walked Drum you pass Doubleday Rd and Ames Rd. Doubleday is named after Union General Abner Doubleday, and reputed founder of baseball. Ames is named after General Adebert Ames who faught both in the Civil War and the Spanish American War. The Civil War is well represented in modern Lawrence.

The late Frank Welcher of Lawrence wrote two well regarded books on the organization of the Union army. The late Alice Rains Truelock along with her husband wrote” In the Hands of Providance” a biography of the life of Union General Joshua Chamberlain.