Cyclorama

When you look at the photo of the Cyclorama in 1900, one would assume it was one of our early basketball venues. In fact, it seems basketball was the only thing the building didn’t host.

The building was intended to be called “The Art Palace,” with the first floor to be occupied by photographers, artists and art dealers. But the building housed a Cyclorama — a 42-foot tall, 358-foot wide painting depicting the Civil War Battle of Atlanta, giving viewers a 360-degree view of the mural.

When the mural was moved to Atlanta, the building became a "House of Fads.” Livery owner Horace Woods rented the building and opened a horseback riding academy; then it featured a car show, “society circus,” roller skating, the Waverly Bicycle Company riding school, auto polo, carnivals and the Frank Bostock Zoo. The latter had some success until Rajah the tiger reportedly clawed an attendant.

It was demolished in 1903 to make room for the Indianapolis Traction Terminal Building (see stop 3).