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All the United States Indiana Indianapolis The Ruins
AO Edited

The Ruins

Once adorning a New York skyscraper, these reclaimed ruins now haunt an Indiana park.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Added By
Eric Grundhauser
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The Ruins   Donna Cazadd on Flickr
The Ruins   Donna Cazadd on Flickr
The Ruins   Valerie Everett on Flickr
The Ruins   Serge Melki on Flickr
Sculptures in front   ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  Ian Sanwald / Atlas Obscura User
  Ian Sanwald / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  johneatinger312 / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Ian Sanwald / Atlas Obscura User
  johneatinger312 / Atlas Obscura User
Sunset   jaredrrt / Atlas Obscura User
Moon shot June 2018   jaredrrt / Atlas Obscura User
June 2018   jaredrrt / Atlas Obscura User
The Ruins   jaredrrt / Atlas Obscura User
Ivy   jaredrrt / Atlas Obscura User
Beautiful foliage   jaredrrt / Atlas Obscura User
  ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
  ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
The back of the ruins   ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
September 2017   mdrsell / Atlas Obscura User
The Stones   rwgain02 / Atlas Obscura User
Reflecting Pool   rwgain02 / Atlas Obscura User
Man 3 on the Facade   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Man 2 on the Facade   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Man 1 on the Facade   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Perspective Photo of Individual Sculpture   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Closeup 2 of Face from Individual Sculpture   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Closeup 1 of Face from Individual Sculpture   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Selection 2 of Preamble to the United States Constitution on Artifact   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Sculptures of Three Men at the top of The Ruins   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Artifact from Building with The Ruins in Background   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Walking into Holliday Park - View behind The Ruins   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Selection 1 of Preamble to the United States Constitution on Artifact   DerekLuxe / Atlas Obscura User
Ruins   karann / Atlas Obscura User
turtle family   karann / Atlas Obscura User
sculptures around newly remodeled fountain   karann / Atlas Obscura User
The restored Ruins   Holly Beach- Thought & Sight
  Mkwolfor / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located in Indianapolis' Holliday Park, the simply-named stone features known as The Ruins are not actually some ancient collection of statuary, but are instead the remains of a demolished New York skyscraper preserved as though they were works of classical art.

Which is not to say that the stone figures and arches are not beautiful. The three figures resting atop the portion of foundation that was moved to the park are artful pieces of sculpture collectively known The Races of Man. Originally a part of the now-demolished St. Paul Building in Manhattan, the squatting figures were once made to look as though they were supporting the weight of the high rise above them. According to the sculptor each of the bodies represented a different race, all working together; Caucasian, Asian, and African-American respectively (they were constructed in the 1890's).

Since the initial installation of the St. Paul facade, other features have been added to the scene including a ring of classical columns surrounding the imported stonework, pieces of other buildings (although none as notable as the original), and water effects such as fountains and reflecting pools. Unfortunately in recent decades the site has been largely left to deteriorate although public outcry is leading to a push for restoration. Ironically, while the site was never home to actual ruins, the neglect of the space may be leading to it finally living up to its name.    

Update October 2016: The newly revitalized Ruins are now open to the public. The weeds are gone, with a garden in their place, and the restored monument is gorgeous. The fencing has also been removed, so that you can now wander among the Ruins.

Related Tags

Art Architecture Sculptures Sculpture Gardens Ruins

Know Before You Go

Just put Holliday park into your gps, and once you arrive, the Ruins are impossible to miss from the parking lot.

Community Contributors

Added By

EricGrundhauser

Edited By

littlebrumble, Raven Traveler, Thought and Sight, DerekLuxe...

  • littlebrumble
  • Raven Traveler
  • Thought and Sight
  • DerekLuxe
  • jaredrrt
  • mdrsell
  • rwgain02
  • karann
  • ickaimp
  • Collector of Experiences
  • ski queen
  • Ian Sanwald
  • Mkwolfor
  • johneatinger312
  • suehle

Published

January 2, 2015

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Sources
  • http://www.wthr.com/story/22586272/group-fights-to-save-unique-ruins-at-holliday-park
  • http://nerdfighters.ning.com/forum/topics/the-ruins-in-holiday-park-indianapolis
  • http://thoughtandsight.com/ruins-early-nyc-skyscraper-live-indiana-park/
The Ruins
6363 Spring Mill Rd
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46260
United States
39.870816, -86.16339
Visit Website
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