Tomlinson Hall

Tomlinson Hall was a two-story brick building located at Market and Delaware Streets with a large auditorium as its centerpiece. The main room could seat about 4,200 people in the audience area, while the stage provided space for an additional 650 performers.

The building was completed in 1886 after Stephen D. Tomlinson, an Indianapolis druggist, left funds in his 1870 will for its construction. It became an important venue for events until a fire destroyed the main structure on January 30, 1958.

The hall served as a gathering place for concerts, political assemblies, and conventions that drew people from across the region. Visitors came to hear speeches, witness performances, and participate in the civic life of Indianapolis.

The ground floor contained offices and market spaces, while the second floor held the main auditorium for public events and performances. The basement of the destroyed building survives and remains accessible today as part of the Indianapolis Catacombs beneath City Market.

The basement that survived the 1958 fire has become part of an underground network beneath City Market, offering visitors a chance to explore a hidden layer of the city's past. This subterranean space was largely forgotten for decades before being rediscovered and opened to the public in recent years.

Location: Indianapolis

Inception: June 2, 1886

Architects: Diedrich A. Bohlen

GPS coordinates: 39.76861,-86.15389

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00