National Historic Landmark

Walker, Madame C. J., Building

Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Listed
July 16, 1980
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
80000062

About this property

The Madam C. J. Walker Building, which houses the Madam Walker Legacy Center, was built in 1927 in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, and as Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. The four-story, multi-purpose Walker Building was named in honor of Madam C. J. Walker, the African American hair care and beauty products entrepreneur who founded the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company, and designed by the Indianapolis architectural firm of Rubush & Hunter. The building served as the world headquarters for Walker's company, as well as entertainment, business, and commercial hub along Indiana Avenue for the city's African American community from the 1920s to the 1950s. The historic gathering place and venue for community events and arts and cultural programs were saved from demolition in the 1970s. The restored building, which includes African, Egyptian, and Moorish designs, is one of the few remaining African-Art Deco buildings in the United States. The Walker Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Location

617 Indiana Ave.
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
39.77618, -86.16718

Categories

ARCHITECTUREPERFORMING ARTSBLACKINDUSTRYCOMMERCEENTERTAINMENT/RECREATIONINVENTIONEDUCATIONSOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Indiana Avenue Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Kuhn, Charles, House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Colored Knights of Pythias Castle Hall
Industrial
0.2 mi
Bethel A. M. E. Church
Industrial
0.2 mi
Ransom Place Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Walker, Madame C. J., Building listed on the National Register?

Walker, Madame C. J., Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 16, 1980.

What type of historic resource is Walker, Madame C. J., Building?

Walker, Madame C. J., Building is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Walker, Madame C. J., Building a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Walker, Madame C. J., Building has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Walker, Madame C. J., Building?

The period of significance for Walker, Madame C. J., Building is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Walker, Madame C. J., Building?

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