In December 2023, Mirror Indy received a tip about Greenlawn Cemetery and the two projects that threatened to disturb human remains still buried there.
Over the following four months, Mirror Indy journalists interviewed historians, preservationists, a city archivist, a bioarchaeologist, and officials from the city’s Department of Public Works and Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration. They obtained public records and scoured historical newspaper accounts and the state archives.
The result of that reporting was published in May 2024. It documents some of the history and potential future of Greenlawn Cemetery, a shorthand for what are four historic cemeteries located southwest of Mile Square.
“There is so much that has been undocumented and therefore unknown about Black life in Indianapolis and this cemetery is a treasure trove of this history.”
— Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program
At the time, there were two projects planned for the site: Part of a city bridge project and Eleven Park, a collection of retail, commercial and residential buildings anchored by a 20,000-seat soccer stadium.
Since our first story was published, we’ve continued to follow the issue and publish updates, which appear below.
If you have any tips, comments or complaints, please reach out to Mirror Indy reporter Emily Hopkins: emily.hopkins@mirrorindy.org.
How the city responded
Development continues
Does this story sound familiar? You might have heard about Greenlawn through headlines about the city’s plans to build the Henry Street Bridge over the White River southeast of downtown.
It’s also where Keystone Group planned to build a housing, retail and commercial space anchored by the Indy Eleven pro soccer stadium. As of November 2024, the future of those plans was unclear.
One thing that is clear: Remains found at Greenlawn today will be exhumed with more care than they were in the past, and examined in a lab at IU Indianapolis. We’ll learn about their race, gender, health and even their diet.
But the loss and destruction of grave markers will make identification difficult. For many, their names will remain a mystery.
Henry Street Bridge
Indy officials to host public meeting on work at Greenlawn Cemetery
The July meeting will feature an update on historical research and archaeology.
Indy finds human remains, graves as Henry Street bridge work begins
Contractors uncovered 20 grave shafts, human remains and a possible grave marker.
Westsiders look forward to Henry Street Bridge connection to downtown
The $43-million project will connect Elanco’s headquarters to downtown.
City unearths piece of railway history near Greenlawn Cemetery
Excavation of the site is set to begin later this fall.
Henry Street bridge work will close parts of White River Parkway and trail
The closures will last until fall 2026. Here are the detours.
Eleven Park Soccer Stadium
Hogsett’s MLS stadium tax district gets final local approval
The taxing district is part of the city’s pitch to attract a Major League Soccer team.
Human remains at Eleven Park: What we know from public records
Public records offer us a glimpse at what’s been found at the former Diamond Chain site.
Mayor Hogsett’s MLS-or-bust plan gets past council
The vote was yet another blow to the $1.5-billion Eleven Park project.
2 visions for soccer in Indy, and Mayor Hogsett’s ultimatum
Eleven Park supporters keep pushing for the project amid concerns about human remains.
Cash-strapped Wayne Township would benefit from Keystone deal
The trustee is negotiating a deal to relocate Greenlawn remains to a westside cemetery.
Former Greenlawn Cemetery should be park or memorial, Hogsett says
The Indianapolis mayor wants to honor the residents who were buried there and build a soccer stadium at a different location.
