With festivals, parades, a reputation for lots of haunted houses, and even a society of witches, Halloween is big in Indianapolis.

We wanted to see what it was like before, so we visited the Indiana Historical Society’s photo collection.

Some of the goodies we found: a photo from the 1947 Irvington Halloween costume parade; a mysterious 1910s image of women gathered around a stew pot; one of the very first Bag Ladies fundraisers to fight AIDS; and some ’80s treats from the Indy Recorder’s collection showing children in clown costumes.

Children at IPS School #35 are gathered around a large Jack-o-lantern, Oct. 26, 1985.
“Clown Around with the Tawasis” was the theme of the Oct. 27, 1984 annual Tawasi Club Halloween Dance. The event took place at the St. Peter Claver Center, and prizes were awarded for best costume. Credit: Indianapolis Recorder Collection/Indiana Historical Society
The annual Bag Lady Bus Tour began in Indianapolis in 1981. Around Halloween about 70 men dressed in drag and boarded buses to travel from bar to bar soliciting money to fight AIDS. They were named for their likeness to New York City “bag ladies,” who were described in an article as fun and campy with lots of “hutspah.” Credit: Damien Center Collection/Indiana Historical Society
The fifth and sixth grade group of the Indianapolis Chapter of Jack N Jill of America Inc. participated in the Children’s Museum Halloween opening day parade and tour of the Haunted House, 1981. Children pictured are [from left] Heather Smith, Dawn Bullard, Keith Gray, Angela Gordon, Ashanti Butler, Allison Jones, Walden Thompkins, Michael Henderson and Bryan Murphy. Credit: Indianapolis Recorder Collection/Indiana Historical Society
The Wheeler Boys Club celebrated their annual Halloween “Spooky Experience,” at the Wheeler facility, 2310 E. 30th Street, 1981. Pictured with Halloween decorations are Mrs. Mary Cole and Robert Cole. Credit: Indianapolis Recorder Collection/Indiana Historical Society
Adults and children are wearing costumes. The room is decorated with crepe paper, black cats, jack-o-lanterns and cornstalks. There is a stage at the back of the room. Credit: Martin Collection/Indiana Historical Society
A volunteer “witch” pours out punch from her caldron at a Halloween theme dance at an the Indianapolis Service Men’s Centers Inc.,1957. Credit: Indiana Historical Society
A group of volunteers poses during a Halloween theme dance at an the Indianapolis Service Men’s Centers Inc., 1957. The organization provided a “home away from home” for people in military service from WWII into the 1960s. Credit: Indiana Historical Society
A Boys Club Halloween party in 1943. Credit: Martin Collection/Indiana Historical Society
The first of Irvington’s Halloween festivals occurred in 1927 and was organized by the Irvington Commercial & Welfare Association. After a hiatus, the Irvington Business Men’s Association sponsored the event from 1946 until the mid-1960s. One feature of the celebration is the costume parade, seen here in 1947. Credit: Indiana Historical Society
A large group of men and boys are gathered for a photograph at the YMCA Halloween party, c. 1925. Some of the boys are dressed in costumes while others appear to be in regular clothing. Credit: Bass Photo Co Collection/Indiana Historical Society
Women in costumes around a stew pot, c. 1910. Credit: Inbody Glass Plate Collection/Indiana Historical Society

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Jennifer Delgadillo is Mirror Indy’s arts and culture editor. You can reach her at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org.

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Local news delivered straight to your inbox

Mirror Indy's free newsletters are your daily dose of community-focused news stories.

By clicking Sign Up, you’re confirming that you agree with our Terms of Use.

Related Articles