WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This program originally aired on February 19, 2024:
On today’s edition of Bring It On!, hosts, Clarence Bone and Liz Mitchell, speak with Leon Bates, local Indianapolis historian and former guest of Bring It On!, and Judith Thomas, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement for the City of Indianapolis, about respecting the remains from Greenlawn Cemetery as the land is being developed. In addition, the city is putting together a commission to recommend how best to memorialize the history of Greenlawn once the bridge project is complete.
Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, said they have found city death records for a decade of the late 1800s showing hundreds of Black residents were buried in Greenlawn. City officials say they plan to disturb as little of the site as possible. They have hired an archeologist to examine the ground as construction progresses and look for signs of burials. If remains are found, work in the area will stop and everything will be documented and processed, according to the city.
Diamond Chain bought a portion of the site in 1913 for its manufacturing facility and remains have been discovered there over the years. That portion of the property is now being turned into Eleven Park, the massive mixed-use development that will include Indy Eleven’s new 20,000-seat soccer stadium, and historians expect more remains will be uncovered during the construction. Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, said they have found city death records for a decade of the late 1800s showing hundreds of Black residents were buried in Greenlawn.
Credits:
Today’s hosts are Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell.
Bring It On!’s Executive Producer is Clarence Boone.
The show Consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
Program Engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.
