First National Bank in Blackfords Block, Indianapolis, Indiana, circa 1872

Description:	Stereoview by Charles B. Ingraham of the Blackford Block constructed in 1857-1858 on the southeast corner of East Washington and South Meridian Streets. It was constructed for Isaac Blackford (1786-1859), longtime chief justice of Indianas Supreme Court. It housed the First National Bank, Merrill and Companys Books and Stationery, Ferlings Barber Shop, and several insurance agents. To the east (left) is a Wholesale Drug House, probably owned at this time by Browning and Sloan.The 4th-floor window box was an instrument shelter that housed hygrometers and a thermometer. Indianapolis Meterorological observer Charles F. R. Wappenhans, who lived in a room adjacent to the office, made readings with these and other instruments six times daily and telegraphed the data to the U.S. Signal Corps Weather Service office in Washington D. C.A 5th floor was added to part of the building in 1899 when it was renamed the Big Four Block. Last known as the Postal Telegraph Building, it was demolished in March 1912 to make way for the Merchants Bank Building, later known as the Barnes and Thornburg Building.Printed on the back is Ingraham, 32 1/2 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Ind. Written in the same hand on the back and front is First / 1st National Bank. In another hand is written Mary C__all, Xenia Ohio, 1875 Oct. 1st. Charles Ingraham worked with another photographer, David Claflin, from 1872 to 1874, indicating that this stereoview might have been taken before the partnership.
Origin:	1872, circa
Created By:	Ingraham, Charles B., 1820-1898
Source:	http://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/photo/FB651E59-DF17-4A85-AFFD-390823577881
Collection:	Indiana Album
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Geography:	5 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States 39.766870,-86.157880
Subjects:	Joan Hostetler Collection Business districts Storefronts Banks Weather forecasting Buildings Stereographs Wholesale District (Indianapolis, Ind.) Indianapolis (Ind.) Marion County (Ind.)

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