Taggart Memorial returns to Landmarks' endangered list

The deteriorating Thomas Taggart Memorial in Riverside Park is the only Indianapolis property on this year's 10 Most Endangered list from Indiana Landmarks. The memorial to the former mayor of Indianapolis, U.S. Senator, chairman of the Democratic National Committee and owner of the French Lick Springs Hotel was built two years after his death, in 1931. As mayor, Taggart created the city's park system. "The roof of the Taggart Memorial needs replacement, the stone is falling off, and the fountain doesn't work," the not-for-profit group said of the memorial, which was also on last year's list. "Taggart’s Indianapolis legacy—a parks system available to all citizens of the capital city—deserves the honor of a fountain that works and a graceful, safe colonnade." The group hopes to raise private funds to help restore the memorial. Indiana Landmarks officials say out of 94 historic places that have appeared on the 10 Most Endangered list since 1991, only 11 were lost.

New on this year's list:

• The American House, Centerville
• Harmony Way Bridge, between New Harmony and White County
• Illinois House of Tomorrow, Beverly Shores
• Masonic Temple, Jeffersonville
• Old Clarksville site, Clarksville
• The Pantheon, Vincennes
• T.G. Wilkinson House, Muncie

Repeating from 2011:

• Sylvan Springs, Rome City
• Taggart Memorial, Riverside Park, Indianapolis
• Tyson Auditorium, Versailles

Visit the Indiana Landmarks 10 Most Endangered page for more information on each of the properties. (Photo: Indiana Landmarks)