INDIANAPOLIS — Explore the history of Indy’s Near Eastside, from the 1880s to today, on a leisurely guided bike tour hosted by Indiana Landmarks and Pogue’s Run Waterway Committee. Tourgoers will travel on and around the newly completed Pogue’s Run Trail through some of the city’s charming historic neighborhoods, including Cottage Home Historic District and Windsor Park, and bike historic greenways to visit Brookside Park, Spades Park, and Highland Park, key components of George Kessler’s 1909 Park and Boulevard System, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
Covering approximately 6.5 miles by bicycle over 3.5 hours, tour groups will stop along the way for an inside look at significant sites including the 1912 Spades Park branch of The Indianapolis Public Library, one of two Carnegie libraries in Indianapolis still used for their original purpose, and an 1890 private residence design by prominent local architecture firm Vonnegut & Bohn.
The Pogue’s Run Trail is one of the newest trails in the extensive trail system throughout Indianapolis. The path between Keystone and Rural is embedded with glow-in-the-dark materials, which is a tribute to the Marietta Glass Works factory that used to be at 16th and Sherman.
This outdoor bike tour departs from Fletcher Park, 1429 E Brookside Ave, Indianapolis, and requires an intermediate or moderate biking skill level to navigate some street riding and incline along the route. Indianapolis. Tourgoers should bring their own bicycles and safety equipment to participate. Downtown area bike rentals are available through Pacers Indiana Bikeshare. The closest docking station is located at 1205 Brookside Ave.
The tour will take place Saturday, July 21. (3.5-hour tours leave every 15 minutes from 10 to 11:30 a.m.) Tickets are $35/general public (ages 16 and up); $30/Indiana Landmarks member (ages 16 and up). Tickets must be bought in advance online at poguesrunbiketour2024.eventbrite.com or by calling 317-639-4534.
