It’s not the doors, it’s the entrance.
Check out that arch.
You can maybe see The Mister and I in the door on the right. I snapped this on the fly, and couldn’t even fit the whole thing in the frame without crouching on the sidewalk, and y’all, I am not that committed.
But then when I went to research the building on Historic Indianapolis how I do, I discovered it’s a gem … Finished in 1930, Circle Tower is one of Indianapolis’s finest examples of Art Deco architecture.
And also:
Circle Tower was completed only eight years after archaeologist Howard Carter’s sensational discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922. The intricate bronze screen over the north entry arch reflects the widespread interest in Egyptology at the time. Sculptor Joseph Willenborg filled the bronze grille with hieroglyphic-like images, stylized into the Deco mode.
Obviously I had to go back.
I’m seldom tenacious, but I went to the circle TWICE before I got the shot, cause events. Often the circle will be closed to cars during events. Parking downtown on a weekday and then heading into crowds is not what Joeys do best. Finally a day came when the circle was open and not bustling with people.
(The center of Indianapolis is a circle. It’s called Monument Circle. Inside the circle is the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument.)
I took more than a dozen photos of the tower, just to make up for lost time.
I cannot possibly convey how weird it is that it’s been here my entire life and I’d never actually SEEN it.
I think it was worth it a few trips.
#ThursdayDoors is part of an inspired post series run by Norm Frampton. To see other doors of interest, or to share your own, click the link.
That’s an interesting building. The arch is outstanding, especially with the Egyptian type motif! 🙂
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I’m glad you like it, too 🙂
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Really interesting building, and the arch is cool.
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🙂
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Never would have seen this without your photos. I can see why it fascinated you – pretty cool. I thank you for making the effort to go back.
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Thanks! Once I saw the photos on Historic Indianapolis, I knew I HAD to. 🙂
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What a fantastic building! That’s one of the things I love about Thursday Doors — how it opens our eyes and toggles our Appreciation switch to ON.
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Well said, Marian 🙂
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Beautiful craftsmanship.
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I think so too 🙂
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I love that entrance. When I was first looking at it, I couldn’t figure out was interesting about the shapes over the doors. Egypt – ah, yes, now it makes sense. It is amazing how many buildings I’ve noticed for the first time since doing this door thing. That includes buildings in Hartford I walked past during the 6 years I worked downtown! This one was worth a few trips. Thanks for digging through the history on this one.
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Thank you! I’m glad you understood me. Isn’t it interesting how we don’t see what’s right there? Goodness. We’re always so busy and purposeful. Of course, I don’t know how smart it is to lollygag through city streets, starin up and around…. but maybe on a low traffic day, I should try 😉
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My best friend and I have been trying to schedule a driving/walking tour of Hartford. He says he know a ton of places that I’ve missed, but we never seem to get to it 😦
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Oh! Well I hope you DO get to it, sooner rather than later. 🙂
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Beautiful arch, Joey. Thanks for going back for more and sharing. I’ve seen the soldier monument in photos before, but didn’t realize it was in the middle of the city in a circle. Learned something new today.
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I’m glad I through in that tidbit, then. Thanks! 🙂
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I love seeing Art Deco gems “hidden” around a city. Or in some buildings, too. That entryway is amazeballs. And I like the monument, too. Very interesting sites you got there.
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Thanks 🙂 Hidden in quotes as you put it, is absolutely the right way to phrase it. Hidden in plain sight!
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The entrance – there’s so much to see there! And a very unusual circle tower building. Where we have been, certainly has an effect on us!
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I’m glad you like it too 🙂
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You probably missed it cause you were looking for a circular tower; the bulding appears to look more like a pyramid (now that you mention Egyptian). And that entrance, the arch is terrific and a good piece for Thursday Doors!
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Well no, I think I missed it because I was under it, lol! I’m usually walking or driving with purpose, who knows what else I miss! I’m glad you liked it too 🙂
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Well, keep your eyes on the road or where you’re walking; I don’t think Norm has liability insurance for door bloggers. 😉
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Haha! Will do, thanks! 🙂
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Brilliant shots. Downtown Indy is amazing. The Circle reminds me of so much. Have you walked the Monument?
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Thanks! Yes, it is 🙂
I have been up it. Twice. Both times in the hot. I shall not do a third. lol BUT I tell the girls they need to do it at least once!
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That is some archway, Joey, and what a fabulous building. Well worth being tenacious for. 🙂
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Ah, I’m glad you like it too 🙂
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That building almost looks like a pyramid, doesn’t it?
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Yes, like more the stepped ones, mmhm 🙂
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The arch is gorgeous!
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I think so too 🙂
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Very cool. I want to run my hand along the arch and wonder what it’s like inside the building.
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I might could get inside there — the photos of lobby show a similar style.
The texture is worthy of touch 🙂
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wow! What an entrance . . . . I wonder if the architect managed to photograph it in its entirety?!
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If he did, he didn’t mail me a copy 🙂
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Amazing discoveries. I like the monument, love the tower (I have never seen something like that), but that door is the queen (king?) of doors not just of this week but wider. Look at that! 😮 Well, for the bottom part they could choose something else, but the arch and the little people are just…. Yeah, you can call them Egyptians if you wish, to me they look like an entire apartment house with 50’s-style families. Just glorious! And in your city! 😮
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Yay, you like them too. 🙂
Yeah, at least they made the doors gold to match the panel, hm?
Thanks, Manja!
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Great job in going back to get more shots. That arch is special indeed. The building in terms of footprint and total floor space seems enormous.
You’re not the only one discovering previously “unseen” hometown gems. Thursday Doors has a way of doing that to us…we just start to notice things more.
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I’m in good company, then, Norm 🙂 Thanks!
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I was born and raised in Indiana and all my kids and grandkids still live there and I have never seen these buildings either! I just may have to change all that! Great post as always!
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Well when you get downtown, be sure to have someone else drive, so you can really See 🙂
Thanks!
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Awesome doorway. Truly.
… and that’s not a word I banter around very often since it is so overused inappropriately.
…but I’m still confused by Circle Tower. I was expecting a round tower. To my surprise, it’s built more like a wedding cake. Is it *Circle* Tower because it’s in the circle?
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Yes and no. Many, many things are called Circle here, as we are “The Circle City” — but I do strongly suspect this particular building is named Circle Tower because of its proximity to the circle itself.
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I think you should do a post one day about The Circle City. It sounds like there are stories in there 🙂
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Oh I’m sure, but I wouldn’t know where to begin.
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Wherever your creativity takes you 🙂
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Gorgeous, intricate designs in metal, did you say brass? I am at pool trying to blog but bright sun doesn’t allow brain nor eyes to function, Joey!! I love the fact you included the archaeological details, too. The archeologist’s name. xo Robin
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It’s bronze.
Oh the bright light of day! I hope you’re enjoying it 🙂
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It was wonderful, Joey! My joints like the heat and the relaxation is good for my soul. Those five grandies all were good as gold, happy as larks! Getting close to bedtime so I sound extra corny. 🌽🌽
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😀 Your corny is happy!
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It kind of is happy~ or silly!! 😀
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I heart art deco. I wish it would hurry on up and come back around.
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Mm, mmhm. Same.
I’m gettin pretty tired of mid mod, even though I like it. It’s errrrywhere now, all the time, errrrrywhere.
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Ooh… I love me some interesting architecture. Great find. 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Woooooooooooowwwwww… As many times as I’ve been down there (Merchant’s Bank (I think that was the name) was on the circle), I never noticed it.
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Isn’t that peculiar? I have to say, I almost didn’t believe the historical site. How could I (or you) never have seen it?!?
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