I’ve taken you to Monument Circle many times, but maybe some of you weren’t aboard then, so lemme tell ya, Monument Circle is the center of the city, The Circle City, Indianapolis. It’s a real circle, with a monument to soldiers and sailors in the center. We’re big into patriotic monuments here. I’ve read a few times that we’re only second to Washington D.C. in terms of patriotic monuments.
We’re a decidedly landlocked state, but in addition to Army, Air Force, and National Guard, we managed to have a naval base, a Coast Guard base, and a Marine Corp armory. We may have more, I’m no expert, but if you’ve ever served, I can tell you Indianapolis is crucial, because here in my community is Fort Benjamin Harrison and on Fort Benjamin Harrison is DFAS and DFAS (that’s dee-fass) is where military paychecks come from. Here, they call it The Fort and The Finance Center. I dunno why, they just do. In the 90s they were all, “Well, it looks like the south will not rise again, so why don’t we go ahead and open up this fort and turn it into a groovy place where we can have a mini community with civilian businesses and housing, which will boost the fuck out of our revenue, but maybe let’s keep The Finance Center” and everyone was okay with that because The Finance Center is roughly the size of Pluto, and everyone likes sidewalks to ice cream and donuts. On The Fort.
So you’re clear on the prominence of these sorta things in Indy now, yeah?
Okay, you’re ready.
I really should tell you a few more things. One, when you are young, you race other young people to the top on hot summer days and then you get older and you do it again because you were too young to remember that it was absolutely sweltering and stifling and the stairs seemed to never end and then you get a little older still and remember that and pay a dollar to take the elevator to the top until eventually you get old enough that you’re like, “Nah, I’m good, thanks.”
And two, if you’re old enough, you may remember ice skating at the bottom and if you are young, you’re very tired of your parents telling you how you usta could ice skate at the bottom. There’s no app for that.
Okay, now you’re ready.
Here we go.
They light the tree in a celebration called Circle of Lights the Friday after Thanksgiving. I went to that once. In 1996. On a date. My date knew a guy and we had a good view without the crowd. That’s how you should do it if you’re not into en masse celebrations.
I like to go late on the Saturday night after Thanksgiving, when the events are done and I have decorated my tree. This day is a holiday to me.
Here’s one with humans to help you with the scale.
And me, also human, and truly happy.
I love twinkly lights.
View of The Statehouse. (Hoosiers love The. We give article The to everything.)
Wanna see another side?
Reflections of twinkly lights!
And check out the lamps, y’all.
Wow, right?
I know.
It’s a tradition.
#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 and find the frog.
joeyfullystated 
I didn’t know that bit of patriotic trivia about Indianapolis. I like your photos of the lights, and that gate [door?] on the gift shop observation tower is cool.
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Very nice! I always marvel at how large places like this manage to keep all their lights burning in unison. No matter what I light outside, half of it burns out. Every damned year. A glowing reindeer ass does not scream Christmas. It really doesn’t…
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No it doesn’t. That’s a damn shame!
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I so love downtown lights! This is beautiful, Joey. No wonder you love it.
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Beautiful post and a wonderful essay on the post. Fun and accurate. Remind me sometime to tell you about my encounter with the Fort MPs in 67. Have you ever eaten at the top of the Hyatt? Revolving dinner is pretty cool.
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Yes, I have. Long ago. Is that still around? I don’t think I could do it now.
I will remind you of the 67 story tomorrow!
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I took my Dad there for his birthday long ago and I see Eagle’s Nest on their wee it is still around.
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:O I had no idea!
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Amazing and beautiful lights! That tower is huge! 🙂
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Most festive post so far this season. All others will be judged against this, and since all others won’t have you, they lose.
I love it when they string lights from tall things. I also love it when people get inside and take pictures from all angles – thanks!
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That is SO sweet, thanks!
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Gives me chills looking at it and I’ll bet I’d cry at the ceremony when they light the lights. I’m kinda sappy like that. Thanks for sharing such a cool thing!
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I’m kinda sappy like that, too. 🙂 I’m so glad you like it!
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You packed a lot in here! I’m not sure which I liked more – the iron grill door, the lights, the monument, or the kickass history lesson about The Fort 🙂
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Oh good, thank you!
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Thanks for filling us in on the history, Joey. It’s a beautiful tower and those lights really show it off. I would paying the dollar for the view if I was there, lol.
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Excellent choice 🙂
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Cool. I do love that stuff. And yes I am personally and closely acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. DFAS. Please take good care of them.
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Of course!
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Such a beautiful monument. I like your half faced selfie!
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Thank you!
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Nice looking place.
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Bravo! Beautiful piece. Thank you.
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Fun festive post. So this is gonna be one of the first places I visit if I ever make it to your fair city. And yeah, I’d be one of the ones taking the elevator 😉
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Well you HAVE to, at least once 🙂 Glad you like it!
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Doors, holidays, lights, camera, and patriotism – you grabbed it all. 🙂
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I love those lights at Monument Circle!! They make me wanna brave the cold someday to see them. 🙂
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I hope you will 🙂
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I love The Monument on The Circle. I’ve never seen it all lit up–that’s aMAZing! Great curly grate-door, too. “Great curly grate-door” sounds like a cooked-up imprecation from an early DC comic or something. ANYWAY, thanks for the tour!
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My pleasure! I hope one day your travels bring you up at just the right time to catch it 🙂
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The Saturday after Thanksgiving. We’ll have to arrange a book event that weekend. lol
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This was a wow post – enjoyed the lights and that sliver of a selfie
and had no idea if the patriotic monuments there.
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All those lights! I love it!
“The South will not rise again” made me giggle. I’ve heard that said within the past year here, but without the “not.” C’mon, y’all.
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