23. The WORLD WAR MEMORIAL PLAZA, occupying five city blocks between Meridian and Pennsylvania Sts. and New York and St. Clair Sts., was erected in honor of Indiana's participants in the World War, and as a memorial to those of Indiana who died in the service.
Memorial Hall (open 10-5 daily; guides_, north of University Park, is a magnificent structure faced with Indiana limestone, with granite steps and walks. The base, 230 feet wide and 400 feet long, consists of a ground-level floor, the basement provindg sapce for a museum and auditorium. Forty feet above the street level is a posium entirely surrounding the tower. On this level is the cornerstone laid by General John J. Pershing, July 4, 1927. Between the tower windows on the four sides are six huge columns, surmounted by heroic stone figures representing Courage, Memory, Peace, Victory, Liberty and Patriotism. Approaches are made by two grand stairways that form entrances on the north and south sides. On a granite base in the center of the south stairway stands the largest sculpural bronze casting ever made in America - Hery Hering's Pro Patria.
The Vestibule, Michigan St. side, is entered through huge bronze doors, over which are shields of the United States Army and Navy. Floors are white marble, walls are travertine and Brescia marble. Side wall lighting fixtures are in cup form set in vertical alignment vestibule opens into the Grand Foyer Hall, on both sides of which are neoclassic Ionic columns of verd antique marble.
The Altar Room, occupying the top floor of Memorial Hall, is entered from the Grand Foyer by two white marble stairways marked by Roman arched entrances. Framed on the stair walls and corridors in the World War. The shrine, 115 feet from floor to apex, with impressive white and blue lighting, forms an appropriate settings for the large American flag that hangs from the vaulted space. Over all shines the crystal 'Star of Destiny,' symbolizing guidance of the future welfare of the Nation. The altar to the flag is composed of 17 kinds of marble. The top of the altar is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, executed in colored enamels and resembling a blanket of precious stones. It embraces the American Golden Eagle, Shield of the United States, Wreath of Memory, Palms of Victory, and a broad golden ribbon on which is inscribed, in letters of blood red, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Around the four walls is a 17-foot marble wainscot and 16 large columns of St. Alban marble in dark red hues. Between the corner pilasters and columns are groups of flags of the allied nations. On the east and west sides are niches framing portraits of the officers in command of the Allied Army. An allegorical, molded frieze above the wainscot depicts America joining the Allies and portrays the great struggle of mankind for ultimate peace.
The auditorium, seating 600, can be entered from the Grand Foyer Hall. It is octagonal in form with a domed ceiling finished in polychrome shades.
--- Indiana: A Guide to the Hoosier State, 1941
As much as time changes things, this has remained pretty much the same from the time of writing. The building is an well crafted piece of art that everyone should visit.
The biggest change occurred only a matter of months after the publishing of the book, the beginning of World War II. The memorial is dedicated to both wars and in the inside of the memorial lists the names of the fallen servicemembers from both wars.
Also not mentioned in the writing is the state of completion of the memorial building and museum. At the time of writing, the museum was not operational, where as today the museum walks patrons through the past 100 years of war. Furthermore, the landscaping was not completed until 1965.
In all, all improvements made to the memorial have been for the better.