INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 5, 2021) – Step into Indianapolis’ past – and one of its city’s quirkiest places to enjoy an adult beverage – as Indiana Landmarks takes visitors underground to tour the City Market Catacombs.

The remains of a building that once stood on the City Market site, the Roman-looking expanse of brick arches has long been the source of rumor and legend in Indianapolis but has only recently and occasionally been made available for public view.

Thanks to Indiana Landmarks and Indianapolis City Market, visitors can explore the Catacombs in a series of 45-minutes tours on select Thursdays in August, September and October. Tours begin on the mezzanine level of City Market, near the Tomlinson Tap Room, where participants are welcome to purchase a beverage before making the descent into the brick ruins.

The tours will include the stories of two historic buildings, City Market and Tomlinson Hall (1886), an imposing structure that burned in January 1958, turning Market Street into an icy lake as firefighters battled the blaze. Later that year, the city demolished the remains of the building, leaving only an arch that still can be seen today on the plaza outside City Market.

Tours of the Catacombs will run every 30 minutes beginning at 4:45 p.m. on Aug. 12 and 26, Sept. 9 and 23 and Oct. 7 and 21, with the final tour departing each day at 7:15.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, and the cost is $15 for the general public and $12 for Indiana Landmarks members. Participants must be age 21 or older. Buy tickets at catacombsafterhours2021.eventbrite.com, or by contacting Indiana Landmarks at 317-639-4534 or reservations@indianalandmarks.org

City Market Catacombs After Hours Tour

WHAT:      City Market After Hours Catacombs Tour

DATE:       Aug. 12 and 26; Sept. 9 and 23; Oct. 7 and 21

TIME:        Tours run every 30 minutes beginning at 4:45 p.m., with the last tour departing at 7:15 p.m.

WHERE:    Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St., Indianapolis (tours depart near Tomlinson Tap Room)

COST:        $15 for the general public; $12 for Indiana Landmarks members

TICKETS: Tickets must be purchased in advance at catacombsafterhours2021.eventbrite.com, or by contacting Indiana Landmarks at 317-639-4534 or reservations@indianalandmarks.org

INFO:        indianalandmarks.org

About Indiana Landmarks

Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to our heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.

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Media contacts:

Mindi Woolman, Director of Marketing and Communications, Indiana Landmarks, office 317-639-4534, cell 317-417-1204, mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org

Kasey Zronek, Director of Volunteers and Heritage Experiences, Indiana Landmarks, office 317-639-4534, cell 574-952-9027, kzronek@indianalandmarks.org.