Indianapolis in the '80s (2024)

Kennty Johnson and Carole Turner danced their way to an all-expense paid trip to syndicated TV show “Dance Fever” at Picadilly night club in 1981.

The Hoosier Dome stadium is seen under construction in this December 1982 file photo.

Casting a teasing glance at his royal subjects, Prince pauses during his April 1985 performance at Market Square Arena.

Van Halen's David Lee Roth in Indianapolis July 9, 1984

Gary native Michael Jackson belts out a note as he performs for two hours at a Market Square Arena concert on March 18 1988. It was the first of two sold-out MSA concerts during his Bad world tour.

Chuck Berry performed a 75 minute concert following an Indiana Pacers game at Market Square Arena April 8, 1985.

U2 lead singer Bono peels off his jacket during the band's Nov. 1, 1987 concert in the Hoosier Dome.

Kiss bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Eric Carr performed at Market Square Arena on Feb. 24, 1983.

Henry Lee Summer performs during a concert at the Convention Center, in 1986.

Rolling Stones perform "Harlem Shuffle" during their Steel Wheels tour that rocked the Hoosier Dome in 1989.

A crowd of 10,500 fans showed up at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis on Thursday, Sept. 18, 1986 for the Monkees' 20th anniversary reunion tour concert. The event, exactly 20 year and eight days after the group's first single, "Last Train to Clarksville," appeared on the Billboard charts, drew three generations of Monkees fans.

Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold during their foray into television in 1985 on WXIN Channel 59.

Leigha Hudson blows bubbles at the entrance of Locomotions as dancers perform at Union Station on April 23, 1987, one year after it reopened as a festival marketplace. During its first year, attendance neared 15 million people. Of the 87 storefront tenants in operation at grand opening time, 83 were still in business. Revenues topped $50 million.

Waitresses in cheerleader outfits join customers in dancing to a nostalgic beat at Sha-Boom’s in 1985.

Dancing at the Picadilly night club in the Eagledale Shopping Center in 1981.

Keystone Kop Larry J. Waller Sr. directs first-day patrons to an eatery in crowded Union Station. April 26, 1986

On summer nights in the 1980s, the Indianapolis Tennis Center hosted musicians ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Billy Idol.

A picture of the Deer Creek Music Center around the time it first opened, in May 1989.

Matthew Mitchell, 7 of Bloomington, shakes hands with Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) during the 1986 World of Wheels Auto Show at the Indiana Convention Center.

Breakdancing made the great leap from underground art form to pop culture in 1983 after being confined mostly to street corners in black and Hispanic neighborhoods of New York City for several years. By March 16, 1984, when these youngsters practiced their moves near the intersection of 41st Street and Rookwood Avenue, the breakdancing rage had arrived inIndianapolis.

WENS Lite Rock 97FM morning team, left to right: John Cinnamon, Audrey Rochelle, Jerry Curtis and Key Feeney.

In this 1985 photo, weather forecaster Stan Wood gestures toward a map of the United States painted on "Stan's Weather Van," an innovation of WISH-8 coverage.

Barbara Boyd joined joined WFBM (WRTV) in 1969 as one of the few women in television and as the first African American on air in Indiana. Boyd had a 25 year career at the station’s consumer affairs reporter.

This 1981 photo shows WISH-8 news anchor Debby Knox was hired by WISH in 1980. Although she retired in 2013, Knox returned to Indianapolis TV in 2015 as a member of the new WTTV-4 news team.

This 1984 photo shows WISH-8 weather staffers, from left, Stan Wood, Patty Spitler, Randy Ollis and Ron Magnuson.

Downtown Indianapolis skyline in 1982.

The Ben Davis Giants on the 63rd annual Marion County basketball championship Jan. 30, 1982. Front row from left to right: Mike Massing, Jerry Phair, Kayle Funkhouser, Tom Downard, Eric Evans, Eddie Tom Bopp and manager David Wallace. Back row: Athletic Director Marion Fine, Assistant Coach Steve Witte,Coach Gayle Towles, Ken Harris, jim Sarkine, Brent Ayer, Brad Dickinson, Billy Hay, junior varsity Coach Fred Boger and Mike Marlett.

The Indianapolis Checkers celebrate a Central Hockey League title on May 15, 1982 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. Frank Beaton, Kevin Devine and Red Laurence take a victory lap with the Adams Cup after a 5-1 win over Dallas.

11/24/1984 -- Warren Central's Yogi Henderson waves a banner after winning the Indiana State High Football state championship.

Magic Johnson shoots over Larry Bird in the NBA All-Star game at Market Square Arena, Feb. 9, 1985.

Aerial photo taken of the Hoosier Dome construction in 1982 shows the Convention Center to the north.

Mayor William Hudnut holds up the Blue Streak edition of The News confirming the move of the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis. March 29, 1984

3/30/1984 -- Indianapolis Mayor William 'Bill' Hudnut poses by Mayflower moving vans filled with Indianapolis Colts possessions that just arrived from Baltimore at Fall Creek Elementary School, site of the the temporary facility on Friday, March, 1984. Staff photo.

Houston Oiler Sean Jones (left) gets a grip on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gary Hogeboom as he tries to hand off to running back Eric Dickerson. The Oilers went on to hand the Colts a 17-14 overtme loss in their regular-season football opener before 57,251 fans in the Hoosier Dome. Sept. 4, 1988.

Indianapolis Colts coach Rod Dowhower (left) had an intense discussion with starting quarterback Mike Pagel (right) as Dowhower outlined offensive strategy and Art Schlichter listened in. It was to no avail, however, as the Colts lost to the Dolphins 30-13 at Miami on Sept. 15, 1985.

Would-be Colts cheerleaders await their turns and watch as others try out in Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse Saturday June 2, 1984. Some 800 young women turned out to fill 32 slots.

1985 Indianapolis 500, Danny Sullivan, who passed leader Mario Andretti, spins and then wins the 500 mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Johnny Rutherford holds up three fingers to indicate his third Indy 500 win on May 25, 1980.

May 27, 1984--The field of 33 cars head into turn one. Car #6 in lead driven by Rick Mears and car #1 behind him is driven by pole sitter Tom Sneva.

Linda Vaughn, best known as Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, rides in the pre-race parade at the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,May 27, 1980.

Nothing says the '80s like partying in the Snake Pit at the Indianapolis 500.

RACE DAY RAINOUT--Snake pit fans in the mud in the 80s.

Baseball fans in Indianapolis might remember Randy Johnson best as a fiery minor leaguer with the Indianapolis Indians in 1988 and 1989. The 6-foot, 10-inch Johnson, professional baseball's tallest player ever, pitched 23 games for the Tribe, notching nine wins and eight losses.

Indianapolis Indians player Razor Shines signs autographs for students in 1987.

Opening ceremonies of the 10th Pan American Games held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August 1987.

Lighting the flame at the National Sports Festival in Indianapolis July 26, 1982.

Opening Ceremony for the National Sports Festival on the American Legion Mall July 26, 1982.

Track during the Pan Am Games in Indianapolis.

Greg Louganis, earned gold in the 3 meter springboard and 10 meter platform in the 1987 Pan Am Games in Indianapolis.

Carl Lewis earned gold medals in long jump and the 4x100 meter relay at the 1987 Pan Am Games in Indianapolis.

6/23/1987 -- New Pacer Reggie Miller spins a basketball on his finger after being introduced to the media at Market Square Arena after being drafted by the Indiana Pacers.

Rik Smits, the Indiana Pacers 7-4" number 1 draft pick during a news conference on June 29, 1988.

Wayman Tisdale, the Indiana Pacers' number one draft choice, holds up his Pacer jersey after he signed his contract with the team in Indianapolis, Oct. 10, 1985. The Oklahoma University all-American signed a four-year contract with the Pacers after weeks of negotiations.

Indiana Pacer head coach Jack Ramsay huddles with his team in Market Square Arena Wednesday, April 30, 1987. The Pacers outscored the Atlanta Hawks 96-87 to win their first playoff game in the best-of-five Eastern Conference playoff series.

Pacers forward Clark Kellogg sweeps under 76ers' Bobby Jones and on to the hoop, Nov. 21, 1984.

The Lawrence North Wildcats take a victory ride after winning the 1989 boys basketball State Championship.

Southport's bench explodes in unrestrained delight after they won the 1980 Indiana girls state high school championship 67-63 overtime victory over Columbus East at Market Square Arena.

Photo of construction of the American United Life building (One America Tower) taken Nov. 10, 1980 from the Indiana Bell Telephone Co.(AT&T) roof.

A group of auto enthusiasts in Indianapolis for an auto show, turned 21st Street and Shadeland Avenue into a drag strip on a Friday night, drawing 1,500 spectators and dozens of law enforcement personnel. People were in town for the fifth annual Street Machine Nationals at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in June 1980.

On Aug. 21, 1981, in Indianapolis, King Edward Bell shot to death his children -- Berkina Mishell, Bertina LaShell, King Edward II and Kingston Edmond III -- then killed his estranged wife, Bertha, and her mother, Mary Alice Kirby. The Indianapolis resident pleaded guilty but mentally ill and committed suicide in prison in July 1987.

Stephen Judy presented an insanity defense in his trail for the murder of Terry Chasteen, whose body was found in White Lick Creek in Morgan County, and the murder of her three small children, ages 2, 4 and 5. Judy, convicted of raping and killing Chasteen, was sentenced to death in February 1980. Judy bypassed the appeals route and took the electric chair in March, 1981, at age 22.

Mrs. Rubin Fields opens car door for Gertrude Baniszewski who was released from prison, Dec. 4, 1985. Baniszewski was serving an 18 year sentence in connection with the death of Sylvia Likens. Baniszewski had appealed her original sentence of life without parole.

Larry W. Eyler, dubbed ÒThe Highway Killer,Ó was linked to the deaths of 23 young men in the late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly in Illinois and Indiana. He was convicted in 1986 in Illinois for one of those murders and sentenced to death; he also received a 60-year sentence for and Indiana murder. However, he died in 1994 in prison of complications related to AIDS.

An aerial shot of the destruction caused when an Air Force A-7D-4-CV Corsair II, piloted by Major Bruce L. Teagarden crashed into the Ramada Inn near the Indianapolis airport on Oct. 20, 1987. Ten persons, most of them hotel employees lost their lives.

Anderson White gives direction to the Indianapolis Public Schools' All City Jazz Ensemble July 8, 1983 during concert in the American Legion Mall. The concert was part of the Indiana Black Expo.

Despite a two-year battle to save Indianapolis' historic Tee Pee drive-in restaurant, demolition work started on June 21, 1988. Historic preservationists led a futile battle to keep the 48-year-old building on the southeast corner of the State Fairgrounds from being torn down. The distinctively designed restaurant was built in 1939, replacing the Wigwam, built seven years earlier by A. R. McComb. It was especially popular with teens during the 1950s and 1960s.

Dan Bailey (left), Ron Graphman and Willie Chaney in front of Al Green's famous food restaurant on March 29, 1983. The three are members of Midwest Deuces for car owners of vintage Chevy's of the 1960s.

James Mason, 19 (left) and other members of "Paradise Express" dance during the 1987 Indiana Black Expo Soul Picnic at Washington Park.

The Indianapolis Stars dance troupe performs at the 1988 Indianapolis Black Expo opening ceremony.

Renovation at the south end of Glendale Mall. September 14, 1982

Homer Smith (left) and Dr. A.D. Pinkney were active members and officers in the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Smith served as first vice president and Dr. Pinckney as president. Here they stand outside the NAACP offices in January 1981.

The movie Hoosiers being filmed in the old St. Philip Neri gym, Nov. 30, 1985.

Roles as extras in the movie "Hoosiers" didn't lead to glamorous film careers for 10-year-old Heather Smith (left) and her sister, Holly, 15, but they were starstruck with excitement when Hollywood came to Hoosierland in the late '80s. The girls, daughters of Mick and Teri Smith of Indianapolis, jumped at the chance to take part in the movie, filmed at several locations around Indiana, including Hinkle Fieldhouse, where the girls showed up for four or five nights of shooting. Costumes and props make up the magic of movies, and "Hoosiers," based upon the 1954 Milan Indians that won the high school state championship, used clothing to recreate the bobbysox era of the 1950s. After picking out shoes to wear for a scene to be shot onWednesday, Dec. 4, 1985, the girls took seats amidst hundreds of others in the bleachers. Only 1,000 people showed up as extras, out of an anticipated 15,000.

In this Aug. 3, 1984 file photo, Suzanne and Sidney Gaither celebrate the first birthday of their quintuplets at the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis, Ind. The five Gaither siblings, whose 1983 births made the news and the history books, turned 25 Sunday without the TV news crews that chronicled their earlier years. Ashlee, Renee, Rhealyn, Brandon and Joshua became the first surviving black quintuplets when they were born Aug. 3, 1983.

Aerial photo of the Indianapolis Zoo under construction in downtown Indianapolis on May 4, 1988. It opened on June 11, 1988.

A night view of the Indianapolis Zoo in 1989.

Nothing beats the summer heat like cool treat from the ice cream man like this 1986 photo. The jingle of the music always had kids begging for money for a Bomb Pop, Drumstick or a Dreamsicle.

Jim Milborn (left), 19, and Todd Spohn, 17, plunged into the cool deep water from the high dive tower at Sahm Park near Castleton on July 7, 1981.

Children and adults enjoying the giant water slide, a major attraction of Boogie Mountain, a water park located near the intersection of 21st Street and Shadeland Avenue on Indianapolis' Eastside.

You know you wore leg warmers in the ‘80s. Gwen Hamm gets her jazz dance class cooking in 1987.

80s big hair required one thing - a banana comb.

The 500 block of Indiana Avenue in 1982 shows many buildings boarded up.

Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph had a passion for motivating children. She came to Indianapolis in 1982 for a summer athletics program, then established the Wilma Rudolph Foundation. On July 22, 1986, Rudolph talked with these youngsters at the Outdoor Track Development Program. The following year she was named director of DePauw University's women's track program and special consultant to the president on minority affairs. She moved back to Tennessee, her childhood home in 1992. The died from a brain tumor in November 1994.

Frogs emerge from a van they named the ÒToad HaulÓ that transported them to appearances during the National Sports Festival in Indianapolis in July 1982. Merchants Bank, one of five local underwriters for the Festival, hired gymnastic frogs to appear in their television commercials advertising the event. The costumed gymnasts did such things as ride horses, pole vault, jump from trampolines and catch a baseball, all the time wearing clunky shoes and a heavily padded frog head.

Alison Roman poses next to a computer monitor in a picture that appeared on the cover of The Star magazine on May 9, 1982 in the early years of personal computers. The caption stated that "It is estimated that by 1985, personal computers will be so commonplace in homes, even mothers will be using them ( Shown is a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III Microcomputer.

This group of Indianapolis residents celebrated the 52nd birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15, 1981 by staging a run from north of 38th Street south on Meridian Street to Monument Circle and back to the starting point. Wearing signs that read, "He Walked Miles For Us, We Run Miles For Him," and "In Support MLK Holiday," the men were among a growing tide of support to honor Dr. King with a holiday, an effort that began four days after his assassination in 1968. Finally, two years after this photo was taken, Congress passed, and President Ronald Reagan signed into law, legislation in 1983 that commemorates Dr. King's birthday as a holiday. The first observance of the federal MLK Day holiday was in 1986.

The Irving Theatre re-opened briefly as a family theatre known as Zenon in 1982.

The corner of Massachusetts and Alabama in 1982.

The audience attending the first non-public performance in the newly renovated Circle Theatre mill about on the mezzanine and first floor during intermission on Oct. 4, 1984.

No pool? No problem - not when you've got a hose and a sprinkler. These kids from Arcadia beat the heat in the summer of 1987.

Crowds flocked to the Indianapolis Museum of Art for the 1985 Penrod Art Fair.

Tis but a flesh wound: Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism recreate medieval tournament fighting during the Renaissance Fair at Old Indiana Fun Park near Thorntown in 1989.

Fear and excitement register on the faces of these young visitors to the Indiana State fair in 1980. From left are Lori Burgan, Tresa Boucher, Robin Nestleroad, Rhonda Sherron and Tracy Castillo all of Marion.

Mayor William Hudnut (left) joins former basketball star Oscar Robertson at a groundbreaking March 28, 1989 at 27th Street and Rural for a venture between the city and Oscar Robertson and Associates.

Participants in the 1980 WNAP Raft Race round the bend on the way to the finish line.

Richard's Market Basket at 3071 E. 38th St. in 1989.

Preston-Safeway at 30th and Kessler Boulevard in 1989.

Aerial view from the Lifeline helicopter shows the Methodist Hospital complex in 1980.