Wanamaker, Indiana

Wanamaker, Indiana "New Bethel"
Wanamaker, Indiana Location of Wanamaker in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 39°42′16″N 86°00′35″W
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Marion
City	Indianapolis
Founded	1834
Named for	John Wanamaker
Government
• Senate	Patricia Miller (R)
• House	Michael Murphy (R)
Elevation	840 ft (260 m)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	46239
Area code(s)	317
GNIS feature ID	440019

Wanamaker, Indiana, is a community of Indianapolis located in southeast Marion County, Indiana. Wanamaker is situated nine miles (14.5 km) southeast of downtown Indianapolis in northern Franklin Township. The community is concentrated near the intersection of Southeastern Avenue and Northeastern Avenue.

History

The town was founded under the name New Bethel in 1834 and was platted from farmland that belonged to Mary Adams. The community later changed its name to Wanamaker for John Wanamaker, who was the 35th United States Postmaster General. He was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison in 1889. There is some knowledge of the Wanamaker family living for a short time in Indiana but they returned to Philadelphia.

Public schools

Franklin Township Community School Corporation schools serve the Wanamaker area. Depending on a student's grade, a student in the immediate community would attend either Acton Elementary School or Wanamaker Elementary School, Kitley Intermediate School, Franklin Township Middle School East, or Franklin Central High School.

Public services

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Indiana State Police provide law enforcement for the community.

The Franklin Township Fire Department (specifically Station 51 located in Wanamaker) serves the Wanamaker area. The station was formed under the name the Wanamaker Fire Department in 1947.

The United States Post Office Wanamaker Branch provides local postal services.

Churches

• The Bible Church
• Franklin Central Christian Church
• Maple Hill United Methodist Church
• New Bethel Baptist Church
• Wanamaker Church of Christ
• Nativity Catholic Church

Businesses

Wanamaker has several local businesses, mostly located along Southeastern Avenue.

• Art Classes: MyArt Studio and Art Center
• Automotive Sales & Service: Indy Cylinder Head Inc., Logan's Service, Ray Skillman Chevrolet, Wanamaker Auto & Detail Shop LLC, Watsons Collision Center
• Banking: Chase Investment Services
• Banquet Facility: Winds of Wanamaker
• Barber Shops: Mac's the Hair Place [1]
• Carpet & Flooring: Wanamaker Floor Covering
• Childcare: Heaven to Eleven, Inc.
• Drug Stores: Dollar General, CVS/pharmacy
• Dry Cleaners: Mascari Cleaners, Inc.
• Flower & Gift Shops: Nan's Hands, Wanamker Flower Shoppe
• Feed & Pet Supplies: Wanamaker Feed & Seed Co.
• Insurance: Doug Hiner, State Farm Insurance
• Legal Services: David A. Retherford, Attorney At Law
• Restaurants: New Bethel Ordinary, Wheatley's Inc.(Friday Fish Fry), Randy's Pizza, Brewskies Pub & Eatery, The Gold Mine, Circle City Pizza, Wendy's, McDonald's, Subway onemore lounge.
• Salons & Spas: Avanti Hair & Fashion Designs, Exclusives Salon & Day Spa, Focus Therapeutic Message, Silhouttes Family Hair Designs & Tanning
• Storage: Wanamaker Self Storage
• Veterinarian: Wanamaker Animal Hospital

Local media

The Franklin Township Informer is a publication of the Franklin Township Civic League. Its headquarters is located in Wanamaker.

Highway

• Interstate 74 to Indianapolis (West) and Shelbyville (East)

Festivals

Old Settler's Day

For over 30 years community service organizations have been hosting Old Settler's Day, a street fair, in downtown Wanamaker. Wanamaker's main thoroughfare, Southeastern Avenue, is closed for the event from Northeastern Avenue to McGaughey Road. Booth vendors set up the length of the avenue and sell concessions and unique products. The Classic Car Show is held in conjunction with Old Settler's Day, rain or shine. Trophies are awarded to the top three in each official car class, and special awards are presented for various achievements. The festivities are concluded by a large firework show at Franklin Central High School. All the money for the firework show is donated via the community.

Famous people from Wanamaker

Otis Gibbs, singer-songwriter

External links

• Franklin Township Historical Society
• Franklin Township Civic League
• Wanamaker Elementary
• The Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce
• Nativity Catholic School
• Franklin Township Fire Department Website
• Mac's the Hair Place Barber shop Website
• Otis Gibbs Website