Advance tickets required.

Indianapolis City Market and Indiana Landmarks stage tours of an unusual site usually hidden from public view. Our guided tour of the Catacombs shows you a Roman-looking expanse of brick arches beneath the outdoor Whistler Plaza of City Market.

The Catacombs qualify as both a ruin and a redevelopment opportunity. They’re what remains of Tomlinson Hall, an imposing building whose main hall seated 3,500 people. Dietrich Bohlen designed the hall in 1886 to complement his earlier work at City Market. He also designed Indiana Landmarks’ Morris-Butler House. Tomlinson Hall burned in January 1958, turning Market Street into an icy lake as firefighters battled the blaze. The city took down the remains later that year. Our Catacombs don’t contain bones or crypts—at least none that we know of—but rather scores of brick barrel-vaulted arches that remain from what was the basement of Tomlinson Hall.

2020 TOUR SCHEDULE

We offer Catacombs tours select Saturdays, July through October 2020. Tours begin at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. on the following dates:

July 11 and 25
August 1 and 15
September 5 and 19
October 3, 17, and 31

The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes and departs from Whistler Plaza, the west plaza of City Market, 202 E. Market Street, Indianapolis. In the event of bad weather, look for the check-in table inside the West Wing rather than on the plaza.

The tour costs $12 per person age 12 and up; $10 per member of Indiana Landmarks; $6 per child (age 6-11); free for children age 5 and under (no strollers).

Tickets must be purchased in advance by visiting catacombs2020.eventbrite.com, or by calling Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534 or [email protected].

Walk-ups without reservations will not be accommodated, and the number of tickets available per time slot will be limited to allow for appropriate social distancing between individuals who have not isolated together.

Please note: City Market Catacombs are an undeveloped historic asset and are not accessible for all guests. The Catacombs feature a very rough, uneven dirt floor. Entering and exiting the tour is only possible via a flight of stairs (with hand rails). The tour is not navigable for guests with walkers, canes, strollers, or wheelchairs. We recommend closed-toed shoes. Alert to people with breathing sensitivities: the Catacombs are a musty, sometimes damp area. Guests are required to sign a waiver of liability to take the Catacombs tour.

As an additional precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all tour participants must wear a face covering over their mouth and nose at all times during a tour. If tourgoers feel ill or suspect they may be experiencing symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, we ask that they not attend a scheduled tour; Indiana Landmarks will refund your reservation or exchange the ticket for a later date.

Please address any questions to [email protected] or 317-639-4534.

**Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects us to our heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, we help people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. Our members receive discounts on events and our bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information, visit www.indianalandmarks.org.**