Monroe, Elizabeth Brand, 1947-Giacomelli, Angela MarieMorgan, Anita A.Robertson, Nancy Marie, 1956-2013-10-072013-10-072012https://hdl.handle.net/1805/3620http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/171Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)During the latter half of the nineteenth and in the early twentieth century, the Indianapolis Wholesale District (IWD) operated as a local and regional commercial hub. Analysis of the IWD’s relationship with the railroad network in Indiana points to a widening of trade, yet regional focus due to transportation restrictions. The growth and subsequent specialization of wholesale trading in the district catered to primarily local and regional audiences. Examining the physical presence of the IWD in downtown Indianapolis uncovers the built environment of a midwestern business district. This research project argues for the local and regional significance of the Indianapolis Wholesale District. Additionally, this thesis demonstrates the need to pursue the overlap in specialization, the morphology of warehouses, and transportation development to understand a business district as part of a larger process of American economic development.en-USIndianapoliswholesaletradedistrictwarehouserailroadspecializationtransportationCentral business districts -- Indiana -- IndianapolisCentral business districts -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- MapsRailroads -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- HistoryWholesale trade -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- 19th centuryWholesale trade -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- 20th centuryWholesale trade -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- MapsWarehouses -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- 19th centuryWarehouses -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- 20th centuryWarehouses -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- MapsManufacturing industries -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- HistoryTransportation -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- History -- 19th centuryTransportation -- Indiana -- Indianapolis -- History -- 20th centuryUnited States -- Economic conditions --1865-1918United States -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1945Thesis