Amazing Indianapolis

Amazing Indianapolis is a fun and fascinating collection of Circle City history, from the city’s first jailbreak in 1821 to its modern-day claims to fame. It features both celebrities and unsung heroes, and it highlights the city’s surprising connections to historical figures such as Thomas Edison, Harry Houdini, and John Wilkes Booth. Amazing Indianapolis also shares the origin stories of sliced bacon, Wonder Bread, Raggedy Ann, and the rearview mirror, among other Indianapolis inventions. In addition, the book profiles the companies and industries the city has lost, from early manufacturers to a beloved modern bakery (and its spectacular downfall). And it discusses chilling tales of true crime alongside the bizarre history of an alleged curse, a legendary hoax, the infamous Irvington School War, and the city’s first recorded exorcism. Why was one group of Indy residents called ＂the worst family in the world＂? Why did Carl Fisher throw a car off a building? Native Hoosier and award-winning author Ashley Petry showcases the city’s greatest hits alongside lesser-known stories that celebrate more than 200 years of Indianapolis history.

Ashley Petry is an Indianapolis native and the award-winning author of three previous books about her hometown: Indianapolis: An Illustrated Timeline; 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die; and Secret Indianapolis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. She has 20 years of experience as a freelance writer specializing in Midwest travel, food and drink, history, and the arts. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and many other publications. Find her at ashleypetry.com.