page_title: Timeline of Indianapolis
section_title: 1800s–1840s
hierarchical_section_title: Timeline of Indianapolis / 19th century / 1800s–1840s
caption_attribution_description: English: Plat of the Town of Indianapolis, published in December 1821
context_page_description: The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
context_section_description: 1816
  The U.S. Congress authorizes a state government for Indiana and donates federal land to establish a permanent seat of government for the new state.
  1818
  Under the terms of the Treaty of St. Mary's, the Delaware Nation cede their lands in Indiana to the U.S. government and agree to leave central Indiana by 1821.
  1820
  On January 11 the Indiana General Assembly authorizes a selection committee to choose a permanent site for the new state capital. On June 7 the commissioners select four sections of land along west fork of the White River, on its eastern bank, two miles (3.2 km) northwest of the Indiana's geographic center.
  1821
  On January 6 the Indiana General Assembly ratifies the site selection on the White River in central Indiana as the permanent state capital of Indiana and names it Indianapolis, the state's new seat of government.
  Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham are appointed to survey the site selected for the new state capital.
  The town's first two justices of the peace are appointed on January 9.
  Several hundred cases of illness and twenty-five fatalities, most of them children, are reported in Indianapolis after heavy rains fall during June, July, and August.
  The town's first property lots are offered for sale on October 8.
  Local residents erect the town's first log schoolhouse; however, the town's first permanent school is not established until 1824.
  A town cemetery is established near the White River. The site is renamed Greenlawn Cemetery in 1862.
  Marion County, Indiana, is established on December 31, 1821, with Indianapolis named as the county's seat of government.
  Issac Wilson builds a gristmill, a predecessor to the Acme-Evans Company, along the White River. Archer Daniels Midland acquires the company in 1988, and changes its name to the Acme-Evans/ADM Milling Company. Its downtown buildings are demolished in 1994, after the company moves to the city's south side.
  1822
  Indianapolis Gazette, the city's first newspaper, begins publication.
  Indianapolis's first postmaster is appointed.
  The first election of Marion County government officials is held.
  The state legislature appropriates funds to build state roads to Indianapolis, while the Marion County government begins construction of county roads.
  The first session of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Marion County is held in a local resident's log home.
  A militia is organized in central Indiana.
  The town's first jail is built.
  Methodists organize their first Indianapolis congregation. They meet for worship services in a log structure until their new church is erected in 1829. Wesley Chapel is built in 1846. The congregation's Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1871, is destroyed by fire in 1904; its replacement is built at Meridian and Saint Clair streets. The congregation merges with the Fifty-first Street Methodist Church in 1945, and the combined congregation erects Meridian Street Methodist Church, which opens in 1952.
  Baptists organize the city's first Baptist congregation on October 10. The group first meets in a log schoolhouse. The First Baptist Church is completed in 1831. Two replacement churches are destroyed by fire, one in 1861 and the other in 1904. Their replacement, built at Meridian and Vermont streets, is dedicated in 1906; it is vacated in 1960 and a new church is constructed at North College Avenue and 86th Street.
  1823
  The Western Censor and Emigrant's Guide begins publication. Its name is changed to the Indiana Journal in 1825. It becomes a permanent daily newspaper and is renamed the Indianapolis Daily Journal in 1854. The Journal merges with The Indianapolis Star on June 8, 1904.
  The Indiana Central Medical Society is formed to license physicians to practice medicine.
  The town's first theatrical performance takes place at a local tavern.
  Presbyterians establish Indianapolis's First Presbyterian Church congregation on July 23. Its first church is completed in 1824. The congregation merges with the Meridian Highlands Presbyterian Church in 1970, establishing the First-Meridian Highland Church congregat
caption: Plat of the Town of Indianapolis from December 1821
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