Indiana Historical Bureau marker of Isaac Blackford at Indiana University Indianapolis

On Indiana University Indianapolis’ campus, on the Northeast Corner of Vermont and Blackford Street, there is an Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB) marker for Isaac Blackford. The longest-serving Supreme Court Justice in Indiana’s history, he worked to further education in Indiana through his involvement in Indiana University and the Historical Society.

The IHB was established in 1915 as the Indiana Historical Commission to celebrate the statehood Centennial. After the celebration, the Commission continued its efforts by collecting information about World War I. In 1925, the Indiana legislature voted to make the organization permanent and changed the name to the Indiana Historical Bureau. The IHB’s continues its mission of educating the public through markers, oral histories, and archaeological projects.

The Bureau encourages the public to apply for a marker making sure that each marker is factually accurate and effectively educates the public. Applicants are responsible for paying for the cost of the marker, usually through fundraising or grants. Text on the marker is limited, as each side of the marker only allows for a maximum of 350 characters, forcing the applicant to weigh each word.

The IHB marker was placed on the IU campus in 2011 to commemorate the life and achievements of Blackford, a member of the Indiana University Board of Trustees starting in 1838. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law in 1845 from IU.