The Indianapolis City Markets Catacombs are a noteworthy aspect of the city’s history, its maze-like layout soon to be part of a major renovation in the area. Photo from Visit Indiana.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Beneath the bustling streets of downtown Indianapolis lies a historic underground relic that’s both mysterious and uniquely Hoosier.

The City Market Catacombs, a 20,000-square-foot network of Romanesque brick arches and tunnels, have long fascinated locals and tourists alike.

The Catacombs, located beneath Whistler Plaza, are the remnants of Tomlinson Hall, a grand public meeting space built in 1886 that was destroyed by fire in 1958. Though the blaze claimed the building’s aboveground structure, its basement, now known as the Catacombs, remained intact and would go on to have a storied second life.

Constructed with funds from local druggist Stephen Tomlinson, the hall once served as an extension of the City Market, offering overflow space for vendors and an auditorium that could seat more than 4,000 people. Designed by prominent architect Diedrich Bohlen, Tomlinson Hall was both practical and monumental. Its underground corridors were especially vital: used to store and transport goods, preserve perishables with early refrigeration methods, and even hang meats to dry.

During a harsh winter in 1911, the Catacombs also became a temporary homeless shelter. More than 350 men reportedly took refuge there in what became known locally as the “Mayor’s Pajama Party.”

But by the mid-20th century, the once-grand hall had fallen into severe disrepair. In 1955, fire inspectors labeled it “the city’s worst fire hazard.” Just three years later, a massive fire gutted the building. The charred remains of the blaze, started by a pigeon carrying a lit cigarette according to local lore, was demolished by city officials. By the time demolition had finished, only the structure’s basement was left intact.

In the decades that followed, the Catacombs served multiple roles. The Indianapolis police used the space as a shooting range in the 1960s, and Halloween events in the 1980s and ’90s capitalized on its atmosphere. Guided tours in more recent years made it a popular destination.

Now, the Catacombs are entering a new chapter. The City Market is undergoing a major renovation, and the underground space is temporarily closed. Both are slated to reopen as part of an open-air park in the redeveloped site. City officials have not yet announced a specific reopening date.

For updates on the City Market redevelopment and the Catacombs’ reopening, visit the official city website or follow Indianapolis City Market on social media.