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Aerial view of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana at dusk including the Soliders' and Sailors' Monument and the skyline.

Register 64 Seats Remaining

Diners, Ducks & Drive-Ins

Indianapolis Roadside Architecture

2026-10-25 14:00:00 2026-10-25 15:30:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis Diners, Ducks & Drive-Ins Join us in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) at the Central Library to explore the vibrant era of twentieth-century car culture featuring iconic Indianapolis stops like the Tee Pee, Al Green's, Meadowbrook Diner, the Pole, Steer-In, and Wheeler's restaurants and gas stations. Central Library -

Sunday, October 25
2:00pm - 3:30pm

Join us in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) at the Central Library to explore the vibrant era of twentieth-century car culture featuring iconic Indianapolis stops like the Tee Pee, Al Green's, Meadowbrook Diner, the Pole, Steer-In, and Wheeler's restaurants and gas stations.

Culture, History, and Society: Historic Indianapolis
Diners, Ducks & Drive-Ins: Indianapolis's Roadside Architecture
This in-person program highlights the eye-catching buildings and businesses that emerged as automobiles reshaped the landscape, featuring iconic stops like the Tee Pee, Al Green's, Meadowbrook Diner, the Pole, Steer-In, and Wheeler's restaurants and gas stations. Presented by local historian Joan Hostetler, founding director of The Indiana Album, a community project that digitizes, catalogs, and shares public images of the state's history and architecture. Registration is required.

Preserve Your Memories: Bring Your Own Vintage Photos and Postcards
Registered attendees are encouraged to bring their own vintage photographs and postcards to be scanned during the program. Scanning services are provided independently by The Indiana Album.

Wander Indiana Reading List: Indiana road trip history, regional geography, and historic Indiana highways, including the National Road (US 40) and the Lincoln Highway (US 30). 

Age Group: Adults

Location: Held in person in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) on the 6th floor of the Central Library.

Parking: The Central Library has a parking garage available to patrons during their time there. Garage pricing information is detailed here. The garage can be accessed on Pennsylvania Street.

This program is part of the Culture, History, and Society: Historic Indianapolis programs hosted by the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR). Made possible by The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation and Indiana Humanities.

Contact: Special Collections Librarian Montoya Barker

Central Library

Phone: 317-275-4100

Hours
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Mon, Sep 21 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Sep 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Sep 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Sep 24 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Sep 25 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Sep 26 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Sep 27 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

As the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system, Central Library showcases renowned architecture and services. The original 1917 building, designed by Paul Cret and constructed of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, was considered one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the U.S. Its six-story glass and steel-framed addition, designed by Evans Woollen, opened in 2007.

Upcoming events

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Fri, Sep 25, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Sep 26, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Sep 26, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Sep 26, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Sep 27, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Sep 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Mon, Sep 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Mon, Sep 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Mon, Sep 28, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Central Library Auditorium

Tue, Sep 29, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Sep 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Sep 29, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Central Library Auditorium

Rescheduled
Tue, Sep 29, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
New date Tuesday, September 22, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Central Auditorium

Wed, Sep 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
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Wed, Sep 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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Wed, Sep 30, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Oct 02, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sat, Oct 03, 10:30am - 12:30pm

Sat, Oct 03, 1:30pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Oct 05, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Tue, Oct 06, All day
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Tue, Oct 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Tue, Oct 06, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Oct 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Oct 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Thu, Oct 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Fri, Oct 09, 11:00am - 11:30am
Registration opens Friday, September 25 2026 at 11:00am

Sat, Oct 10, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
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Tue, Oct 13, 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Oct 13, 5:00pm - 7:30pm

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Fri, Oct 16, 11:00am - 11:45am

Sat, Oct 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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Sun, Oct 18, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Tue, Oct 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Tue, Oct 20, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

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Tue, Oct 20, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Sat, Oct 24, 2:00pm - 4:00pm