Random Historic Photo - Indiana State Fairgrounds
posted: Jan. 08, 2026

This issue's Random Historic Photo, taken around 1982 from an airplane, shows the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Many buildings and areas haven't been built yet, including the Mac Reynolds barn, The Glass Barn, The Normandy Barn (moved here in 2008), the Future Farmers of America pavilion, the Free Stage and Celebration Park at the 4H dorms, and the Family Fun Park by the Pioneer Village.
On the south east corner of the fairgrounds (upper middle left in photo) you can see the Tee Pee restaurant that was on Fall Creek.
Across 38th Street to the south (upper right in photo, are the two IUPUI buildings (Purdue School of Engineering at Indianapolis) flanking the Burger Chef. (Your editor received his EE degree at this campus!)
Tee Pee restaurant at 38th and Fall Creek
IUPUI and Burger Chef on 38th across from the State Fair gates
alan@broadripplegazette.com