Page 69 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

The population soared from just over 8,000 in 1850 to more than 169,000 by 1900.
In the early days of automobile manufacturing, Indianapolis was a center of production rivaling Detroit, for a few years. The internationally renowned automobile races that take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year are a reminder of the booming automobile industry at the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1886 a huge natural gas deposit was discovered in east-central Indiana, followed by
the discovery of oil. It was, at the time the world’s largest oil field and natural gas deposit. The state government offered a free supply of natural gas to factories that were built there. This is why energy- hungry industries such as glass and automobile manufacturing started up there. Eli Lilly and Company was founded in the city in 1876. This was Indianapolis’ Golden Age. It ended in the 1920s when the gas ran out.
Today Indianapolis relies on government, insurance, banking, tourism (especially the Indy 500) and trade.
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