The Pumphouse

Historical marker location:

717 W Washington St, Indianapolis, Indiana

( Marker can be reached from West Washington Street, 0.3 miles west of North West Street, on the right when traveling south.)

Marker installed: 1982

An American Water Landmark. Significant in the History of Public Water Supply.

The first public demonstration of the electric light bulb was given by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New Jersey, but the first practical incandescent light bulb was invented by Lewis Howard Latimer, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, but lived in Indiana for a time. Latimer was also the first African American to be employed as an engineer by the U.S. Patent Office.