William Eastin English (b. 1850) was born into a family of influence in Lexington, Indiana, the son of a banker and politician. At 15, he moved to Indianapolis, where he would remain until his passing in 1926.
Throughout his remarkable life, English served as a representative at both the state and federal levels, inherited and operated his father’s opera house on Monument Circle, and fought in the Spanish-American War.
Though his political and military contributions have largely faded from public memory, and the English Opera House has long since been demolished, his enduring legacy of generosity and love for Indianapolis remains—most visibly at 615 Alabama St. in the English Foundation Building.
Today, a group of nonprofit organizations committed to serving Central Indiana carries forward English’s vision, as outlined in his will nearly a century ago.
It is my wish and will that such charities … shall be permitted free of charge and without restriction as to race, creed or color, to have their office headquarters in said building, and to have accommodations for the meeting of their officers and those interested in the management of their affairs, and for the proper transaction of their necessary business.
…[A]nd it is my desire that the poor, the needy, and the suffering of the City of Indianapolis shall receive the benefit from this bequest and that said property shall become and forever remain the headquarters of Indianapolis organized charities, and that during the future life of the City of Indianapolis, it shall be the home and center of organized charity work conducted in said city.
English’s vision was groundbreaking, both locally and nationally.
Notably, his insistence on racial inclusion directly opposed the segregationist policies of his time, which were championed by then-Indiana governor and Klan-affiliate Edward Jackson. But perhaps most significantly, his concept of a permanent, rent-free home for charitable organizations laid the foundation for a first-of-its-kind facility in America.
To bring this vision to life, the Indianapolis Foundation—entrusted with a portion of the English fortune—constructed and opened the present-day English Foundation Building on Alabama Street in 1953.
Today, the building continues to serve as a hub for nonprofits, with some remaining original tenants.
And just as William E. English envisioned nearly a century ago, every organization within its walls is dedicated to making Indianapolis a more vibrant, welcoming, and equitable place for all.