The memory of famed Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley, for whom Riley Hospital for Children was named, has been honored regularly on Riley’s birthday, Oct. 7, with a simple and solemn wreath-laying ceremony at his memorial tomb on the crest of the summit of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Riley’s tomb is on one of the highest elevations in Marion County, offering a panoramic view of Indianapolis. At this spot, many wreath-laying ceremonies have taken place for generations. Those visiting have included leaders of the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association (today the Riley Children’s Foundation), Riley Hospital physicians and administrative leaders, state and local politicians and schoolchildren. Often, James Whitcomb Riley re-enactors dressed in late Victorian period attire and lovers of Riley’s poetry would read memorable Riley poems and tributes at these ceremonial gatherings.
While Riley died July 22, 1916, his body was held temporarily after his funeral service in Crown Hill Cemetery’s specially ventilated Gothic Chapel for the next 15 months while Greenfield and Indianapolis made appeals to Riley’s family over where the Hoosier poet was to be buried. Eventually, Riley’s family decided that his final resting place would be Indianapolis, and Riley’s remains were buried on the summit of Crown Hill on Oct. 6, 1917. On Oct. 7, 1917, the Indianapolis Public Library (built on land donated to the city by Riley) was dedicated, and on Oct. 12, 1917, IPS No. 43 in Indianapolis was renamed James Whitcomb Riley School.
The historical record suggests that the custom of laying a wreath on Riley’s tomb by members of the Riley Memorial Association began quietly on the 74th anniversary of Riley’s birthday, Oct. 7, 1923, a year before the hospital was officially dedicated. A simple ceremony at the gravesite and a special vesper musical service at the Second Presbyterian Church were the only formal ceremonies. James W. Fesler, president of the Indiana University Board of Trustees, laid a wreath on the monument. Standing with Fesler were RMA leaders Hugh McK Landon, Meredith Nicholson, Dr. Carleton McCulloch and Frederick Schortemeier, along with Indianapolis journalist, poet and close friend to Riley, William Herschell. No speeches were made at Riley’s grave on that day.
James W. Carr, executive secretary of the RMA, explained the simplicity of the 1923 service: “Riley was a simple man. He did not approve of pomp and ceremony. We felt that he would not have approved of an elaborate ceremony.” One year later, before the official dedication ceremonies for Riley Hospital on Oct. 7, 1924, Hugh McK Landon, first president of the Riley Memorial Association, quietly visited Riley’s tomb, where he placed a wreath in tribute. Landon would carry out this custom with faithful dedication for decades until his passing in 1947.
Newspapers and other publications provide reports of a wreath being laid on Riley’s tomb on Oct. 7 for many years. Indiana Gov. Henry F. Schricker joined others to pay respects at Riley’s tomb in early October 1950, the year the new Riley Research Wing was built. Perry W. Lesh, then president of the RMA, laid a wreath at Riley’s tomb on Oct. 7, 1956, flanked by Herman B Wells, president of Indiana University, and others.
The simple and solemn act of laying a wreath at Riley’s Memorial Tomb on the poet’s birthday remains a part of the hospital’s history as an eloquent tribute and reminder of its namesake. In this centennial year for Riley Hospital for Children, Oct. 7, 2024, also marks the 175th anniversary of Riley’s birth.
--Compiled by the Riley Hospital Historic Preservation Committee
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