Nicknames for Indy and neighborhoods: their origins

<p dir="ltr">During the decades when <strong><a href= "https://www.indy.gov/">Indianapolis</a></strong> and its downtown were far from vibrant, <strong><a href= "https://www.reference.com/geography/indianapolis-called-naptown-b1f1f28a80d6c956">Naptown</a></strong> was frequently used - along with "India-NO-Place" - as a derisive nickname for the lackluster Hoosier capital.</p> <p dir="ltr">But the actual origin of the Naptown nickname is much different than the negative connotation it later came to have, and the original intent was not to insult or disrespect the city, according to <strong><a href= "https://blog.history.in.gov/author/steve/">Steve Barnett</a></strong>, Marion County Historian. </p> <p dir="ltr"><img src= "http://hoosierhistorylive.org/images/Steve-Barnett-2021.JPG" alt= "Steve Barnett" width="220" height="318" align="right" />Steve says the nickname was coined during the 1920s by African-American jazz musicians and performers who visited Indianapolis. As a creative and even affectionate way to refer to the city, they began stressing the fourth syllable in the city's name, and that usage of "Naptown" was picked up by GIs stationed in the city during World War II. </p> <p dir="ltr">In addition to serving as a board member of the <strong><a href="https://www.mchsindy.org/">Marion County Historical Society</a></strong>, Steve is the executive director of the <strong><a href= "http://www.irvingtonhistorical.info/">Irvington Historical Society</a></strong>, and will be Nelson's guest to discuss the history and evolution of nicknames for the Hoosier capital. They have included <strong><a href= "https://www.visitindy.com/">Indy</a></strong> (by far the most popular in the 21st century), <strong><a href= "https://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/2011/monumentcircle.htm">Circle City</a></strong>, <strong><a href= "https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/introessay.htm">Crossroads of America</a></strong>, <strong><a href= "https://indyfluence.com/blog/how-indy-became-the-sports-capital-of-the-world/">