A Monument to Wes Montgomery Unveiled
The Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB) has erected a monument in Indianapolis in honor of Wes Montgomery. The IHB, located at the Indiana State Library just west of the state capitol in Indianapolis, also operates from the Indiana Historical Building. The IHB functions under the authority of Indiana state law, managing and recognizing various historical sites throughout the state.
Established in 1946, the IHB’s program is publicly driven, accepting applications from the general public. Upon approval by the governing board, a site is registered, and a cast aluminum monument with raised gold lettering on a navy blue enamel background and a silver frame attached to a post is erected at the most suitable location.
Among the 92 counties in Indiana, a historical monument for jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery has been established in Marion County, Indianapolis, the most populous county. The application for this monument was likely submitted by Wes’s son, Robert Montgomery, to celebrate Wes’s 100th birthday. On March 6, 2024, the 101st anniversary of Wes’s birth, a public unveiling ceremony for the IHB monument took place in Indianapolis. The ceremony honored Wes, his uncle Monk, and his brother Buddy Montgomery.
The monument is located on a cleared sidewalk area at the intersection of 10th Street and Bellafontaine Street, near the interchange where Interstates 65 and 70 split. The precise address is:
Northwest corner of 10th St. and Bellafontaine St., Indianapolis 46202
Photos on Google Maps appear to show the area being prepared for the monument’s installation. The location can be identified by matching the traffic signal and “Bellafontaine St” sign in the lower left map to the area in the upper photo, indicating the monument was placed on the right side of the raised ground.
This site is significant, as I explained on page 5 of the commemorative booklet for Wes’s 100th birthday, describing the family’s move there in 1947. Although the house was later demolished for interstate construction, the monument’s location holds deep connections to Wes’s history. The unveiling ceremony was attended by the Montgomery family, fans, and many members of the public.
The monument features inscriptions on both sides, with the topmost emblem shaped like the state of Indiana.
