INDIANAPOLIS – A great Indianapolis holiday tradition that dates to the years just after World War Two will be in its familiar location soon.
It’s the bronze cherub that sits on top of the clock at the southwest corner of Meridian and Washington streets between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The cherub debuted in 1947 when L.S. Ayres’ flagship department store was at the corner that is now the site of Circle Centre Mall.
Commercial artist Virginia Holes worked for Ayres in the advertising department and created drawings of whimsical cherubs to use in the store’s catalog.
Customers fell for the little figures and the following year, Ayres commissioned sculptor David Rubins from the Herron School of Art to create a bronze cherub.
Since 1947, the cherub has appeared every year except for the early 1990’s when the May Company, which purchased Ayres, moved it to its St. Louis headquarters.
In Indianapolis, there was a public outcry and the May Company agreed to send the cherub back home where its “legal guardian” is now Downtown Indy, Inc.
So, if you’re at Meridian and Washington soon, don’t be surprised to see the famous cherub looking down at you.
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