INDIANAPOLIS — Monument Circle had a growing problem in the summer of 1979 — discarded chewing gum.
The Circle was fresh off a massive makeover which was completed in October 1978.
Part of the renovation included the installation of hundreds of thousands of bricks. The asphalt pavement surrounding the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was removed and replaced with the more aesthetically pleasing bricks.
By summertime, it was clear the bricks were under attack.
Former Channel 6 reporter Reid Duffy talked with the men tasked with the removal of the gum.
Archie Wells, Bob Bush and Bill Jones all worked for the maintenance division of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Duffy dubbed the trio the bubble gum brigade.
As for the age old question, “Does your chewing gum loses its flavor on Monument Circle overnight?” “I don’t want to know,” said Duffy.
