Indianapolis Mayor, Reginald Sullivan

Indianapolis mayor, Reginald H. Sullivan, was photographed by Bretzman in 1930. Sullivan, a Democrat, came from a politically active family. He was first elected Indianapolis mayor in 1929 and served until 1935. During this first term he attempted to ease economic hardship during the Great Depression with a make work program, the building of Weir Cook Municipal Airport (the old airport), and acquired Citizens Gas and Coke Utility for the city. During his second term in office from 1939-1943 his administration removed miles of streetcar tracks from the city, installed a citywide air raid warning system, and launched a drive to improve the city's air quality. A bachelor, in 1930 Sullivan was 53 years old and lived at 503 North Capitol with his father Thomas L. Sullivan, a sister, Mary L. Sullivan, and brother Thomas L. Sullivan, Jr.This image is a preservation copy made from an unstable original nitrate negative. The image is part of Series III