The monument is 284 feet, 6 inches tall and stands on Monument Circle, a circular, brick-paved street. It was built from 1888 to 1901 and dedicated on May 15, 1902. German architect Bruno Schmitz designed it.
It was meant to honor Hoosiers who were Civil War veterans, but it also honors soldiers from earlier wars. It was the first monument in the United States dedicated to the common soldier. It is built of oolitic limestone from Owen County, Indiana.
When it was dedicated it cost $598,318. Wikipedia says a similar structure would cost more than $500 million today. It has an observation deck reached by stairs or an elevator.