John Worth Baker

John Worth Baker
(26 Jun 1908 – 25 May 1977)

Born in Hamilton County, IN, Baker attended Butler University. He was living and working in Indianapolis by 1930 as an office equipment salesman. In 1940, he founded J. Worth Baker Co., a nationwide distributor of bank supplies and equipment, while also owning Bakerentals, Inc. and Worthomes, Inc. He was extremely active in the Masonic organization, eventually being elected to the position of the Imperial Potenante of the Ancient and Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America, Shrinedom’s highest office.

In 1957, along with three other local businessmen (former Indianapolis mayor Alex M. Clark; Joe Quinn, safety director of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; and Howard Wilcox (also buried in Crown Hill Cemetery), promotions director of the Indianapolis Star), Baker created the 500 Festival.

Anyone living in or around Indianapolis knows this festival, as it takes over Indianapolis every May to celebrate the Indianapolis 500 with foot races, parades, music, and other programming. The first 500 Festival included a parade, ball, and square dance. More than 150,000 spectators lined the route of the inaugural parade in 1957. Today, the 500 parade is a must for many Hoosiers.