On February 10, 1910, Madam Walker arrived at Union Station in Indianapolis. During her visit, she spent time socializing and making connections, but she also set up a temporary salon at the home of Doctor Joseph Ward and began advertising her treatments. One month later, Walker moved into a five-room rental house. A short time later, she purchased a home at 640 North West Street.

During her years in Indianapolis, Walker became a leader in the city’s Black community. Her contributions were twofold: —contributing economically by employing dozens of people in her factory and office, and civically through her philanthropy and activism. Following her announcement in 1915 that she would be moving to New York, the YMCA adopted and presented to Walker a formal resolution imploring her to stay. Despite their efforts, she moved to New York City in early 1916. Walker lived there until her death in 1919.