A brief history...

In the fall of 1930, Thomas Ruckelshaus and Russsel Fortune Jr. Organized a series of chases on horseback, eventually leading to discussion of organizing a drag hunt on horseback.  TPH met informally for the first time at the red barn on Moore Rd on November 14, 1931 with Mr. George Bailey as Master of Fox Hounds, Huntsman Russel Fortune Jr., and Whippers-in Nate Davis and Wells Hampton. Riders in the field number 16 of Indianapolis’ most prominent citizens. 
The territory at that time was the hills and valleys along Eagle Creek from 56th to 96th in the area that is currently northwest Indianapolis and Zionsville.  This area, known as Traders Point, has its own unique history, and more can be learned about this here.
The current Hunt House was built in 1965 through a generous building fund and the enthusiasm of several TPH members.  The new kennels were constructed in 1974, where they still stand to this day.  Our hunting territory was far and wide up until 1960.  Many farms still ran together, for example, from Moore Road and old 52, through DeVault’s, Elder’s, Fortune’s, Brown’s, Martenet’s, Arbuckle’s, Hotham’s, Danner’s and Johnson’s to the kennels.  Many of these areas are now broken up due to urban sprawl, however, we have since gained many wonderful fixtures that are only a short trailer ride away.  These include Mrs. Johnson’s North Farm, Righter/Lamberjack’s, Hamilton’s, Frenzel’s, and Faeber’s. 

A bit about Foxhunting in the US...

Foxhunting is the sport of mounted riders chasing wild quarry with a pack of hounds. The fox or coyote circles and runs through the countryside evading the hounds. Through the years North American foxhunting has evolved to be somewhat different from the British. The most obvious difference is that in North America the emphasis is on the chase rather than the kill.  In the US, a successful hunt ends when the fox is accounted for by “going to ground”. Once there, hounds are rewarded with praise from their huntsman. The fox gets away and is chased another day. Many hunts in the US and Canada are drag hunts, where scent is laid prior to casting the hounds, and then hounds follow this scent as opposed to a live fox. The scenery is always beautiful, company is enjoyable and watching the hounds as they attempt to find the quarry usually allows for excellent sport and a wonderful day in wide open spaces and fresh air. For more detailed information about foxhunting in North America, visit the Masters of Foxhounds Association at www.mfha.org.