Old Northside Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Old Northside Historic District
|
|
Old Northside Architecture
|
|
 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Interstate 65 and 16th, Bellefontaine, and Pennsylvania Streets, Indianapolis, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Area | 170 acres (69 ha) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000049 |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1978 |
Old Northside is a historic neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana. It's located close to the city center. This area is known for its beautiful old homes. Many of these homes were built during the Victorian era.
The neighborhood is bordered by 16th Street to the north and Pennsylvania Street to the west. Interstate I-65 is to the south, and Bellefontaine Street is to the east. The Monon Trail, a popular path, runs along its eastern side. Old Northside was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it's officially recognized for its important history and architecture.
Contents
A Look Back: Old Northside's History
Old Northside was a very popular place to live in the late 1800s. Many wealthy families in Indianapolis built large, fancy houses here. It was home to some important people.
- Benjamin Harrison: He was the 23rd President of the United States. His home is still in the neighborhood.
- Ovid Butler: He founded Butler University.
- Meredith Nicholson: A famous Indiana author. He wrote his well-known book House of a Thousand Candles while living here.
The first location of Butler University was also in Old Northside. It was called North Western Christian University back then. Later, the university moved to a different part of Indianapolis.
Around the 1910s, the neighborhood started to change. People began building new homes further north. Some of the old houses were torn down, and others became run-down. But in the late 1960s, people started to care about the old buildings again. Residents worked hard to fix up the remaining historic homes. They asked the city to protect the neighborhood's history.
In 1978, Old Northside officially became a historic district. This helped make sure its unique architecture and history would be saved. The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission now helps protect the neighborhood's past. In 2020, for Indianapolis' 200th birthday, Indiana Landmarks created an online walking tour. This tour lets people explore the neighborhood's history on their own.
Historic Homes and Places to Visit
Old Northside is home to several important buildings you can visit.
- The Benjamin Harrison Home: This was the home of President Benjamin Harrison. You can take tours here and learn about his life.
- The Morris-Butler House: This is another historic home. It's also open for tours and special events.
Both of these homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The former Central Avenue Methodist Church is also in Old Northside. It's now called the Indiana Landmarks Center. This building was beautifully restored. It's now a place for performances and serves as the main office for Indiana Landmarks. The old home of Thomas Taggart is now the national headquarters for the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
Fun Parks in Old Northside
Old Northside has three parks, all created with help from the Old Northside Foundation.
- Great Oak Commons: This park was made from empty lots. It's designed like a Victorian walking park. It has a fountain, old-style gas lights, a gazebo, and a sensory garden. The garden is filled with sweet-smelling flowers.
- Shawn Grove Park: This park is especially for kids. It has fun play equipment.
- The Frank and Judy O'Bannon Soccer Park: The city of Indianapolis created this park. It was built on old land near former train tracks. Now, children's summer soccer leagues use it. Indy Parks takes care of it today.
Neighborhood Groups
The Old Northside Neighborhood Association started in 1979. This group works to protect the historic buildings. They also plan fun cultural and social events for everyone in the neighborhood.
The Old Northside Neighborhood Foundation was created in 1990. This group raises money for neighborhood projects. They've helped fund the parks and change street lights to match the historic style of the area.
Images for kids
-
Benjamin Harrison House, 2016
-
1221 N. Delaware Street, 2016
-
1229 N. Delaware Street, 2016
-
Knights of Columbus McGowan Hall, 2016
-
Windsor Apartments, 2016
