Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Meridian Park neighborhood features some of Indianapolis’— and the Midwest’s — best examples of American Arts & Crafts architecture.

WELCOME TO HISTORIC MERIDIAN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

This tour is part of the Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis Tour Series. It is endorsed by the Indianapolis Bicentennial Commission as an 'Official Indy Bicentennial Community Project.'

This tour takes approximately 90 minutes to walk.

Parking is most available along North Pennsylvania Street or East 32nd Street. This tour creates a loop to bring you back where you started.

History of the Neighborhood

After the forced departure of the Native Americans that once inhabited the region, the federal government homesteaded this area and granted 160 acres to David Huston in 1821. This acreage covered the entire area that is now Historic Meridian Park.

Meridian Park provided homes for the city’s prominent citizens, but it's abundance of well-maintained Arts and Crafts architecture distinguishes the area from Indy’s other historic neighborhoods. The architecture here clearly reflects the tenets of the American Arts and Crafts movement expounded by such American craftsmen such as Gustav Stickley, Elbert Hubbard, and Greene & Greene. Such qualities as natural materials, simplicity in design, and practicality reflect themselves in the designs of these homes.

The Arts and Crafts movement thrived during the early years of the twentieth century and extended far beyond architecture to involve a homeowner’s lifestyle. Therefore, unlike the large Victorian homes of the Old Northside, Arts and Crafts style homes reflect the philosophy that a modern house should be more functional than formal.

Meridian Park is known for more than just its substantial, architect-designed Arts & Crafts houses. Fashionable examples of Tudor Revival, American Four-Square, Colonial Revival and other exotic influences are well represented here, giving Meridian Park a rich variety rarely seen in other neighborhoods.

Over the years, urban flight in 1960s and 1970s left numerous homes in disrepair and cut up into multi-family dwellings. Today, Historic Meridian Park is a mixture of lifelong residents and relative newcomers. Residents create a diverse group with regard to age, socioeconomics and family structures, but were first drawn to the fine old homes — who could resist the romance of homes with Rookwood tile fireplaces, leaded and stained-glass windows, hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, sleeping porches and welcoming front porches? Adopting an older house in a city neighborhood takes an open mind and an interest in community. The eclectic and spirited mix of residents accepts the challenges and rewards of creating a strong community.

The tour you are about to embark on is a little bit about Architecture and a little bit about the people who have made and continue to make Historic Meridian Park a great Indianapolis neighborhood.

Real Estate Statistics in Historic Meridian Park

Home prices is this urban neighborhood are as diverse in as the neighbors themselves! Most of the homes date back to the early 1900s and offer distinctive features such as spacious porches, grand parlors, back staircases, sleeping porches, butler pantry's and servant's quarters. The most recent ten years of home sales share an interesting story too, much like the architecture and design of the times.

There are approximately 278 parcels in the neighborhood, including Trinity Episcopal Church and St. Richard's Episcopal School. A neighborhood realtor, Eric Baiz of FC Tucker Company, shares some statistics for the past year ending May 2020. "There have been 18 Closings with an average sale of $283,000 for a total of $5,100,000 with an average of 59 Days-On-Market. Dropping out the 3 lowest sales, the average home price was $310,000; the lower-priced houses needed significant repairs and updating. Several of the sales were full gut-rehabs with complete interior contemporary decor. The highest sale was $425,000 and the lowest sale was $90,000. Nevertheless, quite a number had substantial, original marvelous Arts & Crafts features -- "Good Historic Bones." Generally, for someone looking for a project, an additional investment of $175,000 can do a nice amount of renovation, but that number goes up for a historic renovation and premium upgrades. It is rare, but over the last 4 years (2016-2019), there have been 2 new grand, custom-built houses designed in a style the fits the architectural vernacular of the neighborhood."

The market for Historic Meridian Park has improved. Recent massive civic capital investments include The Red Line, The Children's Museum Sports Legends Experience, the rebuild of the historic Central Avenue bridge over the Fall Creek, plus the ongoing work on the city's Deep Rock Tunnel Collector. The future indeed looks very good. Most Historic Meridian Park neighbors agree the neighborhood is filled with caring and involved neighbors; residents are genuinely interested in getting to know one another. They care about the neighborhood from its streets to its neighborhood park and planted medians to its street lighting. Diversity among neighbors is embraced and a spirit of shared community investment flourishes & enhances the place they call home.

WANT TO LEARN MORE OR TAKE OTHER TOURS?

Visit Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapoils Tours at: tours.HUNIIndy.org

Visit Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis at: HUNIndy.org

Our Thanks

This program has been made possible through a Historic Preservation Education Grant from Indiana Landmarks, Indiana Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Funding provided in part by Indiana Landmarks.

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