Old Northside Neighborhood

The Old Northside is one of Indianapolis’s historic districts.

WELCOME TO THE OLD NORTHSIDE!

This tour is a 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 avaliable along Central Avenue near the Indiana Landmarks Center.

Neighborhood History

During the late nineteenth century, a residence in what was then the Northside of the City was a mark of success and affluence. While industry and its accompanying working-class neighborhoods sprang up to the south, west, and east of the original Mile Square boundaries of the City, the wealthy built their mansions in the wooded and rural setting north of the commercial and retail district. The northward movement began as early as the late 1840s, but not until after the Civil War did the Northside see substantial development. From that time to the early 20th century, the area was the most fashionable place to live. After 1900, other areas still farther north were settled and the original Northside (which became "The Old Northside" by virtue of the migration) was supplanted by the region north of Fall Creek as the most prestigious residential area.

In the years following World War I, the area began a period of slow decline. Decline accelerated after World War II and during the 1950's. By the mid-1970s, a significant amount of the original houses had been demolished.

In 1978 the area was placed on the federal National Register of Historic Places as an historic district. Shortly after the City of Indianapolis adopted The Old Northside Historic Preservation Plan, which serves as the basis for the legal designation of the Old Northside as an "historic area of Indianapolis-Marion County," and gives the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission authority to exercise "historic area review" over all design, demolition and exterior appearance changes that are undertaken in The Old Northside.

Since then most of the historic buildings have been renovated and historically sympathetic in-fill housing has been built, making The Old Northside one of the premier historic districts in the midwest.

WANT TO LEARN MORE OR TAKE OTHER TOURS?

• Visit Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis Tours at: tours.HUNIIndy.org
• Visit Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis at: HUNIndy.org
• Visit the Old Northside Neighborhood Association at: https://www.oldnorthside.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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