Damien Center - 26 North Arsenal Avenue
Year Built: 1914 Architecture Style: ItalianateKey Features:Decorative Brackets and Flat Roof Elaborate Door Surround with Stained Glass Fanlight over Door Tall Narrow WindowsThis building was constructed in 1914 as the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity School. By 1991, it was the home of the Eastside Community Investments, Inc., a company that focused on rehabilitating many of the dilapidated homes and buildings in the area. ECI was founded in 1976. Mission - improve housing, turn renters into homeowners, attract economic development to the area Paint-up/Fix up Program; contractor assistance for elderly and handicapped; purchased decayed houses, arranged for renovation, resold them, used profits for more home improvements Improved some 140 houses in its first decade 1982 – renovated 1210 E Ohio Street (formerly headquarters of Outlaws Motorcycle Club) 1980s - ECI also helped paint houses for low income families, caulk windows "Caulk of the Town", and winterized 158 eastside houses. To learn more about this organization, read this article: https://shelterforce.org/1999/03/01/after-the-fall/. In 2006, the Damien Center took over most of the building. The Damien Center had previously been housed in a building owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The Damien Center was established in 1987 as a center for the care and prevention of AIDS/HIV and support of individuals living with AIDS/HIV. It has become the premier facility for this care in Indianapolis. The center began through an alliance of the Catholic Church, Evangelical Church, and the Bag Ladies. It was named after the Blessed Father Damien, a Belgian Catholic priest famed for his compassionate care for those affected by Hansen's Disease (leprosy) on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Father Damien battled the religious and societal rejection of Hansen's Disease victims, living with and among them in the Molokai "lepers' colony" from 1873 until his death from Hansen's Disease in 1889. Father Damien was beatified by Pope John Paul II and became a saint in October of 2009.To learn more about the Damien Center and its creation, read this thesis: http://hdl.handle.net/1805/22797
John Holtzman House - 132 North Arsenal Avenue
Year Built: 1864Architecture Style: Gable FrontKey Features:Clapboard Siding Stickwork on Top of Front GableThis home was built for John Holtzman, Mayor of Indianapolis from 1903-1905. He is known for several city improvements during his tenure including forming the Citizens Gas Company and the elevation of railroad tracks. Later, he formed a law partnership in the city. In 1905, he was officially decorated by the Guangxu Emperor of China, part of the Quing Dynasty.
Mathias Dreher House - 227 North Arsenal Avenue
Year Built: 1873Architecture Style: Queen AnneKey Features: Fishscale Shingles Rich Jewel-Tone Color Decorative Elements on Entire Structure
225 North Arsenal Avenue
Year Built: 1890Architecture Style: ItalianateKey Features:Tall, Narrow Windows Decorative Brackets Large Porch with Flat Roof
YMCA Baseball Fields and Athletic Park - 230 North Arsenal Avenue
The home at 230 North Arsenal Avenue marks the former entrance of the Baseball Fields and Athletic Park. "As the Indianapolis Indians look to celebrate 125 seasons of professional baseball in Indianapolis this year, members of the Arsenal Heights neighborhood have been discovering their neighborhood’s own unique role in baseball history. Upon finding an 1898 Sanborn map of the neighborhood showing a ballpark between Ohio, Arsenal, New York, and Oriental streets, several neighbors began digging up any information they could find on the park. What they found was several histories of professional baseball parks that refer to the park, often with contradictory information and differing names: Market-Oriental Park, East Ohio Street Park, and Indianapolis Park. Some histories suggested the park hosted the Indianapolis Hoosiers when they were in the majors as part of the National League, a team that had multiple future Hall of Famers, including Amos “The Hoosier Thunderbolt” Rusie. Other history books indicated the ballpark was used primarily by later minor league teams in the city and after major league baseball had left the city. Approaching the end of the 19th century, baseball was the national pastime, but football had become the sport of choice on college campuses. By the 1880s, the game was expanding to western universities, including many in Indiana. The first intercollegiate football games in Indiana took place at the old Athletic Park, the baseball grounds located at the current location of Methodist Hospital, in 1884. In 1886, a group of Yale students and graduates native to Indianapolis formed the Indianapolis Athletic Association (IAA) with the intent to bring rugby football rules to Indiana. Games were initially played at the old Athletic Park on the current Methodist Hospital grounds. The 1886 league included teams from Wabash, Franklin, Butler, Indiana, and Hanover, with Wabash winning the first state championship. In 1889, the YMCA sought to create a new park for football and other sports in the city, and worked in close conjunction with the football proponents of the Indianapolis Athletic Association. Maria Fletcher Ritzinger, leased a parcel of land she owned in Arsenal Heights between Arsenal, Ohio, Oriental, and Michigan streets to the YMCA to be used for the athletic park. YMCA Athletic Park’s grand opening was a field day on September 7th, 1899. Under the auspices of the YMCA, state college football transitioned from the IAA to a newly created college athletic conference, the Indiana Intercollegiate Athletic Association, for the 1899 season. The season was set up in tournament fashion and all games were hosted at YMCA Athletic Park. The conference included teams from Purdue, DePauw, Wabash, Indiana, Butler, and Hanover. By 1890, all of the teams had their own home fields, but Butler adopted YMCA Athletic Park as their home field. The 1890 season appears to be the first time the down-and-distance rules (3 downs to advance the ball 5 yards) and play from scrimmage were incorporated into the Indiana game. Thus, these were the first games in Indiana that were distinctively American, rather than rugby, football. In 1891, the YMCA could no longer afford to maintain the park and it was dismantled. Butler played their games instead at the old State Fairgrounds in what is now Herron-Morton Place. A new baseball park was built on grounds of the former YMCA park in 1892, generally referred to as the East Ohio Street grounds. Butler returned to use the park as their home field until they built a field on their Irvington campus in 1897. In the final years of the century, the park grew out of favor for hosting football as newer athletic parks were developed elsewhere in the city. In 1899, Maria Ritzinger’s heirs had the land parceled and developed as a new subdivision, named “Arsenal Park,” making way for the homes that currently reside there. While little evidence remains of its existence today, this little park in Arsenal Heights can make two claims to sports history: one of the founding sites of baseball’s American League, and the birthplace of Indiana football."- This is an excerpt from an 2011Urban Times article by John Houser
The Church of the Holy Cross - 1401 East Ohio Street
Year Built: 1896Architecture Style: NeoclassicalKey Features:Large Ionic Columns Stone Construction Wide EntablatureThe parish was founded in 1895 by the Catholic Diocese of Indianapolis. They ministered to the Irish, Italian, and German citizens living in the area. In 1896 the first building on the site was dedicated and it remained until 1927 when it was severely damaged by a tornado.In 1902 the church also established Holy Cross Catholic School (east part of building) where they separated girls and boys classes and the Sisters of Providence convent (west part – parish building with porch).Other Significant Events:1930s they combined girls and boys into the same school 1922– Larger, existing church building dedicated 1948 – Gymnasium/fellowship hall built – originally Fatima Hall, renamed Kelley Hall in 1989 1970 – Father Byrne founded NESCO (Near Eastside Community Organization) 1972 – became a rectory 1987 – school part of the building expanded to the south 1987 – Parish building sold to Eastside Community Investments (ECI)and renovated for low-income residents - "Providence Place" 1976 – ECI formed. 1982 – renovated 1210 E Ohio Street (formerly headquarters of Outlaws Motorcycle Club) ECI had a method of creating duplex situation 1980s - ECI also helped paint houses for low income families, caulked windows, and winterized 158 eastside houses. 2014 - The church was closed 2015 - The collapse of front facade 2019 - windows removed
Northeast Corner of Ohio and Oriental Streets - 1402 East Ohio Street
This empty lot at the northeast corner of Ohio and Oriental Streets used to be the location of a small grocery store. The grocery store was destroyed when it mysteriously exploded. Suspicions point to arson due to issues with food stamp fraud.
Outlaws Motorcycle Club - 1208 East Ohio Street
Year Built: Architecture Style: Queen AnneKey Features:Multi-Colored Aesthetic Large Wrap-Around Porch Varying Patterns and Levels in DesignThis home was once part of the Indiana Chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club's properties in this area, it served as a clubhouse. This property was seized in the early 1980s and then in 1982 renovated by the Eastside Community Investments group. In 2012, three other properties in the area were seized and demolished after an investigation into a crime ring ran by the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Read more here: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2015/10/13/demolition-outlaws-motorcycle-club-compound-begins/73862808/. Cindy & Dan Morel later bought the home and have been converting it into a single family home.
Highland Park - 110 East New York Street
History of the ParkGovernor Noble's Mansion stood in the park when the land was originally platted; Originally called Highland Square 1898 - Became a city park (4 acres) 1955 - Eastside residents formed a delegation to protest against selling Highland Park and turning it into an Air Force Reserve Training Center. Mayor Alex M. Clark was convinced to invest $20,000 in new facilities at the park. New development near the park and north of New York Street East side of N Highland Avenue: Old houses bulldozed without notice to build an auction house Auction house sold to Hope International Ministries which had sleeping room/day care/food pantry Redevelopment Group bought out HIM and built new, market rate houses Read more about the park's history here: https://historicindianapolis.com/in-the-park-highland-park/
Former Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association Distribution - 920-924 East Ohio Street
Year Built: 1891Architecture Style: NeoclassicalKey Features:Pediment Over Entrance with Anheuser-Busch Logo Deep Entryway with Arch and Elaborate Door Surround Stone ConstructionBehind the office, located on three acres on the banks of Pogues Run, stood large frame buildings to house beer, carriages, delivery horses, bottling works, and an ice house. Refrigerators could hold up to sixteen carloads of beer sent directly from the Saint Louis brewery. A railroad spur on the grounds provided easy access to the nearby tracks to distribute beer throughout the state.Times got tough for the company during Prohibition and city directories from the 1920s list this site as “Anheuser Busch, soft drink manufacturers.”Oxen pulled the covered wagons until 1933 when the sons of August A. Busch, Sr. surprised him with a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition (or at least the legalization of low-content alcohol such as beer and wine). The horses became a marketing hit when they delivered cases of beer to the governor of New York and President Roosevelt as thanks for their work to end Prohibition. Today, Anheuser-Busch owns over 250 Clydesdales throughout their company.The property also was home to C.F. Branham’s Coal Yard before, long before the interstate.As of 2020, the property belongs to the Capitol City Fence Company who have been excellent stewards and preservationists of this historic building. This article discusses more about the history of the property: https://historicindianapolis.com/indianapolis-then-and-now-anheuser-busch-brewing-association-and-capitol-city-fence-company-920-24-e-ohio-street/
Ohio Street and the Interstate
The Interstate (I65/70) has changed the landscape in this portion of the neighborhood. Indianapolis Varnish Company - removed for interstate Cabinet Making / Lumber Yards - removed for interstate Market Square Arena - 300 E. Market Street The interstate used to have a ramps on Ohio & Market, which were one-way streets to move traffic for events at the arena. Ramp was removed in 2008/2009 and Ohio & Market were converted back into two-way streets Much quieter, more comfortable, more of a neighborhood street now.
Angie's List - Cruse, Pine, & E. Washington Streets
Angie's List has done a great renovation of historic buildings for office space along Cruse Street, Pine Street, and East Washington StreetsThey tried to keep some history in the renovations, like one building that at one point before Angie's List was a campaign headquarters. When it was renovated for office, they had the interior painted in patriotic red, white, and blue colors to pay homage Many old, run-down commercial structures have been renovated into office space, like the ones on Pine Street Sanitary Diner (99 Cruse Street)-- Offers pastries and beverages exclusively to Angie’s List employees (no public restroom, so it can't be open to the public). The original, old-school diner, trucked in from Ohio, began life in 1937. That was back when tuberculosis was still a “thing,” and eating establishments let customers know in the most in-your-face ways possible that their facilities were, well, sanitary. MotoCafe (55 Cruse Street) - Opened May 2015 to the public Carriage House (2-98 Cruse Street) Angie's List Office
Fire Station - 1031 East Washington Street
The firehouse was also part of the Angie's List properties. This historic building was converted into the "front door" for Angie's List visitors.
Former Neuronhurst - 1400 East Market Street
Year Built: Circa 1880sArchitecture Style: Federal and Second EmpireKey Features:Large Portico Symmetrical Facade Decorative Crown Along Roof Line Mansard Roof Tower Dormer WindowsNeuronhurst – Dr. Fletcher’s Sanatorium for Women • Dr. W. B. Fletcher’s Sanatorium“For the treatment of Nervous and Mental Diseases” “Voluntary and committed cases accepted” Had 50 beds total, 1880 Sanatorium – like a mental health resort, but often with an emphasis on the sick, like tuberculosis patientsRead more about Dr. Fletcher’s Sanatorium for Women in this article from Historic Indianapolis.The property is now home to the Elevator Company at 1116 East Market Street. The property is unmarked and carries a Mid Century design.
Washington Irving School #14 - 1250 East Market Street
The original building for the Washington Irving School #14 was built in 1880's and faced Ohio street. This location is now a parking lot. The current school opened in the mid 1990s and replaced the old building. This cost $8 million to construct. The building was renovated in 2014. During this time, they bussed the kids to an empty Indianapolis Public School further east for the year.
Byrne Court Apartments - 1411 East Market Street
Year Built: 1989Architecture Style: Tudor RevivalKey Features:Decorative Timbering Heavy Window Leading Brick Masonry ConstructionThe apartment complex was named after Father Byrne who was priest at Holy Cross and active with Eastside Community Investments. The complex features 50 one-bedroom and efficiency units for low-income elderly residents.
Indianapolis Liederkranz - 1417 East Washington Street
Year Built: 1912Architecture Style: Tudor RevivalKey Features:Decorative Timbering and Clapboard Siding Bright Yellow AestheticOriginally only a men's choir, Liederkranz was founded in April of 1872. The organization formed a women’s choir in 1997. They have continued to grow and add to their musical repertoire by forming both a brass band and bell choirs in 2014. "The purpose of the Indianapolis Liederkranz is the cultivation and perpetuation of German culture, primarily through song and music, as well as the cultivation and promotion of other cultural activities for its members and the community at large."The Liederkranz moved here from Mozart Hall (located at Pearl and Delaware Streets - now the site of the Marion County Jail) in 1912. The building was originally a bowling alley.The ground floor features an event hall with a small bar. The 2nd floor features our grand concert hall, an anteroom, full bar and kitchen. There is also a bowling alley in the building.Today, the organization continues to promote German culture through music, by hosting several popular annual events: March Boch Beer Fest, a variety of music concerts for Men's/Women's/Bell's/Brass Band/combinations of groups, Oktoberfest, children's Christmas party, and Weihnachtskonzert. Become a member to support the Liederkranz purpose and for reduced admission to some events. Bonus to membership ability to enjoy a German beer at the upstairs bar any night the building is open for practice. No need to have German heritage or musical abilities - all are welcome. To learn more about the Indianapolis Liederkranz visit them at: https://indyliederkranz.org/
Former Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant - 1315 East Washington Street
Year Built: 1914Architecture Style: Colonial RevivalKey Features:Tiled Decorative Designs across Facade Symmetrical Aesthetic Numerous Large WindowsFord Motor Company was a four-story Indianapolis Branch Assembly Plant also known as Plant 215. This Indianapolis Star article provides some more insight into the history of the plant. The building has recently been adaptively reused and turned into The Assembly, an apartment complex. This article discusses the project: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/05/old-ford-plants-renaissance-hopeful-sign-struggling-near-east-side/733125001/
Dr. Kerr’s Private Sanitarium - 1307 East Washington Street
Year Built: Circa 1915Architecture Style: ItalianateKey Features:Wide Entablature Tall, Narrow Windows with Segmental CrownsDr. Kerr’s Private Sanitarium stood just west of the Ford Motor Company (now a parking lot). The Sanatarium, and organization like a mental health resort which provided a get away from city pollution and allowed participants to get some light and air, was ran by Dr. John F. Kerr. The organization had 10 beds according to 1921 medical directory. This is the last stop on our tour! Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis and Indiana Landmarks thanks you for joning us! Consider taking one of other fantasic tours on PocketSights!
