Old Northside Lofts: Neighborhood

Nestled at the crossroads of two Indianapolis historic neighborhoods

The Old Northside Historic District

Located about a mile north and several blocks east of the center of downtown Indianapolis, the area now known as The Old Northside was the home, during the second half of the 19th century, of the principal leaders of Indianapolis social, political, commercial and industrial life, as well as the location of leading religious and educational institutions.

The Old Northside reached its peak as the fashionable residential district of Indianapolis just before 1914. 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, over half of the original houses of the present Old Northside historic area had been demolished.

In 1978 the area was placed on the federal National Register of Historic Places as an historic district. Shortly thereafter 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.

Learn more at the Historic Old Northside website.

Herron Morton Place Historic District

Herron-Morton Place is an historical district near Downtown Indianapolis. The homeowners of Herron-Morton Place are dedicated to restoration and renewal. The boundaries of the historic neighborhood are East 16th Street on the south, East 22nd Street on the north, the alley west of North Pennsylvania on the west, and the alley east of Central Avenue on the east.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the district directly north of 16th Street was one of Indianapolis’ most elegant residential neighborhoods. Morton Place, named for Indiana governor Oliver Morton, was home to many celebrated politicians, physicians, business leaders, and artists. Indiana artists T. C. Steele and William Forsythe founded their famed art school in 1888 in the same area. The school was reorganized in 1902, when John Herron bequeathed funds to build a new building and museum. The John Herron School of Art is the state’s premier art school.

In 1859, the state purchased the land largely undeveloped, as a home for the Indiana State Fair.
At the start of the Civil War, the area was used first as an induction center for Indiana volunteers and later as a prisoner of war camp.
After the war, Indiana reclaimed the fairgrounds and used them until 1890. The area was then platted for residential use and home construction began.
The neighborhood thrived until the Great Depression. Throughout this time, through World War II, many homes were divided into apartments.
Throughout 1950-1970, many homes were lost to fire and demolition.
The Herron-Morton Place Neighborhood Association was formed in 1976 to spearhead the renovation of home, encourage new residential development, reduce crime, and rebuild community spirit.
In 1983, HMP was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became an historical preservation district in 1986.

Learn more at the Herron Morton Place website.