Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood

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.

Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, United States

Created By: Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis

Tour Information

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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Tour Map

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What You'll See on the Tour

Year Built: 1909 (3177) and 1919 (3171) Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Leading on Mulit-Pane Decorative Windows Squared Porch Supports Natural Building Materials  We will begin our tour looking at two houses. These M... Read more
Year Built: 1909 Architectural Style: Mission Revival - Key Features: Mission- Shaped Roof Parapet Smooth Stucco Wall Covering Red- Roof Tiles One of several Meridian Park homes designed by local architect Clarence Martindale, this 1909 Mis... Read more
Year Built:  Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Natural Building Materials Porch Supports are Squared and Extend to Ground Another home designed by architect Lawrence George, this is a former residence of Indiana Landmark... Read more
Year Built: 1909 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Half- Timbering on Upper Floor Semi-Hexagonal Bay Windows Multi-Paned Windows on Upper Floor Stained Glass featuring Geometric Pattern  In 1978, Jean and Lamar Richcreek p... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Decorative Half-Timbering Narrow Windows with Multiple Panes Stained Glass featuring Arts and Crafts Bud Design on Second Level Another home built by Indianapolis architec... Read more
Year Built: 1906 Architectural Style:  Colonial Revival - Key Features: Accentuated Front Door with Decorative Crown Supported by Thin Columns Second Story Overhang First Story Wing This 1906 colonial revival was built and first occupied b... Read more
Year Built:1962 Architectural Style: Mid-Century Modern - Key Features:  Minimalist Aesthetic with some Decorative Detail Angular Features and Overhang Roof Functionality over Form and Design This Mid-Century Modern building was originally... Read more
Year Built: 1912 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Decorative Half-Timbering  Multiple Narrow Windows  Brick Masonry  Tammy Wyss Senn and Mike Senn are among a handful of “renovation rockstars” in the neighborhood ... Read more
Year Built: 1912 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Heavy Horizontal Lines Squared Porch Supports that Extend to the Ground Decorative Stickwork on Upper Levels Brick and Wood as Main Building Materials The Esplanade apart... Read more
Sometime in the 1940s, the landscaped esplanade which ran the length of Pennsylvania Street was removed by the City of Indianapolis. A similar esplanade along 32nd street was also removed around this time. Today, the Triangle is one of thre... Read more
Year Built: 1912 Architectural Style:  - Key Features: Front Gable has Large Cornice and Wide Band of Decorative Trim Door is Surround by Narrow Sidelights and is part of an Elaborate Door Surround Four Decorative Pilasters Across the Fron... Read more
Year Built: 1912 Architectural Style: Greek Revival - Key Features: Front Gable has Large Cornice and Wide Band of Decorative Trim Door is Surround by Narrow Sidelights and is part of an Elaborate Door Surround Four Decorative Pilasters Acr... Read more
Year Built: 1911 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Decorative Timbering on a Small, Decorative Gable Multiple Pane Windows Vergeboard over Entryway This is another one of the homes renovated by the Wyss family. In 2005, thi... Read more
Year Built:  1919 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Decorative Half-Timbering Decorative Front Gables Semi-Hexagonal Bay Window Multi-Pane Windows - Notably Third Floor Windows This Tudor Revival home is one of six houses ... Read more
Year Built: 1912 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Multi-Pane Windows Large Chimney Narrow Windows This Tudor Revival’s original owner was Paul H. Buchanan, chairman of the board of Flanner & Buchanan Mortuaries. In 1... Read more
Year Built: 1906 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts Bungalow - Key Features: Exposed Roof Beams Wood Siding - Natural Material Square Porch Supports Heavy Leading on Multi-Pane Windows We could spend the full tour talking about the histor... Read more
Year Built: 1906 Architectural Style: English Country Manor - Key Features: Segmented Arched Doors on Enclosed Porch  Side Gabled Roof and Symmetrical Design Two Front Towers Extensive Gardens This home is undoubtedly one of Meridian Par... Read more
Year Built: 1918 Architectural Style: Italianate Revival - Key Features: Symmetrical Facade Large Full Arched Crown Above Door Decorative Brackets Along Roof Sidelights on Door When Ben Solomon — owner of Solomon Antiques — moved to thi... Read more
Year Built:  Architectural Style: Queen Anne - Key Features: Bay Window Front Facing Gable Leaded Multi-Pane Windows (Arts and Crafts Influence) Large Porch This is an example of a house that took one step forward and two steps back. When ... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: American Foursquare - Key Features:  Plain Facade Simple Building Materials Rectangular Footprint with Full Front Porch A reaction to the ornate and mass-produced elements of the Victorian and othe... Read more
Year Built: 1921 Architectural Style: French Revival - Key Features: Stucco Walls Arched Windows with Keystone Steeply Pitched Roof Decorative Brackets This French Revival home was designed by well-known architect Willard Osler in 1921 for ... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Stucco and Half Timbering Exposed Rafters and Knee Braces Nightime decorative light display delighting passers by This Tudor Revival home was designed by the architectural ... Read more
Year Built: 1909 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Decorative Half-Timbering Large Chimney Decorative Window Leading Semi-Hexagonal Bay Windows This house was built in 1909 by Colonel I.T. Moore. Years later the home was so... Read more
The Historic Meridian Park Historic Marker was a year-long neighborhood association project completed in 2012. The marker celebrates Historic Meridian Park’s architectural integrity and historical significance that led to its inclusion on... Read more
Year Built: 1914 Architectural Style: American Foursquare - Key Features: Plain Aesthetic Simple Construction Materials Central Dormer One of the first owners of this home was Harry F. Brinkmeyer, an executive with Pioneer Brass Company, wh... Read more
Year Built: 1895 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Inward Sloping Piers on Upper Level Porch Supports Extending to Ground Decorative Timbering on Garage Doors One of the extensive renovations by the Smith-Webb Family.  T... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Stickwork on Porches Heavy Leaded Windows Another renovation by the Smith-Webb Family. This duplex style home can house multiple families.  ...
Year Built: 1898 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Heavy Leaded Multi-Pane Windows Wood as Main Building Material Exposed Roof Beams This 1898 residence is one of the few 19th century homes in the Meridian Park neighborho... Read more
Our neighborhood finally put the ‘Park’ in Meridian Park. In 2013, the neighborhood raised the money to purchase two empty lots through private donations and has successfully applied for grants for park development. The goals of the pa... Read more
Year Built: 1907 Architectural Style: Mission Revival - Key Features: Mission Shaped Roof Parapet Smooth Stucco Walls Quatrefoil Window This is one of two Meridian Park homes designed by the firm of Rubush & Hunter. Rubush & Hunter... Read more
Year Built: 1907 Architectural Style: Dutch Colonial Revival / Neo-Classical - Key Features: Decorative Curved Parapet Gables Multi-Pane Windows Doric Columns  Meridian Park’s northeast anchor — and second house designed by Rubush &... Read more
Year Built: 1914 Architectural Style: American Foursquare with Prairie Influence - Key Features: Central Hipped Dormer Large Windows Side Porch With Slab Roof William Langsenkamp Jr and his wife, Ida, lived in this house from 1914 until at ... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Squared Porch Piers Decorative Window Glazing Red Roof Tiles as Decorative Feature Childhood home of businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg, founder the Eitelj... Read more
Year Built: 1915 Architectural Style: - Key Features: Charles W. Jewett resided here while he served as the mayor of Indianapolis. Jewett was chosen as chairman of the Marion County Republican Committee in 1914 and served as the Mayor of In... Read more
Year Built: Circa 1910s Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features:  Decorative Half-Timbering Decorative Brackets Multi-Pane Windows near Door This is the former home of George Marott, an English immigrant who came to Indianapolis ... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: American Foursquare with Prairie Influence - Key Features: Porch with Slab Roof Boxy Shape to House Footprint Large Windows One of this home’s early owners was famed WWI fighter ace Harvey “Weir” ... Read more
Year Built: 1911 - 1914 Architectural Style: American Foursquare with Dominant Arts & Crafts Influences - Key Features: Simple Box Style Wide Porches and Large Windows Decorative Stickwork You can walk down the grassy court.  One of ... Read more
Year Built: 1900 Architectural Style: American Four Square - Key Features: Simple Box Style Central Dormer Wide Porch Another example of an American Four Square. You may have heard other nicknames such as the Denver Square, Seattle Box, Pr... Read more
Year Built: 1911 Architectural Style: Tudor Revival - Key Features: Decorative Half-Timbering Exposed Roof Beams Hipped Gable Roof Arthur Bohn, a partner with the architectural firm of Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller, designed and resided in t... Read more
Year Built: 2017 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts Inspired - Key Features: Slanting Squared Porch Piers Decorative Timbering Decorative Stickwork Above Upper Porch Former site of the home of Frank Beckwith, an Indianapolis attorney, ju... Read more
Year Built: 1910 Architectural Style: Queen Anne - Key Features: Tower Asymmetrical Facade Decorative Details One only a handful of Queen Anne homes in Meridian Park, this house was finally restored in 2015 after years of neglect. It’s t... Read more
Year Built: 1920 Architectural Style: American Foursquare with Arts and Crafts Influences - Key Features: Slab Roof Simple Box Style Large Windows Former home of Louis B. Russell, who at the time of his death in 1974 was the world’s long... Read more
Year Built: Circa 1908 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts Bungalow - Key Features: Embracing Porch Wood Heavy in Construction Exposed Roof Beams This is one of four Meridian Park homes attributed to local architect Clarence Martindale, an... Read more
Year Built: Circa 1912 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts Bungalow - Key Features: Decorative Half-Timbering Fieldstone Porch and Chimney Large Embracing Porch Though on a somewhat smaller scale than the majority of houses within Meridian... Read more
Year Built: Circa 1911 Architectural Style: American Four Square - Key Features: Extensive Exterior and Interior Woodwork Large Front Porch Original cedar shakes and clapboard siding This home was originally built for Fred and Marie Mueller... Read more
Year Built: 1916 Architectural Style: American Foursquare - Key Features: Simply Box Style Large Porch with Squared Supports Large Windows Rain Garden in front yard is a beautiful and useful addition to the neighborhood.  ...
Year Built: 1925 Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts - Key Features: Decorative Stickwork Wood Siding Exposed Roof Beams The first owner was Homer Laughlin. He was a graphics designer here in Indianapolis and was hired to move to Chicago t... Read more
Year Built: 1902 Architectural Style: American Foursquare with Arts and Crafts Influence - Key Features: Squared Porch Supports Front Dormers Square Footprint Large Porch Past home of former neighborhood association board president Stacey P... Read more
Year Built: 1911 Architectural Style: American Foursquare - Key Features: Central Front Dormer Large Windows Bay Windows This American Foursquare typifies this style of architecture seen within Meridian Park. Constructed in 1911 for Cliffor... Read more
Year Built: 1892 and 1897 Architectural Style: Greek Revival - Key Features: Doric Columns Cornice and Fanlight over Door Surround Bay Window with Decorative Crown Meridian Park is composed of five principle plats and their re-subdivisions.... Read more
Year Built: Circa 1908 Architectural Style: Prairie School - Key Features: Horizontal Aesthetic Wide, Overhanging Eaves Low Pitch, Hipped Roof Designed by acclaimed Chicago Prairie School architect Robert Spencer Jr., this home was one of t... Read more

 

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