St. Joseph Neighborhood Preview

Year Built: 1875

Architecture Style: Queen Anne

Key Features:

• Decorative Masonry
• Spindle Porch Supports
• Decorative Timbering

One former resident of this home was William Fishback who was a law partner of Benjamin Harrison.
The Anton Vonnegut family rented the house in early 1920s

Year Built: 1929

Architecture Style: Tudor Revival

Key Features:

• Tall Narrow Windows
• Parapets
• Tudor Arch Door Surround
• Stone Work Decoration Above Doorway

Year Built: 1972

Architecture Style: Second Empire and Greek Revival

Key Features:

• Decorative Roof Line Elements
• Paired Porch Supports
• Tall Narrow Windows

Charles Pierson built this house as a wedding present to his wife. The architectural confection of Second Empire and Greek forms has garnered it the name “wedding cake house”. ​

Year Built: 1895

Architecture Style: Queen Anne

Key Features:

• Balconies
• Towers
• Turrets
• Projecting Bay Windows

The original owner was grandson & namesake of Calvin I Fletcher, a prominent banker and State Legislator. Calvin Fletcher III trained as a medical doctor, was a world traveler, and was a prolific photographer. He died in 1913 during an avalanche at Glacier National Park. Fletcher III kept a detailed diary which was later published by Indiana Historical Society.

Year Built: 1923

Architecture Style: Georgian Revival

Key Features:

• Buff Colored Brick
• Limestone Detialing
• Tuscan Columns at Entrance

The original building is now demolished now.

Chas Chadwick was the developer for the large building which was later named after him. The building had a classic, sophisticated style. The building was put on the National Historic register in 1983. Unfortunately, the Chadwick was destroyed in a fire in January 2011, and then delisted from the register.

Year Built: 1951

Architecture Style: International Style / Mid Century Modern

Key Features:

• Limestone Frame
• Polished Granite
• Ribbon Windows

Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) is a stellar program helping homeless Hoosier vets return to self-sufficiency. The neighborhood partners with the vets on numerous activities, including cleanup.

Year Built: 1927

Architecture Style: Tudor Revival

Key Features:

• Lead-Framed Diamond Shape Panes
• Decorative Timbering
• High Pitched Gable Roof

Looking across the street, you will see the Noseda Block. These four storefronts feature carved art deco flourishes in limestone. This was purchased from a 1949 Sears Roebuck catalog sales 1960s—70s

Year Built: 1960

Architecture Style: Tudor Revival

Key Features:

• Steeply Pitched Gables
• Timbering
• Decorative Brackets

Year Built: 1916

Architecture Style: Art Deco

Key Features:

• Decorative Frieze
• Terra Cotta Siding
• Parapets

Famed architecture firm Rubush & Hunter designed this building that shines with a decorative terra cotta facade. Around 1941, the building was home to an auto showroom and a Roller Land in the 1970s

Year Built: 1907

Architecture Style: Beaux Arts

Key Features:

• Bay Windows
• Full Entablature on Roof Line
• Elaborate Door Surround

This lovely building features many classic Beaux Arts elements, including an European courtyard and is a u-shaped building.

Year Built: 1923

Architecture Style: Romanesque and Art Nouveau Details

Key Features:

• Terra Cotta Detailing
• Parapets
• Multi-Square Paned Windows

Original Structure

Year Built: 1917

Architecture Style: Greek Revival

Key Features:

• Creek Colonade

The Central Library building was designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret. The Central Library Branch is part of the Indianapolis - Marion County Public Library system and is the largest branch. The library was founded in 1873 and has grown to include a Central Library building and 23 branch libraries spread throughout the county. The library attracts over four million visitors each year and circulates nearly 16 million items.

Addition

Year Built: 2007

Architecture Style: Contemporary

Key Features:

• Glass Walls
• Steel Frame
• Curved Wall

In 2001 the Indianapolis-based architectural firm of Woollen, Molzan, and Partners was commissioned to renovate the historic building. The planned $100 million project also included replacing a five-story addition with a new, six-story curved-glass and steel facility and atrium that connected to the Cret building.

Year Built: 1905

Architecture Style: Colonial Revival

Key Features:

• Fan Windows
• Bay Windows
• Column Supported Door Surround with Full Entablature

Upon death of his father, Caleb Lodge demolished the family home to build an apartment building on the lot. The neighborhood spent countless hours in Environmental Court saving the apartment building from demolition.

Year Built: 1909

Architecture Style: Arts and Crafts

Key Features:

• Tiled Door Overhang with Brackets
• Small Windows over Large Windows
• Parapet
• Decorative Masonry

This building is named for Charlotte “Pink” Cathcart who wrote Indianapolis From Our Old Corner.

The mural depicts Charlotte Cathcart, a resident of the neighborhood from late19th-mid 20th century. She wrote a diary, which was later published, containing her recollections of early Indianapolis. The text on the mural refers to a phrase from one of her letters.

Year Built: 1906

Architecture Style: Colonial Revival

Key Features:

• Arched Door with Fan Light
• Decorative Masonry On Roof Line
• Limestone Elements

This building is arranged in an Eastern flats style with double-H floor plan. It was built by Vienna & Delaware Cts.

Year Built: 1981

Architecture Style: Contemporary

Key Features:

• Angled Parapet
• Brick Facade
• Low Pitched Roof

The VOA is a community corrections program for women. Historic site, not building, of May Wright Sewall’s Girl’s Classical School. Sewall was a suffragette who founded Indianapolis Propyleaum.

Year Built: Circa 1910

Architecture Style: Tudor Revival

Key Features:

• Decorative Tudor Arch over Windows and Doors
• Decorative Masonry
• Balcony Supports

Year Built: 1869

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Banded Arch Porch Supports
• Decorative Brackets and Low Pitched Roof
• Limestone Details
• Elaborate Windows Surrounds

This building is an exuberant, high-style Italianate. It reflects an Italian Villa interpretation of the style. It was a funeral home for most of 20th Century, Hisey & Titus Mortuary.
The holding room for the deceased remains intact in basement. Upon his death, Charles Bals, passed the business to his daughter Mrs. Wocher.

Year Built: 1863

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Decorative Brackets and Low Pitched Roof
• Tall, Narrow Windows with Crowns
• Large Porch

Florist business and greenhouse to the west, now an addition to Bals-Wocher Funeral Home. It was once home to Henry Hilker’s City Flower Garden. Henry Hilker was a gardner at the Indiana Blind Asylum, then located on the American Legion Mall. Note the recreation of the classical porch.The original was removed in the 1970’s.

Year Built: 1955 & 1964

Architecture Style: Modern

Key Features:

• Limestone Facade
• Low-Pitched Roof

In 1955, the southernmost portion was erected for office space. In 1964, a 480-seat sanctuary and outer lobby were constructed. The Unity Center is a non-denominational church.It is affiliated with the Unity School of Christianity.

Year Built: Circa 1866

Architecture Style: Gable Front with Queen Anne Details

Key Features:

• Jewel Tone Paint
• Spindle Porch Supports
• Decorative Brackets

This carpenter cottage was constructed in the 19th century.

Year Built: 1920

Architecture Style: Modern

Key Features:

• Brick Construction
• Decorative Masonry
• Multi-Paned Windows

Incredible restoration of an UGLY building. A sheet metal band wrapped both facades, possibly a former sign board. The one-story portion was the service area. The Promotion Co produces family events such as rodeos, and car races.

The building was formerly occupied by the Indianapolis Tire Company.

Vintage White Castle Building #3

Further down Delaware Street is the third oldest White Castle in the United States. If you're interested, visit it at 660 Fort Wayne Avenue. The last photograph is of this building when it was in operation in 1927.

Year Built: 1925

Architecture Style: Unit Slab

Key Features:

• Elaborate Door Surround
• Battlement Style Parapet
• Tall, Narrow Windows

Charles Foster worked with Frank Lloyd Wright prior to moving to Indianapolis in 1919 and that design collaboration employed the 'unit slab construction' design concept—years ahead of its time. This enabled quicker construction.
New renovation today: 16 – 1 and 2 bedroom condos.

Year Built: 1901

Architecture Style: Queen Anne

Key Features:

• Towers
• Simple Window Crowns
• Decorative Windows and Doors

Probably finest examples of row houses in Indianapolis. Designed is simplified, Queen Anne style, 7 unit 2-story brick. Especially popular with widows & single men. The space was a brothel in later years.

Year Built: 1914

Architecture Style: Arts and Crafts Details

Key Features:

• Detailed Parapet
• Decorative Door Surround
• Simple Facade

This building was a former residential hotel for single men.

Year Built: 1864

Architecture Style: Gable Front

Key Features:

• Corner Door
• Tall Narrow Windows with Segmental Arch
• Brick Construction

This building was once home to a grocery store. In 1922, Standard Grocery purchased the building. Note the ghost sign for Owl Cigars.

Year Built: 1863

Architecture Style: Colonial Revival

Key Features:

• Decorative Siding
• Segmental Arched Windows
• Corner Entryway

This home butts up to The Seminole Apartments. Circa 1887, the house gained an east wing and “L” plan veranda.

Year Built: 1875

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Tall Narrow Windows
• Decorative Brackets
• Low Pitched Roof

Year Built: 1874

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Crowns Above Windows
• Decorative Brackets
• Spindle Porch Supports

The “L” shaped plan accommodates aside porch.

Year Built: 1900 & 1890

Architecture Style: Gable Ell

Key Features:

• "L" Shaped Floor Plan
• Spindle Porch Supports
• Decorative Brackets
• Unique Colors

311 East 10th (pink) was moved from the 200 block 11th Street. 321 East 10th (blue) was moved from 918 N Alabama. It is now next door to the Seminole.

Year Built: 1870

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Arched Doorways
• Limestone Lintels
• Attic Vents

The building was originally home to a grocer and dry goods store. Currently, it is a nicely renovated building with retail on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors. It was listed on the National Historic Register in 1988.

Year Built: 1895

Architecture Style: Colonial Revival

Key Features:

• Parapet
• Elaborate Door Surround with Crown
• Large Banded Windows

Originally, the building was constructed for a clothing manufacturer. For many years, the building was occupied by Central Restaurant Supply. At one point, a third floor bridge connected the building to the Buschmann Block.

Today, the building is market rate and affordable housing.

Note the new building to the north, which was intentionally setback with an European motor court so as not to obscure the historic 1010 building.

Year Built: 1902

Architecture Style:

Key Features:

Originally named Tuttle Terrace in honor of the builder. The name changed in the 1920s.

The apartments were "unsympathetically remuddled" in 1970s; including metal replacement doors and a vanilla box.

The mural was a product of a coordinated effort with the Arts Council, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, City of Indianapolis, Lilly Day of Service, and historic neighborhoods. In additon to the mural, colored LED lights were installed.
The neighborhood created a ‘broom brigade’ to keep it clean. This is another project with the HVAF Hoosier vets!

Year Built: 1908

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Bay Windows
• Ribbon Windows
• Decorative Brackets
• Low Pitched Roof

The Ottis Building has five storefronts wit five apartments above. It housed a variety of businesses; bakery, grocery & drug store in 1913. An extensive renovation occurred in 1993.

Year Built: 1908

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Bay Windows
• Decorative Frieze
• Elaborate Full Height Door Surround

Year Built: 1905

Architecture Style: Colonial Revival

Key Features:

• Fan Light
• Decorative Window Leading
• Central Pediment

Year Built: Circa 1877

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Attic Level Windows
• Tall Narrow Windows with Crowns
• Decorative Woodwork on Porch
• Jewel Tone Aesthetic

Year Built: 1865

Architecture Style: Gable Front

Key Features:

• Decorative Brackets
• Side Porch
• Clapboard Siding

Lovely restoration by former neighborhood association president, Ben Langebartels.

Year Built: 1910

Architecture Style: American Foursquare

Key Features:

• Large Bay Window with Pyramidal Roof
• Woodwork on Porch
• Large Porch

“Itinerate’ photographer, Mr. Baker, traveled the city to photograph children on his pony, and sell black and white glossy prints to their parents, a popular practice. His darkroom housed in his garage. The studio was named “Universal Studios”, and utilized the basement entry door for patrons.

Year Built: 1875

Architecture Style: Italianate

Key Features:

• Tower
• Low Pitched Roof with Decorative Brackets
• Tall, Narrow Windows

Year Built: 1855

Architecture Style: Gable Front

Key Features:

• Symmetrical Facade
• Tall, Narrow Doors and Windows
• Decorative Brackets

This home served as a double residence until the 1960s, then it was vacant for a decade. The home was restored in the 1980s.

Year Built: 1899

Architecture Style: Roman Renaissance

Key Features:

• Central Dome
• Large Arched Stained Glass Windows
• Ribbon Lights over Doors

The Peoples Temple moved into the former home of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation in 1958.

To learn more about Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, read this article by Historic Indianapolis : https://historicindianapolis.com/the-devil-in-the-old-northside-2/

Year Built: 1921

Architecture Style: Arts and Crafts

Key Features:

• Multi Paned Windows with Green Trim
• Decorative Brackets
• Sidelights on Door Surround

Daniel Marmon, founder of IPL, and president of Nordyke Marmon, a manufacturer of automobiles, including the famous “Marmon Wasp”, winning the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911.
(Driven by Ray Harroun, an engineer for the company.)

This is the last stop on our tour!

Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis and Indiana Landmarks thanks you for joining us! Consider taking one of our other fantastic tours on PocketSights!