Herron-Morton Place Historic District
Encyclopedia
Herron-Morton Place is a historic district
in Indianapolis, Indiana
, dedicated to restoration and renewal. The boundaries of the 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 start of the American Civil War
, the area was used first as an induction center for Indiana volunteers and later as a prisoner of war camp, named Camp Morton
. 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.
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.
Throughout this time, through World War II
, many homes were divided into apartments. Throughout 1950-1970, many homes were lost to fire and demolition.
In 1983, HMP was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and became a historic preservation district in 1986.
The Herron-Morton Place Neighborhood Foundation raises funds to maintain a historic neighborhood park and other beautification efforts throughout the neighborhood. The Foundation has recently purchased the Old Foundry building located at the corner of 16th and Alabama Street in the neighborhood. The building is in the process of being renovated and the Foundation is looking for business tenants.
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, dedicated to restoration and renewal. The boundaries of the 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.
History
In 1859, the state purchased the land largely undeveloped, as a home for the Indiana State FairIndiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is an annual fair held in Indianapolis, Indiana, usually in the month of August. The first fair was held in 1881 and the 2009 fair had the highest number of attendees at 973,902....
.
At the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the area was used first as an induction center for Indiana volunteers and later as a prisoner of war camp, named Camp Morton
Camp Morton
Camp Morton was a Union prisoner-of-war camp located in Indianapolis, Indiana during the American Civil War. It was named for Indiana governor Oliver Morton, who was the governor of Indiana during the War. It lasted from 1861-1865...
. 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.
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.
Throughout this time, through World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, many homes were divided into apartments. Throughout 1950-1970, many homes were lost to fire and demolition.
In 1983, HMP was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and became a historic preservation district in 1986.
Community
Since 1950, Herron-Morton Place has hosted the Talbot Street Art Fair, an annual juried art fair held on Talbott Street in June of each year. 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.The Herron-Morton Place Neighborhood Foundation raises funds to maintain a historic neighborhood park and other beautification efforts throughout the neighborhood. The Foundation has recently purchased the Old Foundry building located at the corner of 16th and Alabama Street in the neighborhood. The building is in the process of being renovated and the Foundation is looking for business tenants.