The ONS Historic District

Historic Significance. During the late nineteenth century, a residence in what was then the Northside of the City was a mark of success and affluence. While industry and its accompanying working-class neighborhoods sprang up to the south, west, and east of the original Mile Square boundaries of the City, the wealthy built their mansions in the wooded and rural setting to the north of the commercial and retail district.

Long since demolished, this mansion once stood at the northeast corner of Delaware Street and 13th Street. (Bass Photo)

The northward movement began as early as the late 1840s, but not until after the Civil War did the Northside see substantial development. From that time to the early 20th century, the area was the most fashionable place to live. After 1900, other areas still farther north were settled and the original Northside (which became "the Old Northside" by virtue of the migration) was supplanted by the region north of Fall Creek as the most prestigious residential area.

Museums. While most of the beautiful Victorian homes are privately owned, the Old Northside has two outstanding house museums, the President Benjamin Harrison Home , and the Morris-Butler House. They are both open to public, and offer a glimpse of life in the Victorian era.

Living in a Historic District: In the late 1970s, the City of Indianapolis adopted the Old Northside Historic Preservation Plan. Based upon this "master plan", the Old Northside (map) was designated an "historic area of Indianapolis-Marion County," giving the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) the authority to exercise "historic area review" over all design, demolition and exterior appearance changes that are undertaken in The Old Northside.

Old Northside Preservation Plan: All property in the ONS must be developed and maintained in accordance with the ONS preservation plan. Approvals must be received from the IHPC before work is commenced, or fines and penalties may be assessed. The IHPC guidelines govern the exterior appearances of all ONS properties, whether built in the 19th century or the 21st century. Property owners are limited in their use of colors, building materials and even landscaping. All exterior modifications must be sensitive to the historical nature of the area and have approval from the IHPC (usually in the form of a Certificate of Appropriateness).

Click here to download the:
Old Northside Preservation Plan
Please note: this is a 22Mb file! Also, this document was originally compliled in 1978, and has not made the transition to a digital format well.

Slightly more readable copies of the ONS Master Plan may also be purchased for $20.00, contact the ONS Treasurer.

What is the IHPC? In 1967, the Indiana General Assembly enacted IC 36-7-11.1, establishing and empowering the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission to preserve the character and fabric of historically significant areas and structures for all present and future citizens of Marion County, Indiana. The IHPC accomplishes this task by protecting areas through local designation and technical assistance on restoration and rehabilitation of historic structures or areas.

The IHPC is a nine-member, mayoral-appointed board with design and zoning review jurisdiction over the locally designated historic and conservation districts. Since 1976, the IHPC has had a professional staff that functions as a division of the Department of Metropolitan Development of the City of Indianapolis. The IHPC provides design and zoning review and approval for locally designated historic districts, conservation areas, and individually designated properties. The IHPC holds monthly public hearings to issue Certificates of Appropriateness, Rezonings, and Variances for work to be done in historic areas. The Commission usuallly meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 120 of the City-County Building

The IHPC staff is available to the public to provide technical information about the restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings. The staff can also provide design assistance and information about properties in Indianapolis historic districts and throughout Marion County.

ONS Land Use Committee: The Old Northside has created a "Land Use Committee" to help facilitate interaction between the IHPC applicants, the ONS neighborhood association, and IHPC. For detailed information on the Land Use Committee, please click here.

For More Information: For much more information on the IHPC and its requirements and services, see the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission's website.