Apartments and Flats of Downtown Indianapolis Thematic Resources
Encyclopedia
The Apartments and Flats of Downtown Indianapolis Thematic Resources is a multiple property submission of apartments on the National Register of Historic Places
in downtown Indianapolis
, Indiana
. The area is roughly bounded by Interstate 65
and Fall Creek
on the north, Interstate 65 and Interstate 70
on the east, Interstate 70 on the south, and Harding Street on the west.
was experiencing its greatest economic growth. The oldest property, the Sid-Mar, was built in 1887, while the youngest property, the Wyndham, was built in 1930.
The need for apartments in downtown Indianapolis came about as a result of the city's industrial development during the late 19th century, led by the railroad and automobile
industries, as well as Eli Lilly and Company
. Banking, retail, and educational institutions grew during this time as well. The growth in population in Indianapolis after 1880 was fueled mostly by rural people moving to the city, as opposed to foreign immigration. The city was attractive to people who wanted educational, financial, and social advancement. The apartments and flats built in the city were an affordable alternative for people who wanted to move to the city before marrying or having children. Single women were needed in the workforce during World War I
, so they found apartment dwelling acceptable. Young men moving from the countryside were moving away from living in boarding house
s and choosing apartments.
, with some use of Indiana limestone
used for ornamentation, lintels, and sills
. Most of the buildings are three stories high, except for a few that were considered "high-rises". There is not a lot of differentiation between architectural styles. Most of the buildings use Classical Revival design features with symmetric facade
s, pilaster
s, keystones
, and dentil
and modillion cornice
s. Other architectural styles popular at the time, such as Gothic Revival and Second Empire are absent. The Blacherne has a few elements of Richardsonian Romanesque
design, while a few bay window
s show influence of Queen Anne Style architecture
. Tudor Revival architecture began its influence in the 1920s, with the Dartmouth and the Wyndham as examples. The McKay, built in 1924, has Art Deco
detailing.
Initially, an apartment was defined as a suite of two or three rooms without a kitchen. These were popular with young men. A flat was defined as five to seven rooms, including a kitchen and a dining room, and were attractive to young married couples as well as retired couples. The distinction began to fade by the 1920s, and "apartment" became the label for any multi-unit rental properties.
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...
in downtown Indianapolis
Downtown Indianapolis
The term Downtown Indianapolis refers to the central business district of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The boundaries of downtown Indianapolis have varied over time as the city has grown. The city's original platted area, the Mile Square, is sometimes used to denote the downtown area...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The area is roughly bounded by Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
and Fall Creek
Fall Creek (Indiana)
Fall Creek is a non-navigable waterway in Indiana, and a tributary of the White River. It is long and has a watershed drainage area of in central Indiana before flowing into the White River in Indianapolis...
on the north, Interstate 65 and Interstate 70
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
on the east, Interstate 70 on the south, and Harding Street on the west.
History
The 36 properties included in the nomination are generally in the period from 1890 to 1930, when IndianapolisIndianapolis
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...
was experiencing its greatest economic growth. The oldest property, the Sid-Mar, was built in 1887, while the youngest property, the Wyndham, was built in 1930.
The need for apartments in downtown Indianapolis came about as a result of the city's industrial development during the late 19th century, led by the railroad and automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
industries, as well as Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly's global headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States...
. Banking, retail, and educational institutions grew during this time as well. The growth in population in Indianapolis after 1880 was fueled mostly by rural people moving to the city, as opposed to foreign immigration. The city was attractive to people who wanted educational, financial, and social advancement. The apartments and flats built in the city were an affordable alternative for people who wanted to move to the city before marrying or having children. Single women were needed in the workforce during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, so they found apartment dwelling acceptable. Young men moving from the countryside were moving away from living in boarding house
Boarding house
A boarding house, is a house in which lodgers rent one or more rooms for one or more nights, and sometimes for extended periods of weeks, months and years. The common parts of the house are maintained, and some services, such as laundry and cleaning, may be supplied. They normally provide "bed...
s and choosing apartments.
Architecture
A 1904 ordinance by the Indianapolis City Council outlawed wood-frame construction within the downtown area. All of these apartment buildings were built of brickBrick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
, with some use of Indiana limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
used for ornamentation, lintels, and sills
Sill plate
A sill plate or sole plate in construction and architecture is the bottom horizontal member of a wall or building to which vertical members are attached. Sill plates are usually composed of lumber. It usually comes in sizes of 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, and 2×10. In the platform framing method the sill plate...
. Most of the buildings are three stories high, except for a few that were considered "high-rises". There is not a lot of differentiation between architectural styles. Most of the buildings use Classical Revival design features with symmetric facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
s, pilaster
Pilaster
A pilaster is a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall. Most commonly flattened or rectangular in form, pilasters can also take a half-round form or the shape of any type of column, including tortile....
s, keystones
Keystone (architecture)
A keystone is the wedge-shaped stone piece at the apex of a masonry vault or arch, which is the final piece placed during construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the arch to bear weight. This makes a keystone very important structurally...
, and dentil
Dentil
In classical architecture a dentil is a small block used as a repeating ornament in the bedmould of a cornice.The Roman architect Vitruvius In classical architecture a dentil (from Lat. dens, a tooth) is a small block used as a repeating ornament in the bedmould of a cornice.The Roman architect...
and modillion cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
s. Other architectural styles popular at the time, such as Gothic Revival and Second Empire are absent. The Blacherne has a few elements of Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
design, while a few bay window
Bay window
A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room, either square or polygonal in plan. The angles most commonly used on the inside corners of the bay are 90, 135 and 150 degrees. Bay windows are often associated with Victorian architecture...
s show influence of Queen Anne Style architecture
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
. Tudor Revival architecture began its influence in the 1920s, with the Dartmouth and the Wyndham as examples. The McKay, built in 1924, has Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
detailing.
Initially, an apartment was defined as a suite of two or three rooms without a kitchen. These were popular with young men. A flat was defined as five to seven rooms, including a kitchen and a dining room, and were attractive to young married couples as well as retired couples. The distinction began to fade by the 1920s, and "apartment" became the label for any multi-unit rental properties.
Properties included in the nomination
There were 37 properties in the nomination. An additional eligible property, the Delmar, was demolished while the nomination was in progress. One of the 37 listed buildings, the St. Clair, was removed from the National Register in 1991.| Landmark name | Image | Date listed | Location | City or Town | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Alameda | 37 W. St. Clair St. 39°46′41"N 86°9′33"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 2 | The Alexandra | 402-416 N. New Jersey St. and 332-336 E. Vermont St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′2"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
An enlarged "Eastern" flat. | ||
| 3 | The Ambassador | 39 E. 9th St. 39°46′44"N 86°9′21"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 4 | The Baker | 310 N. Alabama St. and 341 Massachusetts Ave. 39°46′18"N 86°9′9"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 5 | The Blacherne | 402 N. Meridian St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′29"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1895 and owned by Lew Wallace Lew Wallace Lewis "Lew" Wallace was an American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, territorial governor and statesman, politician and author... , the Blacherne was a fashionable residential address for leaders in Indianapolis business and society. Wallace lived in the building during the city's winter social season. The success of this apartment building spurred the construction of many others during the ensuing decade. |
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| 6 | The Burton | 821-823 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′42"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 7 | The Cathcart The Cathcart The Cathcart is a historic apartment building located at 103 E. 9th St. in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It was built in 1909 amid an apartment-building boom in what is now central Indianapolis.... |
103 E. 9th St. 39°46′44"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 8 | The Chadwick | 1005 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′52"N 86°9′19"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 9 | The Colonial The Colonial (Indianapolis, Indiana) The Colonial in Indianapolis, Indiana is a complex of buildings. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.... |
126 E. Vermont St. and 402-408 N. Delaware St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′15"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 10 | The Dartmouth The Dartmouth (Indianapolis, Indiana) The Dartmouth is an apartment building in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Built in 1930, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.... |
221 E. Michigan St. 39°46′29"N 86°9′12"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 11 | Delaware Court | 1001-1015 N. Delaware St. 39°46′52"N 86°9′13"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1916-17 by developer George William Brown. | ||
| 12 | Delaware Flats | 120-128 N. Delaware St. 39°46′8"N 86°9′16"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1887. | ||
| 13 | The Devonshire | 412 N. Alabama St. 39°46′24"N 86°9′9"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 14 | The Emelie | 326-330 N. Senate Ave.and 301-303 W. Vermont St. 39°46′21"N 86°9′48"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 15 | The Glencoe | 627 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′35"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 16 | The Grover | 615 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′34"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 17 | The Harriett | 124-128 N. East St. 39°46′9"N 86°8′57"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 18 | The Lodge | 829 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′43"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1905 by developer E.G. Spink for Caleb N. Lodge, this is an example of the "Eastern" flat type. | ||
| 19 | The Martens | 348-356 Indiana Ave. 39°46′20"N 86°9′47"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 20 | The Massachusetts | 421-427 Massachusetts Ave. 39°46′24"N 86°9′3"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 21 | The Mayleeno | 416-418 E. Vermont St. 39°46′22"N 86°8′59"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 22 | The McKay The McKay The McKay is an Art Deco building in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.... |
611 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′33"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 23 | The Myrtle Fern | 221 E. 9th St. 39°46′44"N 86°9′11"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 24 | The Oxford | 316 E. Vermont St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′6"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 25 | The Pennsylvania | 919 N. Pennsylvania St. 39°46′46"N 86°9′19"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1906 by developer George William Brown, the Pennsylvania is an example of the "Eastern" flat type. | ||
| 26 | The Plaza | 902 N. Pennsylvania St. and 36 E. 9th St. 39°46′45"N 86°9′21"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 27 | The Rink | 401 N. Illinois St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′34"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 28 | The Savoy | 36 W. Vermont St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′32"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 29 | The Shelton | 825 N. Delaware St. 39°46′42"N 86°9′13"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 30 | The Sid-Mar | 401-403 Massachusetts Ave. 39°46′22"N 86°9′7"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1887. | ||
| 31 | The Spink | 230 E. 9th St. 39°46′45"N 86°9′10"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 32 | The Sylvania | 801 N. Pennsylvania St. and 108 E. St. Clair St. 39°46′41"N 86°9′20"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 33 | The Vienna | 306 E. New York St. 39°46′17"N 86°9′8"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built in 1908 by developer George William Brown. | ||
| 34 | The Wil-Fra-Mar | 318-320 E. Vermont St. 39°46′22"N 86°9′5"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
Built after 1887, the Wil-Fra-Mar is an early example of the "Eastern" flat type. | ||
| 35 | Wilson The Wilson The Wilson is a historic Renaissance Revival apartment building located at 643 Fort Wayne Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It was built in 1905 amid an apartment-building boom; more than fifty such apartment buildings were completed in what is now central Indianapolis in 1905... |
643 Ft. Wayne Ave. 39°46′34"N 86°9′17"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
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| 36 | The Wyndham | 1040 N. Delaware St. 39°46′56"N 86°9′14"W |
Indianapolis Indianapolis 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... |
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Center Township, Marion County, IndianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Center Township, Marion County, IndianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Center Township, Marion County, Indiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Center Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States...