Emerson Heights (Indianapolis, Indiana)

 neighborhood, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, draw only border

www.emersonheights.org

The Emerson Heights neighborhood dates to the 1910s, when developers purchased farmland on the edge of Indianapolis’s east side, divided it onto parcels, and began building Arts and Crafts-style homes on the lots. The developers established the boundaries of Emerson Heights as Tenth Street to the north, Michigan Street to the south, Linwood Avenue to west, and Emerson Avenue to the east. These remain the neighborhood’s boundaries today.

When Emerson Heights was founded, streetcars had been running to nearby Irvington for several years, but the rise of the automobile made the area even more accessible to residents moving out of the congested downtown . The real-estate company that developed Emerson Heights built quality homes at affordable prices, and this helped to attract the growing middle class to the neighborhood.

Location: On the Eastside, bounded by Linwood Avenue on the west, Emerson Avenue on the east, Washington Street on the south, and 16th Street on the north.

History: Area was developed from former farmland about 70 years ago. Emerson Heights Community Organization was started in the mid-1980s, when IPS closed a neighborhood school.

Style of homes: About half are single-family bungalows and half are small doubles, similar to "shotgun" houses, with one bedroom on each side. Most are frame houses, with a few brick ones mixed in. There are very few apartment buildings.

Amenities: Ellenberger Park and Brookside Park are adjacent to the neighborhood, which is part of Near East Side Community Organization.

Commute to Downtown: 15 minutes.

Schools: Indianapolis Public Schools, School 58 and Little Flower Catholic School; Scecina Catholic High School.

Neighborhood Association: Emerson Heights Community Organization.