Herron-Morton Place (Indianapolis, Indiana)

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www.herron-morton.org

Herron-Morton Place is an historical district north of downtown Indianapolis, 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 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.

• In 1859, the state purchased the land largely undeveloped, as a home for the Indiana State Fair.
• At the start of the Civil War, the area was used first as an induction center for Indiana volunteers and later as a prisoner of war camp.
• 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. Throughout this time, through World War II, many homes were divided into apartments.
• Throughout 1950-1970, many homes were lost to fire and demolition.
• 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.
• In 1983, HMP was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became an historical preservation district in 1986.