Learning the history of ones neighborhood seems to be becoming an increasingly important aspect of society as a whole. This is especially true with growing, expanding, and modernizing cities such as Indianapolis. As our city becomes something new, as it were, it’s important to remember what it was and how it got to where it is today. Some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city have a rich and quite interesting history that deems it blog-worthy. And hopefully, by blogging about such information, one can hope to spread the love about some on Indy’s most fascinating neighborhoods.
First, let’s run through some of the historic footnotes of both Willard Park and Holy Cross, followed by where these neighborhoods have ended up today.
PAST:
Willard Park
Willard Park was named for the founder of the Indiana School for the Deaf, William Willard. This massive complex opened in 1843 to a class of just 12 students taught by William himself, alongside his wife. It’s said that when the school first opened, William would ride around central Indiana on horseback seeking out new students. The school flourished quickly and eventually added a residential campus, solidifying it as an even more legitimate educational center for the deaf. This school was significant in the fact that it was the very first school in the U.S. to offer free education to deaf students and their families. Though the school closed it’s doors in 1907, it remains an important aspect of Willard Park as it literally laid the groundwork for a budding neighborhood in the landscape of modern Indianapolis. Once the school shutdown and moved to it’s current location on 42nd St, the city of Indianapolis purchased the land and began to build a park in 1913. What started off as a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a football field, now hold much more including an aquatic center, basketball courts, a fire station, and ample green space.
Holy Cross
Holy Cross neighborhood has its roots in religion having taken it’s name from the Holy Cross Catholic Church. As the church (and school) were at the center of this particular area at the time. It’s said that Holy Cross was one of the very first neighborhoods settled in Indianapolis during 1819-1820. The name of the man credited with this is a name that current Holy Cross neighbors will surely be familiar with, George Pogue. Like many aspects of life back then, simplicity reigned. Pogue simply found a spot he liked next to a creek and built himself a cabin. If the cabin we’re still standing today, it would be on the corner of Pogue’s Run Creek and Michigan Street. Since this was one of the first areas of Indianapolis that were settled, it was naturally an area inhabited by Native Americans, the Delaware Indians to be precise. In fact, it’s said that Pogue’s death can be attributed to these Indians. One day while searching for some missing horses, Pogue came across some members of the Delaware tribe and things turned ugly. Though Pogue did incur an untimely death, his name lives on as Pogue’s Run Creek.
PRESENT:
Willard Park
Today, Willard Park is ostensibly known as Indy’s greenest neighborhood. In addition to the 11 acres known as Willard Park which contain everything a neighborhood could want in a recreational area, this residential area boasts large home lots which provide even more green space. Aside from the fact that this neighborhood literally has a lot of green, it’s taken on a more environmental and social meaning these days. It’s residents are coming up with incredibly innovative and unique ways of solving some of the issues it currently faces. Take the Green Picket Fences Initiative for example, this program was started by two Willard park residents and incorporates neighbors direct involvement in the “greening” of their surroundings. With programs like Green Play which convert abandon city lots into mini-parks, and Green Architecture which are working with Riley Area Development Corporation to invest in the infrastructure of the neighborhood by helping sell abandon homes at highly discounted prices to single families. One of the more interesting aspects of the Green Picket Fences Initiative is what they’re calling the Green Shepard. This “picket” involves a goat, and an abandoned, overgrown lot. Here’s how it works: Place one goat in a lot and watch the happy guy or gal eat their way through an overgrown yard. This saves the city money, keeps the area looking nice, and ultimately helps in preventing vandalism and illegal dumping.
Holy Cross
Holy Cross is yet another Indy neighborhood on the brink of becoming something totally different than it once was, in a good way. While maintaining it’s historical integrity, Holy Cross has seen it’s neighborhood organizations and residents alike upgrade their homes to include modern stylings that are a stark, yet wonderful contrast to some of the older homes in the area. Holy Cross boasts a suburban feel, just outside downtown. Residents of this neighborhood include many who work directly downtown, allowing them to walk to work if they so desire. Holy Cross also contains Highland Park, which easily has the best view of the downtown skyline in the entire city! During the summer, Highland Park hosts great events including a gathering to watch the 4th of July fireworks, as well as summer movie nights outside on the lawn. For those looking to get more directly involved with their neighborhood, Holy Cross organizes neighborhood cleanups on a regular basis and even quarterly meetings so you can stay in the know and give your input on the happenings of your neighborhood.
As the past and the present come together, we’re able to get a very important outlook on these two wonderful Indianapolis neighborhoods. They say that the only constant is change, and that may be true, but as long as the great residents of Willard Park and Holy Cross continue looking ahead with positivity, it’s sure to be nothing but great changes to come.
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