Nora, Indianapolis
Encyclopedia
Nora is a neighborhood on the north side of Indianapolis
, generally considered to be contained by Meridian Street
on the west, Castleton on the east, Ravenswood
to the south, and 96th Street (which forms the border between Marion
and Hamilton
counties) on the north. Nora has historically been an affluent neighborhood of Indianapolis and is home to North Central High School.
Peter Lawson named the area after his home parish in Sweden. He was born as Per Israelsson on March 29, 1828 in Blexbergstorp, Nora parish
, Örebro County
Sweden
. He emigrated in 1854 and from at least 1860 he is known to have lived in Washington Township
, Marion County
. In 1861 he was one of the founding members of the Union Church Washington Township
. Lawson died on October 29, 1884 and was buried on Crown Hill Cemetery
.
The locality of Nora grew around Peter Lawson's grocery store and post office. Soon there were more shops, smithys and a train station in the area. Nora Elementary School was opened in 1895.
About 150 people lived in Nora in the 1880s, but the area didn't become densely populated until the mid 1900s when it became a part of the expanding Indianapolis. Nora Plaza Shopping Center was built in 1959, a new post office was opened in 1961 and Nora Branch Library could open its doors in 1971. Nora Community Council was established in 1967.
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...
, generally considered to be contained by Meridian Street
Meridian Street (Indianapolis)
Meridian Street is the primary north-south street in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.Meridian Street was formerly aligned with US 31 for much of its length in the city of Indianapolis, before being re-routed to a segment of Interstate 465. The street delineates east addresses from west...
on the west, Castleton on the east, Ravenswood
Ravenswood (Indianapolis)
Ravenswood is located north of Broad Ripple Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, between 71st and 75th Street, and between Keystone Avenue and White River. In 1913, a flood caused the river channel to change its course slightly affecting the Beach near the Yacht Club.In the early 1900's,...
to the south, and 96th Street (which forms the border between Marion
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
and Hamilton
Hamilton County, Indiana
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 274,569. The county seat is Noblesville....
counties) on the north. Nora has historically been an affluent neighborhood of Indianapolis and is home to North Central High School.
History
The name Nora for this area can be traced back to December 1871 when the Swedish immigrant Peter Lawson was appointed postmaster at Nora. Lawson owned a grocery store that was situated at what is today the southwest corner of Westfield Boulevard and 86th Street.Peter Lawson named the area after his home parish in Sweden. He was born as Per Israelsson on March 29, 1828 in Blexbergstorp, Nora parish
Nora Municipality
Nora Municipality is a municipality in Örebro County in central Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Nora.The amalgamation leading to the present municipality took place already in 1967 and in 1971 the City of Nora became a unitary municipality.- Localities :* Dalkarlsberg* Gyttorp*...
, Örebro County
Örebro County
Örebro County is a county or län in central Sweden. It borders the counties of Västra Götaland, Värmland, Dalarna, Västmanland, Södermanland and Östergötland.- Province :...
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. He emigrated in 1854 and from at least 1860 he is known to have lived in Washington Township
Washington Township, Marion County, Indiana
Washington Township is one of the nine townships of Marion County, Indiana, located in the northern part of the county. The township is entirely within the city of Indianapolis. The 2005 population estimate was 132,927...
, Marion County
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
. In 1861 he was one of the founding members of the Union Church Washington Township
Washington Township, Marion County, Indiana
Washington Township is one of the nine townships of Marion County, Indiana, located in the northern part of the county. The township is entirely within the city of Indianapolis. The 2005 population estimate was 132,927...
. Lawson died on October 29, 1884 and was buried on Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery, located at 700 West 38th Street in Indianapolis, is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States at . It contains of paved road, over 150 species of trees and plants, over 185,000 graves, and services roughly 1,500 burials per year. It sits on the highest...
.
The locality of Nora grew around Peter Lawson's grocery store and post office. Soon there were more shops, smithys and a train station in the area. Nora Elementary School was opened in 1895.
About 150 people lived in Nora in the 1880s, but the area didn't become densely populated until the mid 1900s when it became a part of the expanding Indianapolis. Nora Plaza Shopping Center was built in 1959, a new post office was opened in 1961 and Nora Branch Library could open its doors in 1971. Nora Community Council was established in 1967.