North Irvington Gardens Historic District
Encyclopedia
The North Irvington Gardens Historic District is a place on the National Register of Historic Places
in Indianapolis, Indiana
. It was placed on the Register on June 27, 2008. It is immediately to the north of the Irvington Historic District
, which was already on the National Register since 1987, sharing the same east/west boundaries that the older district has (Arlington Avenue and Emerson Avenue respectively), and extends north to 10th and 11th Streets. It is mostly a neighborhood of residential buildings, with no one distinctive architectural style, including the historic Osborn Farm, dating from 1910 to 1950. Except for one church, only houses (843) and garages (551) are buildings contributing to the historic nature of the district. Most fences in the district mark the perimeter of the individual properties; very few are along the streets.
It was placed on the register for three reasons. First, it reflected residential development trends during its time of significance. Second, noted author Margaret Weymouth Jackson lived in the district between World War I
and World War II
. Finally, it reflected the various styles used in residence in a "textbook" manner, particularly "small houses".
One of the prominent buildings in the district is Harold's Steer-In, built in 1951, which is a contributing building even through it was built one year past the era of notability. Formerly the Northways Restaurant when it opened in 1951, and the Laughner's Cafeteria from the mid 1950's to 1964, when it gained the name Harold's Steer-In. Except for three weeks in 2004, when it appeared to have been closed for good until two employees invested in the restaurant and reopened it in time for a special Thanksgiving Day feast for loyal customers. It is one of the few surviving authentic drive-in
s left in Indianapolis, and people love to hang out there throughout the year. Peyton Manning
once filmed a commercial for MasterCard
in the building in 2005.
The Irvington Development Organization was the driving force for the attaining of National Register status to the district. Money from the Preserve America
grant given to the organization funded this effort.
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 Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
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...
. It was placed on the Register on June 27, 2008. It is immediately to the north of the Irvington Historic District
Irvington Historic District
The neighborhood of Irvington overlaps Irvington Historic District, a historic district in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both are in Indianapolis, Indiana. The historic district is a area that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987...
, which was already on the National Register since 1987, sharing the same east/west boundaries that the older district has (Arlington Avenue and Emerson Avenue respectively), and extends north to 10th and 11th Streets. It is mostly a neighborhood of residential buildings, with no one distinctive architectural style, including the historic Osborn Farm, dating from 1910 to 1950. Except for one church, only houses (843) and garages (551) are buildings contributing to the historic nature of the district. Most fences in the district mark the perimeter of the individual properties; very few are along the streets.
It was placed on the register for three reasons. First, it reflected residential development trends during its time of significance. Second, noted author Margaret Weymouth Jackson lived in the district between 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...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Finally, it reflected the various styles used in residence in a "textbook" manner, particularly "small houses".
One of the prominent buildings in the district is Harold's Steer-In, built in 1951, which is a contributing building even through it was built one year past the era of notability. Formerly the Northways Restaurant when it opened in 1951, and the Laughner's Cafeteria from the mid 1950's to 1964, when it gained the name Harold's Steer-In. Except for three weeks in 2004, when it appeared to have been closed for good until two employees invested in the restaurant and reopened it in time for a special Thanksgiving Day feast for loyal customers. It is one of the few surviving authentic drive-in
Drive-in
A drive-in is a facility such as a bank, restaurant, or movie theater where one can literally drive in with an automobile for service. It is usually distinguished from a drive-through. At a drive-in restaurant, for example, customers park their vehicles and are usually served by staff who walk out...
s left in Indianapolis, and people love to hang out there throughout the year. Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
once filmed a commercial for MasterCard
MasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
in the building in 2005.
The Irvington Development Organization was the driving force for the attaining of National Register status to the district. Money from the Preserve America
Preserve America
Preserve America is a United States government program, established under President George W. Bush, intended to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy the country's cultural and natural heritage....
grant given to the organization funded this effort.