The Official Website of the City of Indianapolis and Marion County

During the late nineteenth century, a residence in what was then the Northside of the city became a mark of success and affluence.  While industry and its accompanying working-class neighborhoods sprang up to the south, west, and east of the original Mile Square boundaries of the city, the wealthy built their mansions in the wooded and rural setting to the north of the commercial and retail district.  The northward movement began as early as the late 1840s, but not until after the Civil War did the Northside see substantial development.   From that time to the early 20th century, the area was the most fashionable place to live.  After 1900, other areas still farther north were settled and the original Northside (which became the Old Northside by virtue of the migration) was supplanted by the region north of Fall Creek as the most prestigious residential area.  During the last half of the 19th century, the Old Northside was the home of the principal leaders of Indianapolis social, political, commercial, and industrial life, as well as the location of leading religious and educational institutions.