 |
 |
 |
Neighborhood Information
Boundaries
- East: Meridian Street
- South: 16th Street
- West: White River
- North: 38th Street
History
From IUPUI
The history of the area now known as the UNWA began with the opening of
the Central Canal in 1839. About that time, Nathaniel West erected a cotton
mill near the spot where the Michigan Road crossed the canal; this led to a
small settlement known as Cottontown. The ill-fated Canal, which proved to
be inadequate both as a power source and as a transportation route, however,
did attract industry and settlement to the near west side of Indianapolis.
In 1873 the Udell Ladder Works, the North Indianapolis Wagon Works, and the
Henry Ocow Manufacturing Company all established a presence in the area.
This attracted additional people and businesses to the northern edge of the
capital and led to the platting of North Indianapolis that same year. The
incorporation of Crown Hill Cemetery in 1863 also produced a northward push
beyond the boundaries of the early city. A local street railway company
extended its lines with mule-drawn cars out to the cemetery located three
miles from the Circle. This enticed others to settle near the streetcar
station which also produced a small settlement, known as Mapleton.
Neighborhood Organizations
United Northwest Area Development Corporation: A community development corporation formed in 1979 northwest of downtown Indianapolis. Access to information from all sectors of this community is a key strength of the organization. Residents are involved in, and supportive of, the work of the CDC, which has primarily focused on housing (i.e., major repairs for owner-occupants, rehab to create affordable rental units, and a lease-to-buy program for first time homeowners). Smaller neighborhood organizations in the UNWADC area are the Northwest Neighborhood Planning and Development Corporation; the Riverside Civic League; the North West Way Civic Association; Neighbors Helping Neighbors; the Concerned Neighborhood Association, Inc.; and the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association. For more information, contact United Northwest Area Development Corporation, 1426 West 29th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208 or call 924-0199.
United Northwest Area, Incorporated (UNWA): A neighborhood umbrella organization northwest of downtown Indianapolis. This organization is a part of the NEI program. The service area of UNWA is in the United Northwest Area Development Corporation area. See description. For more information, contact United Northwest Area at 924-5786.
Plan Facilitation
Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center
Ball State University College of Architecture & Planning Indianapolis Center