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Herron-Morton Place
Herron-Morton Place is a historically significant neighborhood situated two miles north of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and garnered the protection of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) in 1986.
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The Area
Roughly covering a 60 blocks, the neighborhood boundaries run from the north side of 16th Street to the south side of 22nd Street, and from Pennsylvania Street on the west to Central Avenue on the east.The Homes
The neighborhood features historically significant single-family and multi-family homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries blended with many new single-family homes.The Commercial Places
Also within the boundaries are several commercial buildings that provide places to work, eat, socialize and be entertained.Herron-Morton Place Park
Herron-Morton Place Park is located in the middle of the neighborhood on Alabama Street between 19th and 20th. A cornerstone project completed by the Herron-Morton Place Foundation in 2003, the park is an evocative tribute to the neighborhood’s history and spirit.
Visitors will notice a large granite boulder which was a gift by IPS School 45 in 1916 to commemorate Camp Morton, a prisoner of war camp during the Civil War. A bronze historic marker also identifies the use of the land during that time.
The park can be reserved for private events and parties. Please email us at herronmortonplacefoundation@gmail.com if you are interested.
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A Gathering Area
A large open-air pavilion at the rear of the property is available for group gatherings.A Nod to History
On a walkway past the pavilion, a raised planter gives a nod to the esplanades that lined Delaware, Alabama and New Jersey Streets between 19th and 22nd streets in the area’s early days. The only original esplanades remaining today are located on New Jersey Street.The Amenities
Other features of the park include a play area for children complete with swings, springy horses, slides, a climbing rock, and many other great playscape features. Blue and gray park benches and tables are in place for picnicking and landscaping adds beautiful natural interest.Living in a Historic District
Since its protection by the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) in 1986, all structures, both old and new, in Herron-Morton Place are treated as civic assets in architecture. Maintenance, renovation, and new construction of all structures must be reviewed by IHPC. Some projects do not require an application, but many require the property owner to complete an application and obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from IHPC.
The Preservation Plan
The historic preservation guidelines by which the Commission considers applications are unique to Herron-Morton Place, and can be found in the HMP Preservation Plan. (Neighbors commonly refer to this as “the Green Book,” because the print edition was distributed in a green 3-ring binder).
The Process
To determine if your project requires an application, or to begin a new application for maintenance, renovation, or construction with IHPC, email IHPC@indy.gov. A helpful Architectural Reviewer will be appointed to you. IHPC Staff offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in good design and historic preservation. Completing work without procuring a COA from IHPC could result in fines and a legal requirement to undo or redo work done without a permit.
The Land Use Committee
The Neighborhood Association also has a Land Use Committee, which participates in proceedings of IHPC as fellow stakeholders. This Committee also partners with IHPC on practices of historic preservation, and meets regularly with applicants of IHPC to review proposals. To attend a Land Use meeting or participate in this Committee, please email herronmortonplace@gmail.com.