Residents will have a chance to weigh in on efforts to preserve one of Indianapolis’ most significant Black neighborhoods.
The Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program and the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development will host afree public information session on July 23. The meeting will provide an overview of the effort to list the Martindale neighborhood in the National Register of Historic Places, a move that could help secure new protections and incentives for the area.
Founded in the 1870s, Martindale grew into a thriving center for the city’s Black community during a time of deep segregation and restricted access to housing, education and employment. Along Beeler Street (later renamed Martindale Avenue), Black families built homes, churches and schools, establishing a self-sufficient community rooted in resilience and pride.
Key landmarks such as Frederick Douglass Park, opened in 1921 as Indianapolis’ designated African American park, and St. Rita Catholic Church have served as cultural and spiritual centers.
Despite disinvestment and upheaval from urban renewal projects, Martindale has remained a symbol of strength for its residents and the broader city.
The proposed Martindale Historic District would be bordered by 30th Street to the north, 25th Street to the south, Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue to the west and Brouse Avenue to the east.
Presenters at the July 23 session include Paul Diebold of the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, historic preservation consultant Kurt Garner and local researcher and historian Anthony Conley. Eunice Trotter, director of the Black Heritage Preservation Program, will moderate the discussion.
Attendees will learn about the benefits of listing a district on the National Register, including access to grants, tax credits for property owners and increased potential for tourism and education.
The meeting will be from 5-7 p.m. on July 23 at Frederick Douglass Park Family Center (1616 East 25th St). Attendees can RSVP at indianalandmarks.org/martindale-information-session or by calling 317-639-4534.
For more about Indiana Landmarks’ statewide work to protect cultural heritage, visit www.indianalandmarks.org.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
