Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission


The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for preserving historic areas and structures in Marion County, Indiana, United States. It oversees the exteriors of historic landmarks, such as ensuring that walls, light fixtures, roofing, etc., are stable and appropriate. Citizens of Indianapolis can apply to have the commission review and fix historic structures by applying for a certificate of appropriateness. The commission was established in 1967. It has a collection in the Indiana University Indianapolis library of digitized images of historically significant areas. The IHPC currently oversees 13 historic districts and 5 conservation areas.

History

In 1967, the IHPC was established by the state of Indiana. It currently holds 9 voting members, as well as 2 non-voting members, who all decide what will and will not be protected under the commission.

Historic Districts

Conservation Areas

  • Cottage Home Historical District originally included residential areas but also many work and shopping centers. It included a large German-American demographic as well as Irish-American and African-American.
  • Cumberland is another district with multiple parks and hiking trails, providing natural spaces and conservation areas. It was annexed in 1968.
  • Fayette Street Conservation Area is associated with both older black neighborhoods and the canal/white river. As such, it is considered a Water Landmark.
  • New Augusta is a district that contains houses, shopping centers, and schools. It is a part of Pike Township, and focuses its efforts towards preserving and conserving a historic community.
  • Ransom Place is a neighborhood that, in working with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIBI), developed a park containing native plants and trees. The Ransom Place Neighborhood Association was founded to support preservation.

Protected Properties

  • Askren House is a building originally housing the family of John Thomas Askren, who began building in 1828 and finished in 1850. The building now houses the Askern House Dinner Club, run by an Indiana chef.
  • The Church of the Holy Cross, Rectory, Gymnasium and School Building began as a school and slowly transitioned into a multi-purpose building over the years. It was built in 1896, and became fully formed by the 1980s before being shut down in 2014. Demolition has been discussed but, as of 2024, nothing has come of it.
  • The Drake Apartments were luxury apartments established in 1929. In 2023, it was purchased by the city of Indianapolis from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis for $1.02 million, with votes from the IHPC. The goal is to turn them into modern, affordable apartments.
  • Oldfields, or Lilly House and Gardens, is owned by the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. It was built in 1912, with expansive gardens and fountains, as well as a 22-room, 2-story manor. The house was purchased by the Lilly family in 1932, and given to the Indianapolis Art Association in 1967.
  • The Gramse or the Nicholson Historical Apartment, a bungalow built in 1915, is a historic apartment building, and is currently on track to become renovated, affordable housing. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
  • Hannah-Oehler-Elder-House is a "haunted" house located on Madison Avenue, claimed as such due to the death of the original owner, Alexander Hannah, and his wife. It was subsequently purchased by Roman Oehler and inherited by his daughter, Romena Oehler-Elder. The Elder family worked to have it placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
  • Hilbert Circle Theatre, on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapois, is the home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. It is the second-oldest building in the area, having opened for business in 1916 as the Circle Theatre and renovated several times since, in the 1930s, 1980s, and was renamed in 1996.
  • Hollingsworth House is a historic Indiana home built in 1954 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The land was purchased in 1828 and named after the buyer, George Hollingsworth. Seven rooms were added to the original four rooms in the early 1900s.
  • Pierson-Griffiths House, also known as Kemper House, was purchased and created by Charles Clark Pierson as a wedding gift for his wife. After nine months, it was bought and lived in by John Lewis Griffiths until 1914, when it was purchased by Eli Lilly and named after David Jackson Kempe.
  • Meridian Street Methodist Episcopal Church, also known as the Meridian Street United Methodist Church, was the first Methodist church in Indianapolis. The church first held services in 1819 and was formally organized n 1821. The congregation constructed its first church building in 1829, and moved several times before relocating to its current home on Meridian Street in 1947.
  • Morris–Butler House was built in 1864, after being purchased by John D. Morris. It was then purchased by Noble Chase Butler in 1881 and lived in by him and his daughter. It retains rare Victorian furnishings, art, and wallpaper, and is owned by Indiana Landmarks. It is used for office spaces and can also be rented out for small events.
  • Old City Hall was the Indianapolis city hall from 1909/1910 until the City-County Building opened in 1962. It later became the site of the Indiana State Museum and after that was the temporary main branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. It has not been utilized since then. The building was given a $66 million revitalization budget in April 2025.
  • P.R. Mallory Company Factory was built in 1921 by the General Electric Co. and purchased in 1929 by namesake Philip Rogers Mallory. After being shut down in 1979, it was unused and empty until 2018. It received $38 million to be renovated and was transformed into a school. it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.
  • Ruskaup-Ratcliffe House and Store is a building within the Cottage Home Historical District. Frederick Ruskaup purchased land in the neighborhood, building a two-story brick building, the ground floor serving as a grocery and the second serving as a home for himself and his family. The building was expanded in 1892, and the grocery was run by the Ruskaup family until the 1950s. It was then purchased and utilized by multiple other families as pool halls, storage, and commercial space before being renovated in 2007. A pop-up vintage shop was opened in it in 2014.
  • Union Station Grand Hall was the first Union Station built in America, connecting multiple states and five tracks to one station. The station was open from 1853 to 1970, when it stopped being utilized. It has since been restored and was previously turned into a market with over 100 restaurants and shops. It now functions as the Crowne Plaza Hotel, with a Grand Hall to be rented out for events.