This paper will discuss the development and architecture of an Indianapolis northside residential neighborhood. While the area was settled in the mid twentieth century. Consequently, the neighborhood has a broad spectrum of architectural styles ranging from pioneer vernacular Greek Revival to Tudor Revival.In spite of the fact that the area was the leading suburb of Indianapolis in the early twentieth century, little research has been done on the history and historic architecture of Meridian-Kessler. Examples of significant structures and architectural types will be presented in the context of the area. Elements or factors which unify the neighborhood will be discussed.Finally, the issues of historic preservation in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood will be examined. If the area is in fact historic, as the author believes then preservation measures are in order. The location and nature of the neighborhood pose a unique problem. Since the area is essentially a transitional urban/suburban district, methods of urban historic district preservation must be Modified for this special case. As historians and preservationists become reviewed. Historic increasingly aware of our early twentieth century heritage, a new terminology and approach must be acknowledged. This variation of a preservation or conservation district is termed by the author as "Suburban Preservation".Standard methods will be used to research and compose this thesis. For documentation of historic architecture, a series of Indianapolis Star articles titled "How Others Have Built" is an important source which must be a Thirty-eighth street Landmarks Foundation of Indiana is currently surveying the area; survey forms will provide much data on house types, styles and dates. Architectural archives, old records of firms active in the district and other published sources will provide further information. Planning data in the form of subarea plans andcooridor study have already been obtained for review. Plans for preservation districts in Indianapolis and other midwest cities will also be reviewed for possible application to Meridian-Kessler.Combined with field observations, the research should produce a document which places the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood in its proper historic context and aids in future planning for the area. / Department of Architecture
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/183581 |
| Date | January 1988 |
| Creators | Diebold, Paul C. |
| Contributors | Chewning, John A. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | [22], 149, [64] leaves : ill. (some folded) ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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