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Ransom Place Historic District: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 39°46′44″N 86°10′11″W / 39.77889°N 86.16972°W / 39.77889; -86.16972
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{{short description|Historic district in Indiana, United States}}
{{short description|Historic district in Indiana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Ransom Place Historic District
| name = Ransom Place Historic District
| nrhp_type = hd|nocat = yes
| nrhp_type = hd
| nocat = yes
| image = Camp Street in Ransom Place.jpg
| image = Ransom Place Historical Marker.jpg
| caption = Camp Street in Ransom Place, April 2011
| caption = Section of the Ransom Place historical marker at the corner of St. Clair and Camp streets in Indianapolis
| location= Roughly bounded by 10th, St. Clair, West and Camp Sts., [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
| location = Roughly bounded by 10th, St. Clair, West and Paca Sts., [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
| coordinates = {{coord|39|46|44|N|86|10|11|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39|46|44|N|86|10|11|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = USA Indianapolis central#USA Indianapolis#Indiana#USA
| locmapin = USA Indianapolis central#USA Indianapolis#Indiana#USA
| architecture = Queen Anne, L-Plan Cottage
| architecture = Queen Anne, L-Plan Cottage
| added = December 10, 1992
| added = December 10, 1992
| area = {{convert|6|acre}}
| area = {{convert|6|acre}}
| refnum = 92001650<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
| refnum = 92001650<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Ransom Place Historic District''' is a national [[historic district (United States)|historic district]] located at [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]. The district encompasses 74 contributing buildings in a historically African-American residential section of Indianapolis around [[Indiana Avenue]]. It was developed between about 1890 and 1942, and includes representative examples of [[Queen Anne style architecture|Queen Anne]] style architecture. Notable buildings include the Light of the World Christian Church (1910).<ref name="SHAARD">{{cite web| url = https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/welcome.html| title = Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) | publisher = Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology | format = Searchable database| access-date = 2016-08-01}} ''Note:'' This includes {{cite web| url =https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/20cc6/N/Ransom_Place_HD_Marion_CO_Nom.pdf| title = National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Ransom Place Historic District| access-date = 2016-08-01| author=Suzanne T. Rollins|format = PDF| date=April 1992}}, [https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/31b80/N/Ransom_Place_HD_MAP.pdf Site map], and Accompanying photographs</ref>
'''Ransom Place Historic District''' is a national [[historic district (United States)|historic district]] in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], United States. The district consists mainly of a six-square block in a historically Black residential section of Indianapolis, located just one block from [[Indiana Avenue]]. It was originally developed during the 1880s and 1890s, coinciding with the growth of Indiana Avenue as the central commercial district for Indianapolis's Black population at that time. It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1992.<ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web |author= |date=December 10, 1992 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Ransom Place Historic District |url={{NRHP url|id=92001650}} |accessdate=April 10, 2023 |publisher=[[National Park Service]]}} With {{NRHP url|id=92001650|photos=y|title=accompanying pictures}}</ref><ref name="nris" />


== Historical significance ==
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.<ref name=nris/>
[[File:Panel of Ransom Place Historic Marker featuring Second Christian Church.jpg|thumb|Panel of Ransom Place Historic Marker featuring Second Christian Church (photo taken in 1913)|alt=Panel of Ransom Place Historic Marker featuring Second Christian Church (photo taken in 1913)|left]]
At its peak, Ransom Place (although not known as "Ransom Place" at that time) was the site of numerous Black-owned businesses, including churches, clubs, community centers, restaurants, shops, and theaters. Many residents had prominent careers as well.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-05 |title=Ransom Place |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/ransom-place/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=indyencyclopedia.org |language=en-US}}</ref> The best-known resident of this area was [[Freeman Ransom]], a lawyer, businessman, and civil rights activist who also worked with [[Madam C. J. Walker|Madame C. J. Walker]] as her legal counsel and the general manager of her company.<ref name="nrhpdoc" /> His son, [[Willard Ransom]] also lived in the neighborhood, and he worked as a local chapter president of the [[NAACP]] in the 1940s and 1950s.<ref name="nrhpdoc" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Willard B. (Mike) Ransom |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/willard-b-mike-ransom/ |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |language=en-US}}</ref>

The district was officially renamed to Ransom Place in 1992 in Freeman Ransom's honor.<ref>"Ransom Place Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 3 June 2012.</ref> This district was designated as "most intact neighborhood associated with [the] city's African-American population" by the [[Indiana Historical Bureau]] in Ransom Place's historical marker.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IHB |date=2020-12-07 |title=Ransom Place Historic District |url=https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/ransom-place-historic-district/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=IHB |language=en}}</ref>

== Decline and restoration ==
By the 1950s, when the Indiana Avenue community began to decline as other opportunities drew Black residents away, the area became a target for razing by the city of Indianapolis. Starting in the 1960s and continuing into the 1980s, city leaders worked with [[Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis]] (IUPUI) to clear land for the expansion of the university.
[[File:Camp Street in Ransom Place.jpg|thumb|Houses along Camp Street in Ransom Place, taken in 2011|alt=Houses along Camp Street in Ransom Place, taken in 2011|left]]
Due to community worry about the possibility of continued growth of IUPUI, residents Lathan Frayser, Addie Jones, Wilma Bailey, Mary Frisby, Jean Spears, and Teresa Crawford-Cottingham formed the Ransom Place Neighborhood Association (RPNA) in August 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-02-06 |title=Ransom Place recognized as Neighborhood of the Month |url=https://indianapolisrecorder.com/838e2c5a-ec7e-11e6-ac75-072c18f552a1/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Indianapolis Recorder |language=en-US}}</ref> This was the first recorded use of "Ransom Place" as the name of the district.<ref name=":0" />

This [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] focused on encouraging preservation of Ransom Place homes and promoting the neighborhood's history. After gaining recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, the neighborhood experienced a revitalization effort throughout the rest of the decade.<ref name=":0" /> Today, the association hosts many community events, helps fund property improvements, and operates a community garden.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ransom.Place |url=https://www.ransom.place/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Ransom.Place |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
The architecture of the district includes many representative examples of [[Queen Anne style architecture]]. A notable building in this district is the former Second Christian Church, which was used from 1910 to 2003 until the congregation relocated to a new building near the [[Butler University]] campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Light of the World Christian Church |url=https://www.lovelwcc.org/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=www.lovelwcc.org}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of Indianapolis neighborhoods]]
*[[List of African-American neighborhoods]]


==References==
==References==
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{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
{{Historic Places in Indianapolis}}
{{Historic Places in Indianapolis}}

__FORCETOC__


[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana]]
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[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Indianapolis]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Indianapolis]]
[[Category:African-American history of Indianapolis]]
[[Category:African-American history of Indianapolis]]


{{MarionCountyIN-geo-stub}}
{{MarionCountyIN-NRHP-stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:15, 14 April 2024

Ransom Place Historic District
Section of the Ransom Place historical marker at the corner of St. Clair and Camp streets in Indianapolis
Ransom Place Historic District is located in Indianapolis
Ransom Place Historic District
Ransom Place Historic District is located in Indianapolis
Ransom Place Historic District
Ransom Place Historic District is located in Indiana
Ransom Place Historic District
Ransom Place Historic District is located in the United States
Ransom Place Historic District
LocationRoughly bounded by 10th, St. Clair, West and Paca Sts., Indianapolis, Indiana
Coordinates39°46′44″N 86°10′11″W / 39.77889°N 86.16972°W / 39.77889; -86.16972
Area6 acres (2.4 ha)
Architectural styleQueen Anne, L-Plan Cottage
NRHP reference No.92001650[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 10, 1992

Ransom Place Historic District is a national historic district in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The district consists mainly of a six-square block in a historically Black residential section of Indianapolis, located just one block from Indiana Avenue. It was originally developed during the 1880s and 1890s, coinciding with the growth of Indiana Avenue as the central commercial district for Indianapolis's Black population at that time. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.[2][1]

Historical significance

[edit]
Panel of Ransom Place Historic Marker featuring Second Christian Church (photo taken in 1913)
Panel of Ransom Place Historic Marker featuring Second Christian Church (photo taken in 1913)

At its peak, Ransom Place (although not known as "Ransom Place" at that time) was the site of numerous Black-owned businesses, including churches, clubs, community centers, restaurants, shops, and theaters. Many residents had prominent careers as well.[3] The best-known resident of this area was Freeman Ransom, a lawyer, businessman, and civil rights activist who also worked with Madame C. J. Walker as her legal counsel and the general manager of her company.[2] His son, Willard Ransom also lived in the neighborhood, and he worked as a local chapter president of the NAACP in the 1940s and 1950s.[2][4]

The district was officially renamed to Ransom Place in 1992 in Freeman Ransom's honor.[5] This district was designated as "most intact neighborhood associated with [the] city's African-American population" by the Indiana Historical Bureau in Ransom Place's historical marker.[6]

Decline and restoration

[edit]

By the 1950s, when the Indiana Avenue community began to decline as other opportunities drew Black residents away, the area became a target for razing by the city of Indianapolis. Starting in the 1960s and continuing into the 1980s, city leaders worked with Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) to clear land for the expansion of the university.

Houses along Camp Street in Ransom Place, taken in 2011
Houses along Camp Street in Ransom Place, taken in 2011

Due to community worry about the possibility of continued growth of IUPUI, residents Lathan Frayser, Addie Jones, Wilma Bailey, Mary Frisby, Jean Spears, and Teresa Crawford-Cottingham formed the Ransom Place Neighborhood Association (RPNA) in August 1991.[7] This was the first recorded use of "Ransom Place" as the name of the district.[3]

This nonprofit focused on encouraging preservation of Ransom Place homes and promoting the neighborhood's history. After gaining recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, the neighborhood experienced a revitalization effort throughout the rest of the decade.[3] Today, the association hosts many community events, helps fund property improvements, and operates a community garden.[8]

Architecture

[edit]

The architecture of the district includes many representative examples of Queen Anne style architecture. A notable building in this district is the former Second Christian Church, which was used from 1910 to 2003 until the congregation relocated to a new building near the Butler University campus.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Ransom Place Historic District". National Park Service. December 10, 1992. Retrieved April 10, 2023. With accompanying pictures
  3. ^ a b c "Ransom Place". indyencyclopedia.org. January 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Willard B. (Mike) Ransom". Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. February 5, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Ransom Place Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. ^ IHB (December 7, 2020). "Ransom Place Historic District". IHB. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Ransom Place recognized as Neighborhood of the Month". Indianapolis Recorder. February 6, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  8. ^ "Ransom.Place". Ransom.Place. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Light of the World Christian Church". www.lovelwcc.org. Retrieved March 9, 2023.