Legacy Allies Neighborhood Bus Tour
Our Legacy Allies crew led a neighborhood bus tour sharing the stories, history, and people foundational to the communities they’re from. If you are intrigued by the history of Black Indianapolis neighborhoods, grab a coffee or a tea and take a trip down memory lane with us!
We promise you will learn something new about the Martindale-Brightwood, Northwest Landing, and Norwood neighborhoods.
In this blog, we’ve shared the highlights and several special moments from the tour.
Norwood
Norwood is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Indianapolis. Neighbors recently celebrated the community’s 153rd birthday this year.
Stops:
Penick Chapel AME Zion Church
Helping Hands Norwood Garden
New Homes on Madeira
Pride Park
“Welcome to the best of the Southside!” - William, Norwood neighbor
Penick Chapel AME Zion Church
The church was established in 1889 by Rev. Sydney Penick ,a veteran of the KY 116th Colored Regiment who escaped slavery at age 13. Penick is the grandfather of local Norwood resident and historian, Miss Flinora Frazier, who passed away recently. Before her passing, Miss Flinora worked tirelessly over the years to document Norwood history. You can learn more about Norwood’s historical preservation at southsideusct.org.
(Penick Chapel AME Zion Church, 1915 - Credit: The Southside USCT Coalition View Source)
New Homes on Madeira
Brenda McAtee, President of the Norwood Neighborhood Association shared through SEND (Southeast Neighborhood Development) affordable homes are currently priced around $155K and they have seen several new families move in on the 1200 block of Madeira and Vandeman Street.
Helping Hands Garden
The Helping Hands Garden was created by the Southside USCT to be a space to gather, feed, and educate neighbors on gardening. William shared that kids in the neighborhood have learned how to take care of their own garden beds and that volunteers helped to paint the garden boxes vibrant colors to identify them as the neighborhood's community garden.
Fresh produce grown in the garden has included an assortment of corn, pepper, tomatoes, herbs, cabbage, carrots, and much more. William also shared that the garden has fed over 450 people this year!
Pride Park Community Center
As the bus pulled up to Norwood’s Pride Park Community Center, Brenda directed us to a large empty greenspace across the street. She shared that the neighborhood has been wanting to use that space as another park for the past few years. The property was owned by local painter, John Wesley Hardrick.
In 2022, the city of Indianapolis proposed a morgue and forensics lab on the Hardrick property and the residents of Norwood came together to fight back against the morgue and to protect the land.
In addition to a park, neighbors would also like to some day house a museum on the land that shares the rich history of the neighborhood.
The Pride Park Community Center is painted with vibrant colors and text that spells out “We Are One”. Brenda shared the several reasons that the center is a community hub striving to create a safe space for connection. The building has worn different hats through the history of the neighborhood, including a school and a restaurant.
Some of the opportunities and amenities include a walking club and bingo night for seniors, recreational space and a playground for kids, programming focused on art and theatre, nature activities, chess nights, movie nights, and more.
Book Recommendation
“The Norwood Trouble” By Maurice Broaddus, a local author. Check out his work at mauricebroaddus.com.
Check out interviews from Norwood neighbors:
Northwest Landing
As the group traveled to the Northwest Landing neighborhood, neighbors got on the mic to perform karaoke along the way.
Northwest Landing neighbor, Lora, walked everyone through the several historical destinations in the neighborhood.
Stops:
Watkins Park
Flanner House
Cleo’s Bodega
Elder Diggs School #42
Pa & Ma’s Backyard BBQ
First Baptist Church North Indianapolis
Fire Station Annex
Frank Young Park
Aspire House/Former Hose House No. 23
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
Pilgrim Baptist Church
Library Branch No. 1
Bertha Ross Park
Historic Crown Hill Cemetery
Watkins Park & Flanner House
Watkins Park, formerly Northwestern Park and renamed after Rev. Charles T.H. Watkins, was once a gathering place for The Negro Baseball League Indianapolis ABCs and later the Indianapolis Clowns.
(Indianapolis ABCs, 1915 Credit: Indianapolis Public Library View Source)
Flanner House, the nonprofit and community center has been serving families for over 120 years. The organization has a childcare center, health programs, Cleo’s Bodega, and the Ujama bookstore.
Aspire House & Artful Journey Studio
Aspire House is an historic firehouse turned community center that has a gathering space, kitchen, and four apartment lofts. It was built in 1897 and was known as Engine House No. 9 and later Hose House No. 23. Just across the street is the Artful Journey Studio with additional affordable housing and a workshop for art classes. The Aspire House campus also features a public arts corridor with unique statues created by the Herron School of Art and Design students from Indiana University Indianapolis.
(Aspire House Urban Bloom event Credit: Aspire Higher Foundation View Source)
Sculpture on Aspire House Campus
(Credit: Aspire Higher Foundation View Source)
Library & Historic Crown Hill Cemetery
Our last couple trips in the Northwest Landing neighborhood included Library Branch No. 1 and the Historic Crown Hill Cemetery. The Library was built in 1906 with local funds at 3101 N. Clifton St. It has since closed down, but according to Lora, it was a gathering space that supported several Black families in the community.
The cultural landmark, Crown Hill Historic Cemetery was built post Civil War in 1863 and spans more than 500 acres. Lora shared that several famous people and historical figures have been buried there in the over 150 years it has been established.
(Indianapolis Public Library Branch #1 ,Credit: Historic Indianapolis View Source)
Check out interviews from Northwest Landing neighbors:
Martindale Brightwood
Stops:
Frederick Douglass Family Center
Oasis of Hope Baptist Church
Edna Martin
Mike’s Variety Store
Narrating our trip through Martindale-Brightwood included neighborhood elders, Shirley and Diane.
Frederick Douglass Park & Frederick Douglass Park Family Center
(Frederick Douglass Park Family Center, Credit: Indy Parks View Source)
We passed Frederick Douglass Park on our way to the Frederick Douglass Park Family Center which the group learned was created in the 1920s and was an important space for African American neighbors during segregation in Indianapolis.
The group stopped at the Family Center to hear more about the historical and cultural significance of the largest park center in Indianapolis.
“Douglass Park has provided a place for African American residents to enjoy sports, spending time with family, building friendships, and developing a sense of community and belonging.” - Art, Martindale-Brightwood neighbor
The new family center opened in May of 2024 and became a passion project for many local residents as it was developed.
“Neighbors and churches came together to make sure the property was safe and to make it happen!” - Shirley, Martindale-Brightwood neighbor
Oasis of Hope Baptist Church
(Oasis of Hope Baptist Church in the 1980s, Credit: Indianapolis Public Library View Source)
The Oasis of Hope Baptist Church was the first African American-led church in Indianapolis that built a physical building for worship. Shirley shared that the church has been a gathering space for neighbors to gather for recent data center decisions.
Edna Martin Christian Center
“This is where I got my first singing career! When I was in preschool at Edna Martin Christian Center many, many years ago!” - Diane, Martindale-Brightwood neighbor
Edna Martin Christian Center has been a pillar in the community by supporting families for 85 years. The organization offers youth programming, education, food assistance, workforce development, and community events. The Center shares the site with KIPP Indy Legacy High School.
“They do a great job hiring administrators, counselors, and teachers that look like the students they serve.” - Shirley, Martindale-Brightwood neighbor
Check out interviews from Martindale-Brightwood neighbors:
The Legacy Allies Neighborhood Tour was an inspiring space for neighbors to reconnect with their own communities and learn more about others. It was a reminder of the incredible work of the hardworking neighbors before us putting their heart and soul into building the neighborhoods and opportunities we see today.
Photo Album
