INDIANAPOLIS — Mayor Joe Hogsett announced this week that Holy Cross is the city’s Neighborhood of the Month for December 2019. The Neighborhood of the Month program highlights Indianapolis neighborhood initiatives, recognizes outstanding community engagement, and uplifts investments in the area.
Bounded by Michigan St. to the north, East Washington St. to the south, State St. to the east, and Davidson St. on the west, Holy Cross has seen remarkable development in the past two decades. In addition, the neighborhood has a vibrant community spirit, with several events throughout the year, including a 4th of July fireworks watch party at Highland Park, the second highest point in Indianapolis. The park at 1100 E. New York St. gives neighbors a spectacular view of the city’s fireworks show every year.
The Holy Cross neighborhood is one of the first areas settled in Indianapolis. In the early 1800’s, George Pogue built a cabin on the bank of a creek, which is the present-day intersection of Pogue’s Run Creek and Michigan Street. George Pogue is credited by some as the first to settle Indianapolis, which was land inhabited by the Delaware Indians at the time.
The name of the neighborhood comes from the Holy Cross Catholic Church and School, located just on the eastern edge of the neighborhood. The neighborhood was previously known as the Holy Cross Westminster Neighborhood, with the Westminster designation coming from the Presbyterian Church located on State Street. In recent years, the neighborhood association has shortened the name to just Holy Cross.
In the 1990s, the ‘back to the city” movement caught fire in Indianapolis, and Holy Cross was perfectly situated for a renaissance. Small investors decided to buy older homes and fix them up to sell. Builders purchased empty lots and built new homes that fit into the cottage-style neighborhood. Today, Holy Cross is still going through a resurgence of investments in bringing new homes and businesses to the neighborhood.
Holy Cross has witnessed an economic boom over the last few years with an active art scene, restaurants, and businesses. Most recently, the former Angie’s List campus is now home to the Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning, as known as the CAP: Indy Center. King Dough, a new pizza restaurant, opened in January this year. City-County Council Vice President Zach Adamson represents the Holy Cross neighborhood.
“Holy Cross has become a destination for residents across Indianapolis to enjoy a great meal, art culture and business development,” said Vice President Adamson, “I thank Mayor Hogsett for recognizing the hard work that has taken place in this historic District 17 neighborhood.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #IndyNoM when posting on social media about Holy Cross. To nominate your neighborhood for Neighborhood of the Month, visit: https://www.indy.gov/activity/neighborhood-of-the-Month.
