100 Years Ago: July 17-23

From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, July 21, 1920: The Lafayette Motors Co. is addressing the housing needs of its employees with the initial construction of fifty-three houses in Mars Hill near the factory. When the company established its plant last year at a considerable distance from the center of Indianapolis, there were few desirable houses in the vicinity of the workplace and poor streetcar service to the area made it difficult for the company to obtain mechanics and other employees who were scattered throughout the city. To overcome this problem, Lafayette Motors obtained 110 acres west of the factory and developed a plan to provide 150 modern, desirable houses, from four-room bungalows to eight-room two-story houses, for its employees that are within walking distance of the plant. The houses will be sold to employees on a payment plan at cost.