North Irvington Gardens Historic District
The district was placed on the register for three reasons. First, it reflects residential development trends during its time of significance. Second, noted author Margaret Weymouth Jackson lived in the district between World War I and World War II. Finally, it reflects the various styles used in residence in a "textbook" manner, particularly "small houses".
One of the prominent structures in the district is Harold's Steer-In, built in 1951. It is a contributing building even though it was built one year after the era of notability. Originally named Northways Restaurant when it opened in 1951, it became Laughner's Cafeteria from the mid-1950s to 1964, at which time it gained the name Harold's Steer-In. It has remained open since then except for three weeks in 2004 when it seemed to have closed for good until two employees invested in the restaurant and reopened it in time for a special Thanksgiving Day feast for loyal customers. It is one of the few surviving authentic drive-ins left in Indianapolis. Peyton Manning once filmed a commercial for MasterCard in the building in 2005.
The Irvington Development Organization was the driving force in obtaining National Register status for the district. Money from a Preserve America grant given to the organization funded this effort.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved August 1, 2016. Note: This includes Paul C. Diebold; Katherine Jourdan; Steve Barnett (January 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: North Irvington Gardens Historic District" (PDF). Retrieved August 1, 2016. and Accompanying photographs
- ^ "Rest assured, lunch is served". www.nuvo.net. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "Irvington Development Organization (IDO) ~ Preserve America Community Neighborhood Initiative ~ Promoting positive growth in Indianapolis, Indiana". irvingtondevelopment.org. Retrieved July 26, 2022.