Irvington is a historic district five miles east of downtown Indianapolis founded in 1870 by prominent abolitionist lawyers Jacob Julian and Sylvester Johnson. Named for writer Washington Irving and straddling the Historic National Road, the carefully planned neighborhood was originally platted as an independent suburban town but annexed by the city of Indianapolis in 1902.
Butler University, which called Irvington home from 1875 to 1928, helped to establish the area as a cultural and arts destination. In 1987, Irvington became the largest district in Marion County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2006 much of Irvington was protected under a local historic district designation, and property owners receive guidance from Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC). The map below shows the boundaries of Irvington and the boundaries of the smaller historic district within Irvington.
The community has retained many of its most appealing characteristics, and is especially known for its winding, tree-lined streets, beautiful parks, and historically significant homes and businesses. We welcome you to visit and explore our neighborhood. Irvington is walkable and bikeable, so park your car (see parking map) or bike and stroll along our quiet residential streets, parks, and bustling commercial districts. Discover Irvington!
