Butler Tarkington Homes for Sale Indianapolis

The History of Butler Tarkington

The neighborhood is named after Butler University and former resident Booth Tarkington. The novelist and dramatist was a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He is one of three to win this award more than once, a distinction held also by William Faulkner and John Updike. Mr. Tarkington lived at 4270 North Meridian from 1923 until his death in 1946.

In 1885, the Indianapolis Water Company, owners of the Central Canal, offered boat rides to Crown Hill Cemetery from the bridge at Indiana Avenue. The canal, once considered an eyesore, regained popularity when the Indianapolis Street Railway Company developed Fairview Park in 1890 along the canal to the north of the cemetery. Outdoor amusements, picnic areas, a refreshment stand and restaurant were highlights of the park.

The newly popularized canal, Fairview Park, increased trolley routes and the accessibility of personal automobiles helped to stimulate the development of the residential area now known as Butler-Tarkington. The area was an attractive option for wealthy families looking to escape the industrialized downtown area.

By the late 19th century, mansions lined Meridian Street, with unique European architectural styles defining each home. Size and quality of construction were key components, with more brick and stone typical of more affluent ownership. Smaller frame-constructed homes of wood and masonry also were popular among the working class population, in areas like Columbia Park.

In 1922, Butler University purchased Fairview Park, and relocated to the 300-acre property in 1928. By 1930, the section of North Meridian between 40th Street and Westfield Boulevard had become the most exclusive residential area in the entire city. By 1940, the area’s population grew to approximately 12,000 and Butler-Tarkington was firmly established as a desirable neighborhood.

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