Reader’s Question:
I have a lot of family history in Indiana, but in Indianapolis the only area I know my family has been in for a while is Ravenswood. Any chance you have some history on that area and/or pictures? ~ Chris W.
HI’s Answer:
For readers who may not be aware, Ravenswood is the name of an area on the north side of Indianapolis, alongside the White River. It’s in the center of Washington Township, less than a mile north of Broad Ripple Park. There are actually several different legal descriptions within this geographical area, including Terrace Beach, Island Park, Light’s Melrose, Ralston Heights, River Heights, and Ravenswood. Nonetheless, the entire neighborhood that’s bounded by East 71st Street on the south, White River and Fitch Avenue on the west, White River and 75th Street on the north, and Keystone Avenue on the east is generally referred to as Ravenswood.
The area outlined with broken red lines is generally referred to as Ravenswood (map courtesy of Google) CLICK TO ENLARGE
The land that would eventually become Ravenswood was originally purchased from the federal government by two men named Levi Wright and James Bounel. They received their land patents in Section 25 of Township 17 North Range 3E 2nd PM Meridian from the United States of America in 1823. Wright later bought Bounels’ acreage and owned all of the land that is now Ravenswood for a time. By the end of the 19th century, however, the landowners were Jackson Dawson, the Albertson Brothers and Anna M. Hobbs. Jackson Dawson (1828-1892) was the youngest son of Elijah Dawson (1781-1858) and Mary Ann Hardin Dawson (1785-1865), whose descendants owned a considerable amount of land in Washington Township in the 1800s and 1900s, primarily in and around Broad Ripple.
One of two rustic cabins in Ravenswood that date to the 1800s (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
In the first few years of the 20th century, city dwellers discovered this section of the White River had a fine sandy beach. On weekends and holidays, people would take the interurban, ride their bicycles, or drive their motor vehicles to the outskirts of the city and spend the day sunning, swimming, and picknicking at Ravenswood Beach. According to newspaper reports of the day, there would be thousands of people at Ravenswood Beach on a hot summer day. Fishing, as well as boat rides between Ravenswood and Broad Ripple, were also popular pastimes on the White River.
Ravenswood Beach was a popular warm weather destination for city dwellers (photo courtesy of BroadRippleHistory.com)
Although there is no official documentation of how Ravenswood got its name, early accounts suggest that it was related to the many crows that frequented the community. As the word “crows” was already contained in the names of other Washington Township neighborhoods, and as the word “ravens” was nicer sounding than “crows,” what might have been Crowswood instead became Ravenswood. On August 3, 1910, the Marion Trust Company platted lots near the east bank of the White River and began selling land on which summer cottages could be built. The legal description the developers gave to their building lots was Ravenswood. The Marion Trust Company became Fletcher Savings and Trust Company in 1912, and its former building at 10 East Market Street is today the Hilton Garden Inn.
1910 ad in The Indianapolis Star advertised lots for sale in Ravenswood
Stylized map showing historic White River-related places and events that occurred over the years (map courtesy of Susan Stamm) CLICK TO ENLARGE
The Broad Ripple street car was one way that people were able to get from the city to the edge of town (photo courtesy of Indianapolis Monthly Magazine)
Over the next decade, many summer cottages dotted the area. However, there were no services to maintain the neighborhood. The property owners decided that their incorporating would be the best way for them to make Ravenswood the most attractive resort along the river. On August 4, 1919, the first town board meeting was held. In that meeting the duties of a town marshal were decided. They included such details as when the street lights were to be turned on and off and when the gates to the public bathing beach were to be opened and closed.
In 1919, Ravenswood became an incorporated town
Early postcard showing swimming and boating activities on the White River near the resort area of Ravenswood (from the collection of Susan Zobbe, courtesy of broadripplehistory.com)
In the mid-1920s, White River changed its course, Ravenswood Beach eroded, and some of the low-lying areas in town became swampy. The summer crowd began to fade away, as they found other more desirable vacation destinations. Cottage owners either sold their summer properties or converted them to year-round residences. On the 1920 Census, there were only a handful of full-time residents living in Ravenswood. By the time of the 1930 Census, Ravenswood’s year-round residents numbered several hundred.
1931 Wagner map shows the names of rural property owners in Washington Township of Marion County (map courtesy of the Indiana State Library) CLICK TO ENLARGE
From the 1920s to the 1970s, Ravenswood saw a slow but steady growth. Between 1953 and 1955, close to 200 prefabricated homes were built in the Ralston Heights Subdivision. At its peak, the population of the area was about 700 people. Affordable housing and the peaceful, country-like setting were appealing. However, the area continued to be plagued by flooding. In addition, the cost of maintaining a town government became challenging. Besides the cost of insurance, fire protection, maintenance of public spaces, and a town marshal, it was difficult to find local residents to serve on the town board. Ultimately, the decision was made for Ravenswood to end its autonomy. In March of 1989, Mayor William H. Hudnut III signed an executive order to dissolve the Town of Ravenswood, and the neighborhood was absorbed by the Indianapolis-Marion County government.
White River as viewed from Ravenswood Overlook (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
In 1989, Ravenswood decided to become part of the City of Indianapolis
Since annexation to the City of Indianapolis, Ravenswood has continued to appeal to people who enjoy living on or near the water. Although there aren’t very many commercial properties in Ravenswood, there are several notable businesses. One is the White River Yacht Club , which is located on the west boundary of the neighborhood. The club traces its roots to 1938, when a group of area boaters banded together for social and recreational activities. Although it is a private club, many nonmembers have been to the facility for its classic car show, high school reunions, wedding receptions, or other social functions.
Founded in 1938, the White River Yacht Club has reciprocal membership with many other yacht clubs around the country (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
Another anchor of the area is the Northside Knights of Columbus, which is located on the southern boundary of Ravenswood. It was founded in 1961 as a fishing and game club. The property on which the building was erected the following year is on 25 acres of wooded land and has three lakes behind the building.
Northside Knights of Columbus building was erected on 71st Street in 1962 on a 25 acre tract of land with woods and lakes (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
Many impressive homes line the shores of the White River in Ravenswood. One such home was built in 1922 by a motor racing enthusiast named George Barr. He was a friend of Carl Fisher and George Marott. Originally a summer home, Barr made it into a permanent residence in 1927. The property has had only a few owners over its 91 years of existence.
Riverfront home was built by George Barr as a summer cottage in 1922 and converted to a year-round residence in 1927 (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
An active group, some of whose members live nearby, is the Friends of the White River, a nonprofit corporation formed in 1985 to preserve and protect the river. Besides improvement of the water quality, the organization seeks to maintain or restore the area’s original habitat and wildlife.
Although it is a fairly small geographical area, Ravenswood is home to several public park areas. The largest is Riverwood Park at 7201 Crittenden Avenue, which is the site on which two former Washington Township schools formerly existed — first, the White River Elementary School and later, the Phoenix School. A second public area is Ravenswood Overlook at 7300 Ravenswood Boulevard. Another is Stamm Park at 71st Street and Kingsley Drive.
Stamm Park at 71st Street and Kingsley Drive is one of several park areas created in the Ravenswood area in recent years (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
The Ravenswood-White River Neighborhood Association is the primary organization working to improve the area. The coordinator of RWNA is Susan Stamm, whose ancestors were early settlers of Ravenswood.
Hey, Sharon, what a great article! I always loved “Raventucky” and had several friends who lived there when I was in high school. Thanks for the research and the great pictures.
As always, thank you Sharon.
Nice piece!
.
I always heard the town shut after the treasurer stole funds. Not true??
.
We in Rocky Ripple are often confused with Ravenswood. Both R names on the river… but we have a levee. We also had a theft by our treasurer years ago, but we are still a town.
My grandmother was the treasurer no she did not steal funds know your history before you assume things.
Sharon, always enjoy reading about my neighborhood. Thank you
Just saw this lovely article. Thank you! Relatively new to Indy, I found it wonderful to read, as my new home (an older house) is very close to Ravenswood. Fascinating article.
Good Job. What happened to the Ravenswood Town Minutes? The State Archives has many old Town Minutes: Brightwood, Broad Ripple, Irvington, West Indianapolis, Woodruff Place.
Is there any way to get a printed copy of this entire article?
Unfortunately, not at this time.
Great Photos, sad to not see photo of White River Elementary. I spent years 1- 10 at 69th and Keystone. A real VA community. The White River Elementary Elementary Beavers, also had the Beaver Frolics with many games and fun to raise money for charity.
Are there any photos remaining of White River Elementary School? I lived on 65th and Evanston ave. for many years and attended that school.
Hi, My maiden name was Judy Greenwood. I was born in 1940 at 7313 Ralston, Ravenswood IN. Dad had Greenwood’s Grocery. I left in 1959. Thanks for sharing the history of Ravenswood, as I have many fond memories.
My best friend and I lived in Ravenswood in 1964-65 in a small cottage we rented. The cottage came with a rowboat because every spring the ice would back up in White River and flood our street. The cottage was set up on concrete blocks about 3 feet above the ground. I remember that spring, 1965, checking the water level every half hour or so as the water was rising to make sure we could get out if it rose to the level of the front door. It stopped 3-4 inches short. I’m remembering the rent as around $75 per month.
What a great article! Really took me back to 1979, when my husband and I married and bought a riverfront home in Ravenswood. Such a peaceful lifestyle! If I remember correctly fly, we were told the river ran through tribal lands. I would love to know more about that.
Sharon, do you have any records of the Wharf House Restaurant located in Ravenswood owned and operated by the Arens Family?
I was born in Ravenswood in a house on Fitch Avenue (literally born at home) in 1946. My father was the town Marshall for some time. Any idea where I could find information about Marshalls. I have checked several sources without success. P.S. Tom and Craig, I also attended White River Elementary School!
I always recommend starting any research at the Indiana State Library- they have a fantastic bunch of helpful librarians there.
My name is John beyer I may be able to help you with the Marshalls John
I enjoyed very much reading the article and the comments. A little before I entered he 1st grade my parents and I moved into one of a set of riverside cottages located a few blocks south of Ravenswood. We were close friends to the owner of the cottages, Lena Mauer, who
lived in the largest of the cottages and spent the winter months in a suite of rooms in the old English Hotel. Before moving
there I recall us visiting “Grandma Mauer,” as I called her, at the Hotel and at her cottage. My parents did not have a car, so we rode the Broad Ripple street car to the end of the line in BR Park and then would walk the relatively short distance to the cottages. We often
went swimming at Ravenswood Beach. Such a beautiful area. I enjoyed riding the bus to school when I entered the first grade, and have other fond memories of the area. Unfortunately, the flood of 1942 brought this to an end. I remember my father leaving for work–he had
bought a car when we moved there from Virginia Ave. in Indianapolis–while it was raining. The water began to overflow banks, and then approached the steps of our house, which sat on stilts about 5 or 6 feet above the ground. Then it crept up the steps, so my mother called my Dad, and by the time he arrived to rescue us, he had to come in a rowboat. When we returned the waterline was halfway up the windows, ruining everything that we had not stacked up on tables and chairs. Thus we moved back into the city, lodging with my grandmother for a while.