You’ve seen this view if you’ve ever exited onto N. New Jersey Street from the Lockerbie Marsh grocery store (still stubbornly referred to by longtime downtowners as O’Malia’s or even a weird mash-up of O’Marsh or Marshmalias).
This ca. 1950 negative was made by the Indianapolis Fire Department to document a forlorn frame house in the 300 block of N. New Jersey Street. It looks abandoned and many windows have been removed. A billposter took advantage of the porch walls to advertise local events. By 1956 the house was gone and I speculate that the firemen took this photograph before they did a controlled burn to demolish the house. North of the house is Saint Mary’s School. Saint Mary’s Catholic Church moved to the corner of E. Vermont and N. New Jersey in 1910 and placed the cornerstone for this building on October 23, 1910. The school was dedicated in 1912. (Indianapolis Fire Department, ca. 1950)
Today the old school is known as the Marian Center and it houses parish offices, an activities center, medical and legal clinics, the Latino Health Organization, and the Immigration Network. Since this 2009 Google image was taken, the building has been renovated and a sensitive addition to the south houses an elevator. The Marian Center celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. (Google Street View, 2009)
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I hope some use can be made he parking lot to the south of this historic building important to Indianapolis’ Catholic community…
I am looking for Cathy Scott St Mary’s class of 1963. I ;think her married name is Hamilton. Cathy arranged for blind date to the Jr Achievement Dance Feb 23 1963 for me & a guy from Butler U. named Jim. If anyone knows Cathy & where she is now please pass this on to her. THANK YOU Cathy. Jim & I celebrated the 50th anniversary of that date tonight Feb23rd 2013. We have been married 37 years, have been blessed with two sons & two beautiful grandchildren.. We live in WA State now but still have family in Indy & return often. I would love to get together. Sue Spalding Masters masters@localaccess.com
Will stay with these excellent downtown area blogs…
I lived at corner of Alabama and St Clair, Fort Wayne corner, from 1940 to 1954, I loved the stately home. 72, I am getting old would love some history on the house. I am on ss, and cant pay a lot, but will get money for photos, informaton. Every year since I moved from that fallen down house I think about it. that was my heart that fell with it.