Oliver Johnson's Woods Historic District

Oliver Johnson's Woods Historic District is a residential neighborhood in northern Indianapolis containing ninety-two historic buildings spread across forty acres. The structures display early twentieth-century residential architecture arranged along shaded streets designed for family homes.

Oliver Johnson purchased the farmland in 1846, and his family later subdivided the property into residential lots during Indianapolis's northern expansion around 1905. This development marks when the city began growing outward beyond its downtown core.

German Jewish families and other European immigrants made this neighborhood their home, building successful businesses and establishing a tight-knit residential community. The tree-lined streets and home designs reflect the priorities and values of these early settlers.

The district connects to downtown Indianapolis via College Avenue, which once carried an interurban railway heading toward the neighboring area of Broad Ripple. This central location makes it easy for visitors to reach the neighborhood.

The Johnson-Denny House was built in 1862 and retained its original structure despite being moved from Central Avenue to Park Avenue in 1919. This relocation shows how historic structures were sometimes preserved and relocated to new locations.

Location: Indianapolis

GPS coordinates: 39.83972,-86.14750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:40