Central Court Historic District

Central Court Historic District is a residential neighborhood in Indianapolis containing around 75 buildings arranged in a U-shaped pattern around a central courtyard. The homes face toward 36th Street, Central Avenue, or inward toward the central space, creating different views from different parts of the area.

Developers Oscar A. Jose and Peter J. Balz founded the neighborhood in 1916 as a planned residential community featuring Prairie School and Colonial Revival architecture. The project reflected how developers were building new neighborhoods during Indianapolis's period of urban growth.

The neighborhood displays residential buildings from the early 1900s that were arranged to create a shared community center where neighbors naturally gathered. This layout reflects the desire to build connected, walkable streets rather than isolated suburban plots.

The neighborhood is located near the intersection of 36th Street and Central Avenue and is easy to explore on foot since the houses sit close together. There are multiple open pathways and passages through the grounds, allowing visitors to view the different building facades from various angles.

The neighborhood was designed as a contained system where roughly half the homes face inward toward the central court while others turn toward the surrounding streets. This intentional layout created a pocket of residential space that remains visually distinct from the broader neighborhood around it.