Irvington Development Organization (IDO), representing one of the most historic communities in Indianapolis, has applied for and been accepted into the Indiana Main Streets Program. Irvington will begin as part of the OCRA Downtown Affiliates Network, with an eye towards official Main Streets designation after one year. This State designation brings Irvington into the national Main Streets network. Irvington is the first neighborhood in Indianapolis to receive such a designation.
Originally located just outside of Indianapolis along the National Road, Irvington has been one of Central Indiana’s thriving, connected communities since 1870. While Irvington was annexed by Indianapolis in 1902, it was platted and planned as an independent town by its founders. It was home to Butler University from 1875 to 1928, and has a deep history of being home to arts and culture leaders in the region. In 1987 Irvington became the largest district in Marion County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 2006 much of the community was designated to be protected under the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.
Irvington remains a thriving community with many restaurants, retail shops, parks, streams and trails. The community has a dense urban footprint, but maintains some small-town charm on its main street. Irvington also hosts one of the largest and most popular Halloween Festivals in the country, lasting the entire month of October every year and culminating in the Irvington Halloween Street Fair, which attracted over 80,000 people in 2022.
Founded in 2002, celebrating its 20th year, Irvington Development Organization (IDO) is excited for this next step in service to the community. IDO’s mission to “Preserve our community’s historic charm, promote positive commercial growth, and empower surrounding neighborhoods through effective strategic initiatives” aligns well with Indiana Main Streets’ four points: Economic Vitality; Design; Organization; and Promotion.
