Our History

The Craig House was moved across Conner Street and restored.

NPA was focused (thanks, in part, to funding from the County Parks Department) on stabilizing/preserving Potter’s Bridge, now recognized as an integral feature of our community and a local treasure.

Through the efforts of NPA and the Hamilton County Historical Society, the Hamilton County Commissioners decided to accurately renovate the Sheriff ’s Residence and Courthouse — finally dispelling rumors of demolition for parking lots or a more modern structure.

First year of the creation of the “Most Endangered List.” Four structures on this list still appear on the list!

Potter’s Bridge is listed on this first list.

Out of the 10 properties on the first Most Endangered List, 4 are saved, 3 are lost.

NPA was concerned about the razing of structures by the county and city for surface lots. NPA president, Geoff Davis, quoted Kent Shuttle who advised Noblesville “against the creation of a parking donut to be created between downtown and adjoining neighborhoods. The visual no-man’s land created by parking donuts around a commercial district actually discourages visitors because of its blank, desolate ugliness.”

NPA purchased the Essington House (208 N. 9th Street) from the County to prevent its demolition for a surface parking lot.

The Century Plaque program was initiated.

The Essington House (208 N. 9th Street) was paid off by the Davidsons. Deed restrictions were put in place to require the exterior be historically maintained and to prevent a business from operating out of the home.

Work began by community members to establish a historic district on N. 9th Street.

The first Century Plaques were awarded, 4 in total.

NPA membership grew to an all-time high, growing by 35 percent, for a total of 152 individual and family memberships.

NPA’s first website was launched.

NPA sought to hire a part-time secretary, NPA’s first paid position offered.

NPA Board creates strategic planning goals.

Hare House and Axline House and carriage house were moved.

The Conner Street National Register Historic District was publicly recognized by the installation of a state plaque which was funded in part by NPA, Indiana Historical Bureau, and the Hamilton County Convention and Vistor’s Bureau (HCCVB).

Launch of the 1st Annual Garden Tour in June.

Launch of the 1st Annual Holiday Home Tour in conjunction with Noblesville Main Street events.

25th Anniversary of NPA’s founding!

First year of the new Homeowner Façade Grant Program.

Launch of the Denzel Hufford Garden Award, in honor of a loyal NPA member who believed a garden’s beauty should be shared.

Re-launch of the Holiday Tour: “The Twelve Houses of Christmas,” a holiday lights historic neighborhood driving tour.

NPA partnered with the State of Indiana and Hamilton County Historical groups to digitize the Interim Report information.

NPA’ s first online restoration workshop was presented in partnership with HCCVB.

Re-launch of the Most Endangered List to raise community awareness of significant structures that were in danger of being lost forever.

Efforts to prevent the rezoning of 1135 Conner Street raised awareness and encouraged community action.

NPA holds another online restoration workshop, this time in partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.

NPA met with City of Noblesville’s Engineering Department about concerns over brick sidewalk removal. The Department agreed to contact NPA when sidewalks are slated for replacement so that NPA might reach out to homeowners. It is possible with cooperation between the city, NPA, and homeowners to work out arrangements for relaying brick sidewalks. In line with this progress, NPA held a restoration workshop on brick sidewalk maintenance and basic repair.

NPA helped lead the way to save the historic Kincaid/Flanagan House in Fishers. While the home is outside of our typical boundaries, interested NPA members could not stand by and watch this horrible loss. NPA worked to form a partnership with Hamilton County Tourism, Indiana Landmarks, Ambassador House, Hamilton County Historical Society, and local residents to find a positive outcome thanks to the cooperation of land developers Thompson Thrift (who had planned on the Kincaid House demo but instead donated $20K towards the move), the City of Fishers (who had approved the demo, but was helpful once it became clear the home could be saved), and Navient (who stepped up and donated the land where the home was eventually moved).

NPA held the 1st Annual Neighborhood Family Picnic at Seminary Park. It was a lovely day of games, conversation, and food

29th Annual Historic Home Tour—including the beautiful Flagler Train Car

2nd Annual Community Picnic was held in Seminary Park

Denzel Hufford Garden Contest

NPA participated in a number of community activities

Upstairs Downtown

Arbor Fest

The Old Mill Festival with Nickel Plate Arts

Hamilton County Home Show

Old Mill Demolition – Not everything was good news. NPA worked to save the Old Mill and help it become something new but it was sold and demolished.

Celebrated the 30th Annual Historic Home Tour

• • Remembering where it all began…moving the Craig House on Conner Street to save it from demolition
  • The Tour was endorsed as a Bicentennial Legacy Project
  • There were over 80 volunteers…the most ever

Sponsored the purchase of historic banners for the downtown light poles, along with Noblesville Main Street.

$1,000 to the Trustees – To thank the community for supporting the Home Tour, NPA donated this money to the Noblesville Trustee to be used for emergency help to local residents.

$5,000 Grant – NPA received a Legacy Grant from the City of Noblesville Fund, a fund of Legacy Fund Community Foundation, a CICF affiliate; $2,500 was used for Façade Grants and $2,500 will be used for restoration of the Interurban Building in Forest Park.

Christmas Parade, Ice Sculpture, Historic Movie at the Courthouse (The Board of Directors chose to take a more visible presence in community life, and are looking forward to even more in 2017).

Interurban Building – Plans were finalized, many materials were donated, and work to restore this historic landmark will begin soon

Holiday Lights Driving Tour – The tradition continued with 12 homes beautifully decorated for Christmas

Rebranding – Board of Directors adopted a new mission statement, logo, and a renewed focus on all aspects of the community life in our beautiful historic city…sidewalks, trees, businesses, homes.