The stratification of Mapleton-Fall Creek : community disinvestment in an Indianapolis, Indiana streetcar suburb

Abstract

The Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood was and early twentieth century street suburb in Indianapolis, Indiana. As the city grew, the neighborhood became surrounded by development, leading many residents to move further into the suburbs. The result was a distressed inner city community plagued by blight and crime. A subsection of the neighborhood known as Meridian Park became a National Register Historic District in 1990 after renewed interest in the distinctive architectural character of the area. While Meridian Park has thrived, the surrounding neighborhood has continued to struggle. The goal of my thesis is explore the federal loan insurance programs, integration challenges at Shortridge High School and in the city of Indianapolis, and differences in housing stock as the three major causes for the race and class stratification that has occurred in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood.