The name of our neighborhood, Historic Meridian Park, has its roots in the subdivision and sale of the Osgood Estate Lands in 1905, which up to that time had been devoted to agriculture. Osgood’s Meridian Park is one of several original subdivisions that is represented within the boundaries of what we today call Historic Meridian Park.
In 1911, an Indianapolis Sunday Star ad promoting the sale of lots in Osgood’s Forest Park Fifth Section (at 38th and Fall Creek Parkway) made reference to earlier successful Osgood developments, including those that comprise our neighborhood:
“These lands extended from Twenty-eighth Street northward to Thirty-fourth Street and from Meridian Street eastward to Fall Creek. From them have been carved, from time to time, Osgood’s North Park, Osgood’s Central Avenue, Osgood’s Washington Boulevard, Osgood’s Second Washington Boulevard, Osgood’s Meridian Park, Osgood’s Second Central Avenue, Qsgood’s Second Meridian Park, Osgood’s Third Central Avenue, Osgood’s Forest Park, Osgood’s Second Forest Park, Osgood’s Third Forest Park and Osgood’s Fourth Forest Park. In each case a discerning public has quickly absorbed the addition offered and with commendable progressiveness purchasers have improved their lots until the Osgood district today presents the best large example of high-class residential development the city affords. Many of the lots have sold at two, three and four times the initial sale price, and lot buyers have found nowhere else in the city such satisfactory returns from their investments.
“Much of this success has been due to topographical and geological merit—much to the progressive spirit of the purchasers who have welcomed municipal improvements and themselves have built in generous fashion; however, it has been due principally to the fact that the Osgood Additions, one and all, have been located at the outter rim of real urban development. They have been in fact, as well as name, “Additions to Indianapolis.” Here there has been none of the monotony of isolated suburbanism. Residents of the Osgood Additions have been in closest touch with every phase of the city’s business, social and church life. Within quick reach of offices, schools, churches, fraternity halls, theaters, etc., and with needed public services at hand a residence here has called for no sacrifice of comfort, pleasure or associations. Here, too, has been absolutely new development; free from the depreciating influences of antiquated improvements.”