Historic Audubon Court, est. 1914 , ren. 2009

Irvington, especially known for its winding tree-lined streets, beautiful parks, and historically significant homes, is a historical district five miles east of downtown Indianapolis. It was founded in 1870 by prominent abolitionist lawyers, Jacob Julian and Sylvester Johnson, and has long been an anchor of the East Side. Named for writer Washington Irving and straddling the Historic National Road, the carefully planned neighborhood was originally platted as an independent suburban town but annexed by the city of Indianapolis in 1904. Its historic homes, urban edge, garden style ambiance and close social fabric make it one of the city’s most interesting and dynamic communities.

Irvington takes pride in serving as an urban refuge that attracts and cultivates a creative class of residents and bustling cultural attractions. Irvington is known to be a very family-friendly neighborhood.

Throughout the year several festivals are held in the community that allow friends and neighbors to come together and learn more about Irvington; including the 10 year old Irvington Historical Society Ice Cream Social at the at the Bona Thompson Memorial Library, annual events by The Irvington Garden Club, the annual Irvington Home Tour, and the Our Lady of Lourdes annual carnival. The most popular festival is the annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, which is one of the oldest in the city of Indianapolis.

Designed by architect, Marrett L. Carr, Historic Audubon Court was constructed in 1914 by James T. and Theo Layman. The gentlemen were partners in a successful hardware business in Indianapolis and in the 1910s, expanded their business ventures to the Audubon Developing Company. Audubon Court was built as three buildings, each with six 2½-story apartments. This was only the 2nd apartment building in Irvington.

During the building’s heyday, residents were primarily middle-class families from young couples to older adults. Occupations included several salesmen, managers, an attorney, a civil engineer and a college professor. In 1930, rents on the apartments ranged from $52.50 to $76.00 per month. In the 1950s, most of the original units were subdivided, creating 31 housing units. Today, Audubon Court is the oldest, extant apartment building in Irvington and is a contributing part of the Irvington Historic District.