Nora News

Nora, Washington Township, Marion County, Indianapolis, IN, USA 46240

Located in Indianapolis’ far northside, Nora is the proud birthplace of the world-class Monon Trail & Greenway. Our family-friendly neighborhoods feature diverse housing stock, large lots and mature trees. The Nora greater community contains six distinct business/commercial districts, including Nora Center, Greenbriar, and Keystone at the Crossing.

Enjoy the easy access of Nora. Conveniently situated between Carmel to the north, Broad Ripple and downtown Indy to the south, Castleston / Binford Community to the east, and Pike Township to the west.

History

"Peter-Lawson-Nora" by Fowler, Indianapolis, USA - Carte de visite taken by photographer Fowler, Indianapolis, USA ca 1880. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Before Nora was “Nora,” the somewhat swampy and heavily-forested area was home to native Americans largely from the Delaware (or Lenape) tribe who farmed and hunted abundant wildlife along the White River and tributary creeks. As these native peoples were forced from the area, the forests were leveled gradually and replaced with farms.

The name Nora for this area can be traced back to December 1871 when the Swedish immigrant Peter Lawson was appointed postmaster at Nora. Lawson owned a grocery store that was situated at what is today the southwest corner of Westfield Boulevard and 86th Street.

Peter Lawson named the area after his home parish in Sweden. He was born as Per Israelsson on March 29, 1828 in Blexbergstorp, Nora parish, Örebro County Sweden. He emigrated in 1854 and from at least 1860 he is known to have lived in Washington Township, Marion County. In 1861 he was one of the founding members of the Union Church Washington Township. Lawson died on October 29, 1884 and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.

The locality of Nora grew around Peter Lawson’s grocery store and post office. Soon there were more shops, smithys and a train station in the area. Nora Elementary School was opened in 1895.

About 150 people lived in Nora in the 1880s, but the area didn’t become densely populated until the mid 1900s when it became a part of the expanding Indianapolis. Nora Plaza Shopping Center was built in 1959, a new post office was opened in 1961 and Nora Branch Library opened its doors in 1971.

Though it has been part of the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area since city and county governments consolidated in 1971, Nora doesn’t have firm boundaries because it was never incorporated. Today, the boundaries of Nora are commonly accepted as the area defined by the Nora Northside Community Council, established in 1967.

 

Nora’s history is intimately linked to productive parent involvement. From the start, parents have been a driving force behind quality public education as an investment in our future. This 14-minute video traces that history since Indiana statehood in 1816.

sources: http://historicindianapolis.com/what-exactly-is-nora/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora,_Indianapolis
image credit: “Peter-Lawson-Nora” by Fowler, Indianapolis, USA – Carte de visite taken by photographer Fowler, Indianapolis, USA ca 1880. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJmMVGBCeMA.

Superior Public Schools

The only all International Baccalaureate school district in Indiana, and one of only a handful nationwide.

Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Excellence + Vision

Established in 1847, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) is a public alternative school nationally and internationally recognized for its excellence and best practices in educating children and young adults who are blind or have low vision. The school is comprised of 31 buildings located on a 63 acre campus located on the northeast corner of College Avenue and 75th Street, in Nora.

ISBVI is not part of the MSDWT system.

The ISBVI is a critical resource for Indiana’s children who are blind or have low vision and the teachers, parents, and caregivers who work with them.

Family Friendly Neighborhoods

Nora is unique within the city – really a community of neighborhoods – friendly, established, eclectic, and engaged.

Belle Meade
Bridgefield
Canterbury
Cedar Knoll
College Commons
Cornerbrook
Cricket Tree
Driftwood Hills
Edgewater
Golden Oaks
Greenbriar
Homestead Lakes
Iron Springs
Kings Cove
Lake at the Crossing
Lions Gate
Mayfair
Meridian Square
Meridian Woods
Misty Lake
Muir Woods
Mystic Bay
Nora Woods
Northbrook
Northern Hills
North Willow Farms
Oakmont
Olde Mill
One West
Overlook
Oxbow
Park Meridian
Pennsylvania Heights
Pennwood
Pickwick
Pickwick Commons
Pine Drive
Renaissance Bay
River Park
Rosebay Commons
Roundtree
Sherwood Forest
Somerset Hills
Spirit Lake
Spring Lake at Tamarack
Spring Mill Woods
Sugar Tree
Sunset Heights
Surrey Park
Tamarack
Town of Williams Creek
Towne Park
Tree Top
Two West
Villages of Longwood
White River/Union Chapel
Williams Cove
Williamshire
Williston Green
Willow Springs
Willowwood
Windcombe
Winston Woods

Civic Engagement & Area Organizations

Nora Alliance

Nora Alliance

An alliance of neighbors and business in Nora Center promoting strong amenities, connected people, and a vibrant built environment.

Nora Northside Community Council

Nora Northside Community Council

Since 1967, an umbrella civic organization concerned with land use and other issues impacting the northside of Indianapolis.

Nora Community Kiwanis

Nora Community Kiwanis

Dedicated community advocates supporting positive change for families in the Nora community.

Central Indiana Land Trust

Central Indiana Land Trust

Through land protection, stewardship and education, the Central Indiana Land Trust preserves natural areas, improving air and water quality and enhancing life in our communities for present and future generations.

The Advancement Center WT Schools

The Advancement Center WT Schools

Advancing the achievements of world-class public education by connecting private funding to innovative programs that benefit our schools and community.

Parent Council of MSD Washington Township

Parent Council of MSD Washington Township

A group of parent advocates of MSDWT students who represent a diverse community in Indianapolis and believe that quality public education is an investment in the future.

Active Electorate

Here are contacts for the elected officials representing the Nora community.

Indianapolis

Joe Hogsett

Mayor

Office of the Mayor
2501 City-County Bldg.
200 E. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: (317) 327-3601
Fax: (317) 327-3980

Keith Potts

City-County Council 2nd District

contact-Keith Potts
Phone: 317-659-0823
Democrat

Dan Boots

City-County Council 3rd District

contact-Dan-Boots
Phone: 317.327.4242
Democrat

Washington Township

Natalie Van Dongen

Mayor’s Neighborhood Advocate

Office of Mayor Joe Hogsett – City of Indianapolis
200 E. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 327-5121

email Natalie Van Dongen
website

Frank T. Short

Washington Township Trustee

5302 N. Keystone Ave., Suite E
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Phone: 317-327-8800
Fax: 317-327-8828
contact-Frank-Short

David Smith

Washington Township Board Member District 1

John Adams

Washington Township Board Member District 3

Lacy Johnson III

Washington Township Board Member District 2

State & Federal

Rep. Carey Hamilton

State Representative District 87

Indiana House of Representatives
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2786
1-800-382-9842
Democrat
contact-Carey-Hamilton

Rep. Ed DeLaney

State Representative District 86

Indiana House of Representatives
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2786
1-800-382-9842
Democrat
contact-Ed-Delaney

Rep Victoria Garcia-Wilburn

State Representative District 32

Sen. Fady Qaddoura

State Senator - District 30

Indiana State Senate
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Democrat
P: 317-232-9404 | 800-382-9467
contact-Fady-qaddoura

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz

US Representative 5th District of Indiana

11611 N. Meridian Street, Suite 415
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317-848-0201
Fax: 765-846-7306
Republican

http://victoriaspartz.house.gov

Senator Mike Braun

United States Senator

115 N. Pennsylvania Street Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46204
phone: (317) 822-8240
fax: (855) 772-7518
Republican

https://www.braun.senate.gov/#home

Senator Todd Young

United States Senator

Indianapolis Office
46 East Ohio Street, Suite 462
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-226-6700
Republican

https://www.young.senate.gov

Vital Community Contacts

Mayor’s Action Center
317-327-4622

Emergency
dial 911

Police Dispatch Non-Emergency Line
317-327-3811

Police Anonymous Crime Tips Line
317-327-3297

Indiana State Police Road Conditions
800-261-7623

Animal Care & Control
317-327-1397

Schools
http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us
317-845-9400

Trash Collection & Recycling
317-917-7300