Our Neighborhood.
Welcome To Martindale-Brightwood!
Martindale–Brightwood is a historic neighborhood located on the near northeast side of Indianapolis, Indiana. Martindale-Brightwood is a combination of two originally distinct neighborhoods, Martindale and Brightwood, both dating back to the 1870s and both being defined early-on by their proximity to railroads. The two were linked to one another in 1992 with the formation of the Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation. It is one of Indianapolis’ oldest neighborhoods.
MARTINDALE
Martindale, the western section of the neighborhood, was settled by Frederick Ruschaupt and Gustave Zschech in 1874. Never an incorporated town, Martindale originally developed around Indianapolis Car Works, a railroad machinery factory established by Ruschaupt and Zschech in 1872. After two years in operation, Indianapolis Car Works went out of business, and the property was converted to Atlas Works in 1874. It was reorganized again as Atlas Engine Works in 1878.
Like Brightwood, Martindale’s industrial growth was supported by neighboring railroad lines, including the and the . It was also heavily supported by manufacturing.
BRIGHTWOOD
Brightwood, the eastern section of the neighborhood, was first platted in 1872 and amended in 1874. Railroad workers on the “Bee Line” were the first to settle the area, which soon became the railroad center of Indianapolis.
Possibly named in honor of local railroad figure John Bright, Brightwood was incorporated in 1876. The following year, the “Bee Line” opened a major yard and machine shop in the area. For the next two decades, the town developed autonomously until it was annexed by Indianapolis in 1897.
