Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association OSCNA
About the Neighborhood
Speedway City became a town in 1926 and remains a town governed by a Town Manager, Town Council, and Clerk Treasurer. The boundaries for the original platted city were Main Street to Winton Avenue, and 10th to 16th Streets.
The original platted area, now a designated historic district, contains home built mostly in the 1920's. During the 1940's and 50's, a surge of houses were built within the Association boundaries. The majority of homes in these areas are one-story, two to three bedroom bungalows. The most recent round of house were built in the 1990's on the remaining vacant lots.
The Town of Speedway has been experiencing a revitalization, and Main Street is at the forefront of this exciting era. A variety of businesses can be found within the association boundaries: Famous Tomato, Famous Soda and Candy Shop, Dawson's on Main, Tolen's Florist, Spark Coffee Shop, Founder's Grounds, Brozinni Pizza, Dallara Indy Car Factory, Tacos and Tequila, Barbecue and Bourbon, B. Erin Designs, La Peeps, Speedway Indoor Karting, Daredevil Brewing, 3 Sisters and a Trunk, Foyt Wine Vault, The Voom Room Salon, Leo's Barber and Beauty, O'Reilly's Irish Pub, and Big Woods, Borage to open March 2024. Also located in the Association boundaries are three churches, a trophy and clock shop, an attorney, United States Auto Club, a gas station; all within walking distance. Not to be forgotten is longtime Speedway tradition, Charlie Brown's Pancake and Steak House. There are manufacturing and tech located off Main St.. There is a walking, bike lane on the east side of Main that connects to the Speedway Trails P&E Trail at the roundabout, and B & O trail runs south of Fisher Elementary crosses Lynhurst west and to the east along Nester and crosses Main street to downtown Indy.
Former Mayor Bart Peterson, with past OSCNA President Elizabeth Frazier, and OSCNA member former Speedway Junior High Teacher and Speedway High Counselor Chuck Bennett at a ceremony recognizing the National Neighborhood of the Year Award.
Example of a Speedway Bungalow
Dawson's on Main
Main Street Clock
Seeds of Light Sculpture P&E Trailhead
Historic Designation
In 2005, the section of Speedway that lies between 10th, Winton, 16th and Main Streets was designated a historic district by the State of Indiana and the National Parks. This area, platted in 1912, encompassed the original Speedway City.
The four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, James A. Allison, Frank Wheeler, Arthur Newby, and Carl Fisher, hired a realtor, Lemon Trotter, to purchase the land, plat the area, and sell the lots.
Speedway is an early example of a planned residential community. Industry is located on the east side of Main Street and continues east to the Speedway town limits. Along Main Street are businesses to support the community. Residences are west of Main Street. The intent was for employees to be able to walk to work.
The awarding of the historic designation was made possible through the work of eighth grade students at Speedway Junior High and their history teacher Chuck Bennett, who is also a member of the OSCNA. The students walked through the district, took pictures, contacted homeowners and wrote a history of the houses.
Awards Received
2006 Coooperative Spirit Award received from Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center. The award was based on the work of the Junior High students and cooperative efforts of the Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association and the residents within the boundaries in obtaining historic designation
2007 National Neighborhood of the Year, presented by Neighborhoods USA at their national convention in Baton Rouge, LA. This prestigious award also was based on the work done by students in cooperation with the association