Northside Neighborhood Association

Northside Neighborhood Association

Northside Neighborhood Association History

The Northside Neighborhood Association (NNA) was formed in 1975 following the success of local neighbors in the rejection of siting a Regional Correction Center at the old "State School" property north of State, previously known as the "Indiana Home for the Feeble Minded", "Fort Wayne State School" and finally "The State Hospital and Training Center". Use of the nearly 60 acre campus lying north of State Boulevard between Parnell Avenue and Kentucky Avenue was in question following removal of the State School operation and was in the process of being converted to other State uses beginning in 1970. One possible use being considered was a jail or penal institution.

Local neighbors saw an opportunity to express their opinion and promote the transformation of this large area into a community park. The site was dominated by a very large historic four story brick 1900's administration/hospital building with multiple two story brick cottage type buildings scattered about the property, along with large power plant and a gymnasium.

The replacement for the State School operation was a new modern complex built northeast of the Stellhorn and Hobson Road intersection. Now was the time (early 1970's) to decide the fate of this land with its collection of many large, antiquated buildings. A long battle ensued over the use of the property.

The eventual winner was the residential community surrounding the complex and the property was turned into a beautiful park with ball fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a community meeting building converted from one of the original brick buildings. Northside Park was acquired by the Park Department in 1978.

The twelve members of the original "Corrections Center Opponents" organization, formed with the help of councilman Don Schmidt on 11/30/74, were the following: Katherine Hoffman, Diane Duly, Richard Regedanz (treasurer), Emily Jantz, David Schmidt, Robert Pio, Fane Hein, Robert Rommel, Jack Carter, Carol Lantz, Adolph Pence and Robert Wire.

A newspaper article on 1/11/75 stated "Public's Wish Spurred Site Veto, Governor Says" and included a photo with Governor Bowen, Sheriff Charles Meeks, group representative Carol Lantz and attorney Jack Lawson.

After successfully stopping the siting of the Corrections Center at the State Street property, the NS Opponents group put out a notice for a meeting on February 17th, 1975 to be held at the Riverside School (Kentucky and Vance) for the purpose of forming a neighborhood association which became known as the Northside Neighborhood Association.

Email us
northsideneighbors@yahoo.com