Indianapolis, Indiana · 46222
Get to know Central State
The near westside's redeveloped landmark campus
Central State is the redeveloped 100-plus-acre campus of the former Central State Hospital (1848–1994) on Indianapolis' near west side, set within the Near Westside and Hawthorne neighborhoods along West Washington Street. The master-planned redevelopment has turned the grounds' mature trees and landmark buildings into one of the west side's most distinctive places to live.
Minutes from downtown and a short drive to the IU Indianapolis campus, the district blends preserved 19th-century architecture — including the pathology building that now houses the Indiana Medical History Museum — with new homes, community gardens, and event spaces.
The near westside, up close
The surrounding Near Westside and Hawthorne neighborhoods carry deep working-class roots and an increasingly creative present: community anchors like the Hawthorne Community Center, tree-lined residential streets, and quick access to the White River's parks and trails.
Riverside Park — one of the city's grand historic parks — lies just north, while the attractions of White River State Park cluster downtown: the Indianapolis Zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indiana State Museum, and Victory Field.
Speed, science, and history
The west side is racing country: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its museum are a ten-minute drive, and Speedway Indoor Karting puts the need for speed within everyday reach.
On the Central State campus itself, the Indiana Medical History Museum preserves the oldest surviving pathology laboratory in the nation — a one-of-a-kind landmark that anchors the district's historic identity. Downtown's dining scene, from Milktooth's famous brunch southeast of the Circle to the canal-side restaurants of White River State Park, is minutes away.
Landmarks
- Indiana Medical History Museum
- White River State Park
- Riverside Park
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Nearby
- Indianapolis Zoo
- Eiteljorg Museum
- Indiana State Museum
- IU Indianapolis campus
Getting around
- About two miles west of Monument Circle via West Washington Street.
- Short drive to IU Indianapolis and the downtown canal district.
- IndyGo routes along Washington Street (the historic National Road).
- I-70 access minutes south for airport and crosstown trips.
Live here
Our community in Central State
Fordham & Ralston operates 1 community in Central State, each restored with the neighborhood's character intact.
Central State
Historic Central State Mansion
A one-of-a-kind co-living community on the redeveloped Central State campus, minutes from downtown.
202 Steeples Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Living here
Central State questions, answered
What is the Central State campus in Indianapolis?
Central State is the redeveloped campus of the former Central State Hospital, which operated from 1848 to 1994 on Indianapolis' near west side. The master-planned district now holds homes, event spaces, gardens, and landmarks like the Indiana Medical History Museum.
What neighborhoods surround Central State?
The campus sits within the Near Westside, adjacent to the Hawthorne neighborhood, along the West Washington Street corridor in ZIP code 46222 — about two miles from Monument Circle.
Is there apartment living at Central State?
Yes. Historic Central State Mansion (202 Steeples Blvd), operated by Fordham & Ralston, is a one-of-a-kind co-living community in a landmark campus building with one- and two-bedroom floor plans and shared amenity spaces.
What is there to do near Central State?
White River State Park's museums and the Indianapolis Zoo are minutes east; Riverside Park is just north; and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, its museum, and Speedway Indoor Karting are a ten-minute drive west. The Indiana Medical History Museum is on the campus itself.
How close is Central State to IU Indianapolis?
The IU Indianapolis campus (formerly IUPUI) is a short drive or bus ride east along the Washington Street corridor — roughly ten minutes door to door.