In 1800, when Jeremiah Johnson and his family left Kentucky to move to the free soil of Indiana, Indianapolis was a forest and bears were hunted along what is now 38th Street. From the development of Kessler View, Creekview Estates and Chateau De Ville, to the donation of land for School 70 and a Presbyterian church, learn more about the Johnson family tradition in Indiana. The article below was published in the Indianapolis Star in 1966, and tells the whole story.

Johnsons Began 'Way Back In Land From the Indianapolis Star, Sunday, October 23, 1966 Indiana Sesquicentennial Year

10/23/66 -- From the Indianapolis Star. "As Indiana celebrates its Sesquicentennial year, Howland Johnson and his son, Robert Silas (Bob) Johnson, of Johnson Realty, 660 East 46th Street, look back on their family's interest in Indiana land since before the state was admitted to the Union in 1816. "The two men do business for their office in an old house on Johnson's Corner at 46th Street and College Avenue. The house is surrounded by old trees once part of "Johnson's Woods." "It is now hard to image pioneer school children getting lost in the woods as they traveled from the area of the Indiana State Fairgrounds to what is now School 70 at Central Avenue and 46th Street, but they did.	"Oliver Johnson (above) purchased a quarter section (160 acres) now bounded by Central Avenue, the Monon railroad, and 42nd and 46th Streets."
"Silas H. Johnson (above) donated part of the land for School 70 and for Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, originally at 47th Street and Park Avenue."	"When the Johnson family moved to the area, Indianapolis was a forest and bears were hunted along what is now 38th Street. "An old cabin on what is now fairgrounds land later burned and a barrel of salt in the ruins attracted deer as a salt lick. "Families in the area used salt to preserve fish seined from White River for winter use. "There were lots of wild turkey in the woods, but they were smaller than modern domestic turkeys and it took skill to successfully hunt them. Their meat was a welcome change from venison, however.
"The Johnson family grew up with the city. "While many of their experiences are now history for school children, many Indianapolis citizens can remember when the area north of 38th Street was mostly cornfields only 40 years ago. "Bob Johnson can remember 40 years ago when his family kept two horses and a cow stabled behind School 70. "The family's interest in Indiana land began in 1800 when Jeremiah Johnson and his family left two slaves behind in Kentucky to move to the free soil of Indiana.	"Bob Johnson (above) can remember 40 years ago when his family kept two horses and a cow stabled behind School 70. Howland Johnson and Bob Johnson, son and grandson of Silas, developed Kessler View and Creekview Estates from the farm land and Chateau De Ville luxury apartment development is located on part of the old farm."
Today, Silas Johnson continues the Johnson family tradition as one of Indiana's top REALTORS. He is a multi-million dollar producer with the F. C. Tucker Company's Suburban North office.	"Central Indiana was cleared of Indian title in 1818 and the Indians were given three years to move out. At the end of the period, in 1821, the "new purchase" was opened for settlement and Indianapolis named the new state capital. "Jeremiah Johnson and his three sons came to Indianapolis to look over their new capital. "Although they found only a few cabins here, they liked it so well they decided to stay. "All bought land.
"Robert Silas (Bob) Johnson of Johnson Realty, did business in an old house on Johnson's Corner at 46th Street and College Avenue. The house was surrounded by old trees once part of "Johnson's Woods." "One of the sons, John Johnson, bought 80 acres on the west bank of Fall Creek. Today, the land is part of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. "John's son, Oliver Johnson, later purchased a quarter section (160 acres) now bounded by Central Avenue, the Monon railroad, and 42nd and 46th Streets. "Oliver's son, Silas Johnson, and his son, Howland, subdivided the land, part of which became Johnson's Woods addition and Johnson's Central Avenue addition. "Silas Johnson donated part of the land for School 70 and for Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, originally at 47th Street and Park Avenue. "The developer then bought 216 acres around Millersville and farmed them for the rest of his life. "But as Indianapolis grew, this, too, became part of the city. Twenty acres was given to the city for Fall Creek Boulevard which opened up several beautiful areas. "Howland Johnson and Bob Johnson, son and grandson of Silas, developed Kessler View and Creekview Estates from the farm land and Chateau De Ville luxury apartment development is located on part of the old farm. "Oliver Johnson's (1821 - 1907) reminiscences of early Marion County as told by his grandson, Howard Johnson, a cousin of Howland Johnson, were published by the Indiana Historical Society in 1951 in a book entitled "A Home In The Woods."

Si Johnson
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