The History of 618 W. North
Located between N Blackford and N California Streets, 618 W North Street was the only brick house on the 600 Block of West North Street. Over the years, it was home to many different people, one of the most prominent being Dorothy Posey.
Born in Mississippi on January 22, 1905, Dorothy Posey moved to Indianapolis around 1939 and moved into the house at 618 W North Street around 1940. While living at the house, she married Murphy Kimble. She lived at 618 North Street until around 1955 when the house disappears from the city directory. In 1956, the city directory shows Dorothy's move to Kenwood Avenue. Dorothy died in 1975 while living at Greenview Manor Nursing Home on Illinois Street.
During her time in Indianapolis, Dorothy worked as a domestic worker. However, she was well known for her talents as a singer in the midwestern Baptist Church community. Dorothy traveled throughout the region, singing with groups such as The Spiritual Five and The Travelling Echoes. She also sponsored the appearance of other religious singing groups at local Baptist churches in Indianapolis. Her impact on the community created a lasting legacy, as shown by the St. Anthony Temple’s hosting of an annual Dorothy Posey memorial service.
618 W North Street Today
After Dorothy Posey moved out of the house around 1956, it disappeared from the Indianapolis City Directory. However, the house stood until at least 1982 as Indiana Landmarks took a photo of it that year. The photo shows the house with all of its windows boarded up and an empty lot to the right where the neighboring house once stood. By 1980, the city directory shows that most of the houses on the 600 block of West North Street were vacant. Furthermore, by 1990, all but 616 W North Street had been demolished. Today, an IUPUI parking lot sits where 618 W North Street once stood.
Written and edited by Hannah Ryker, April 24, 2020
With contributions by Sam Opsahl