{"id":615,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:36","latitude":39.49227516187094266797430464066565036773681640625,"longitude":-87.397935390472412109375,"title":"Twelve Points","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/fd6b88f4ca2f2ef30b1e78856fa26a70.jpg","address":"Intersection of Lafayette Avenue, Maple Avenue, and 13th Street","all_locations":[],"zoom":16,"creator":["Suzy Quick"],"description":"The Twelve Points story is an epic tale of courage and tragedy. It compels us into its journey through days of decline and ruin into triumphant rebirth. It’s the story of hope every small town or sinking neighborhood dreams of. Through a series of small efforts, the harmonizing of a community, once believed to be forgotten, brings revitalization back into this corridor on the city’s north side. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nTwelve Points is named for the twelve points of intersection as Lafayette, Mapel, and 13th streets crisscross with a small triangular block at its center. Near the turn of the 20th Century, Twelve Points began to develop much the way most small communities do. There was a Post Office, grocery and dry goods stores, a church, school, and Terre Haute’s first park. By 1912 this northside neighborhood was as vibrant as downtown and full of promise. A hotel drew the traffic of travelers and businessmen through this part of town. But all that changed when city developers made changes to the major roads through Terre Haute in the 1950’s and the consolidation of local schools in 1971. Main routes were directed around the northside completely bypassing the Twelve Points area. This resulted in a decrease of revenue for local businesses and eventually the closure of many shops. Buildings were left empty, conditions worsened, the school was closed after a citywide consolidation, and Twelve Points was practically a ghost town. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nNorthside industrial businesses such as Terre Haute Glass Manufacturing Co., Columbian Enameling and Stamping, Indiana Milling Co., and Coca-Cola Bottling Company saw first hand the staggering effects on surrounding neighborhoods. It would take the determination of a steadfast organization to pull the Twelve Points historic district back to life. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nWhat started with a handful of volunteers working to clean up litter from the Twelve Points streets grew into the recently-formed Revitalization Initiative. The organization was designed to inspire economic development in the historic Twelve Points neighborhood. The goal is to preserve the past while making way for new opportunities and development. The organization works with local politicians, business owners, and city philanthropists to rebuild interest in this community treasure.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/fd6b88f4ca2f2ef30b1e78856fa26a70.jpg":{"id":2991,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Twelve Points Hotel","description":"The Twelve Points intersection was once a thriving center for small business owners and the local community. This photo from the 1940’s shows several businesses that had yet to be affected by the impending decline.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | Circa 1940&#039;s","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/fd6b88f4ca2f2ef30b1e78856fa26a70.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/ba0f4abf91cf26f7c3975d263a4adfe8.jpg":{"id":2992,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Eddy Gosnell","description":"Eddy Gosnell operated the Twelve Points Hotel for many years.  His effort to maintain a professional distance from his wife, Edith Brown’s downtown brothel did not exclude him from the vice of a gangster’s life.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | Circa 1920&#039;s | Spectator Magazine","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/ba0f4abf91cf26f7c3975d263a4adfe8.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/7d42221af7bd9c5b97188f53a5035397.jpg":{"id":2988,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Bert&#039;s Lunch Room","description":"Bert’s Lunch Room was located in the small triangular block at the center of the Twelve Points intersection. Now the site of the Gold Medal Plaza at Twelve Points Park, which is a memorial to local Olympic gold medal winners.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | 1939","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/7d42221af7bd9c5b97188f53a5035397.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/d7f8100b8ca6b3e2e748e77635154b06.jpg":{"id":2989,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Collett Park","description":"Collett Park was established in 1888. The city’s first park, the land was a donation by railroad magnate Josephus Collett.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | Circa 1900&#039;s","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/d7f8100b8ca6b3e2e748e77635154b06.jpg"},"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/fullsize/3746dbf2afc65c60dee42deb9ccb1977.jpg":{"id":2990,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Garfield High School","description":"Garfield High School was opened September, 3 1912. It joined Gerstmeyer in the 1971 consolidation to later become Terre Haute North High School.  | Vigo County Historical Museum | Circa 1950&#039;s","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org/files/square_thumbnails/3746dbf2afc65c60dee42deb9ccb1977.jpg"}}}