The County Line
Work has begun in earnest on clearing the site of the new Levinson complex as Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke observed in a Hamilton County Reporter guest column last week. In his column Cooke reviewed the history of the Levinson site on Maple Avenue which consists of a half-block of land between 8th and 9th streets and north from Maple to the mid-block alley.
Official groundbreaking is set for the end of June for the new structure which will be composed of retail space, apartments and a parking garage. Most of the ground is now a parking lot, but one building, formerly housing the Holt Legal Group and Ayer’s Realty office, is being cleared for the project.
But, the interesting thing is the history of the Levinson family which donated so much to Noblesville, and produced one of the city’s most famous sons, Norman Norell. His legal name was Norman Levinson. Operating with the professional name of Norell, he became one of the nation’s leading fashion designers.
During his 50-year career Norman designed both men’s and women’s clothing, but achieved fame in women’s wear design. Such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe were clients. Even after Norman’s death, First Lady Michelle Obama wore Norell designed dresses.
Norman Levinson was born in 1900 in his family’s home at 840 Cherry Street which was located on land his ancestors had purchased in 1857. Norman likely developed an interest in fashion design while working at his father’s clothing store on the Courthouse Square. Harry Levinson later moved his store to downtown Indianapolis where the Levinson store operated into the 1970s.
But, Norman wanted to go to New York and did so after a time in military school. From 1922 until his death in 1972, the name Norman Norell became famous in the world of clothing design and his work can still be viewed online. (Levinson is buried in Crownland Cemetery.)
Meanwhile the Levinson family, finding success in Noblesville and later Indianapolis, gave generously to their home town. Funds went toward building the local Masonic Lodge, the former high school gym and Forest Park golf course. Their ongoing gift is the Levinson Award, scholarships awarded to a graduating senior boy and girl at Noblesville High School each year.
So, it is fitting that the city’s newest downtown development on land formerly owned by the Levinsons is named for this benevolent family which never forgot the community from which they came.