Historic Evansville

Mt. Auburn

AKA: Miller's Hill

Mt. Auburn, situated on a hill just north of Evansville's West Side, dates back to the early part of the 1800s. Embree's Division was platted in 1851 to pay back a debt on the land just north of the Independence area. The Miller residence was one of the first homes built on the hill and led to it being called Miller's Hill. It was loosely the area west of Pigeon Creek north of Sunnyside Mines.

Around 1900, the Miller home was bought by James Cutler and used as a summer home which was nicknamed Mt Auburn. The area picked up this nickname since Mr. Miller was gone. Around the same time, Mt. Auburn school began to serve the neighborhood.

The scenic view atop the hill of Evansville and the Ohio River combined with the breezes from the heightened elevation made Mt. Auburn a destination of sorts. Several of the city's elite erected summer homes in the neighborhood. The area had a secluded feel from the bustle of the city below.

Mt. Auburn was eventually annexed into the city March 12, 1952 along with the Mesker Park area. The Mt. Auburn neighborhood association is defined by the boundaries Maryland St, St. Joseph Ave, and Buchanan Rd.

View the map of the Mount Auburn district

Research Notes

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Mt Auburn streets appear in 1876 Atlas

Mt Auburn streets do not appear in 1876 Atlas (only platted section line streets)

Mt Auburn listed as a place in the 1876 city directory

Mt Auburn streets and some residences in 1880 Atlas

Mt Auburn not in the 1880 Panoramic Map

Mt Auburn out of range in the 1884 Sanborn

Mt Auburn streets first listed in street index in 1888 city directory

A few houses in Mt Auburn area appear in distant background of 1888 Perspective Map

Mt Auburn part of city in 1890 Street Map

1905 Courier article lists the area as Mt Auburn

1913 Courier article lists the area as Miller Hill

"An Evansville Album" book incorrectly says the area was annexed in 1916