$176,981Average Value$80Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Home of Elkhart's first home
On the north shore of the Lower Saint Joseph River, Christiana Creek is the neighborhood where Elkhart was born. The city’s first brick house, built by town founder Dr. Havilah Beardsley in 1848, still stands as the cornerstone of this neighborhood, which is part of the Beardsley Avenue Historic District. “This is an extremely historical area locally,” says Amanda Hutslar, outreach curator at the Ruthmere historic residence and museum. “It’s a very friendly area to live in. And Havilah Beardsley House serves as kind of the symbol of entrepreneurship, history and heritage for the town.”
The Beardsley Monument overlooks Christiana Creek and shows the neighborhoods rich history.
Christiana Creek is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Elkhart.
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Houses are a step back in time
Not every house in Christiana Creek is as grandiose as those once owned by the Beardsley family, but they are from another era. Almost every house in the neighborhood was built sometime between 1880-1940. Craftsman, Foursquare and even some Gambrel-style houses can be found in the neighborhood. Recent sales have ranged between $110,000 and $210,000, but several houses with higher estimated values have gone years without hitting the market.
Beautiful estates can be found in the Historic District of Christiana Creek.
Colorful homes sit closely together in the Historic District of Christiana Creek.
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Historic homes turned museums near Wellfield Botanical Garden
Just two blocks from the Beardsley House is Ruthmere – a mansion built in 1910 by Beardsley’s nephew, Albert. It was Albert’s wife, Elizabeth, who helped the Elkhart Library raise funds for what would become the world’s first bookmobile – among the many facts to be learned on tours of the historic homes, which are open to the public. The neighborhood is just south of Wellfield Botanic Gardens, which features 20 distinct gardens and remains open year-round. A new 12,000-square foot visitors center is scheduled to open at Wellfield in December 2024.
Rows of unique homes sit close together in Christiana Creek.
Ruthmere is a mansion that was built in the early 1900s and is now open to the public for tours.
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Beardsley Elementary partners with Boys and Girls Club
Beardsley Elementary, which receives a C-minus rating on Niche, partners with the adjoining Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart for after school programs. Students move on to C-rated North Side Middle and B-minus-rated Elkhart High. Elkhart High opened in 2021 as a merger of Elkhart Central and Elkhart Memorial High Schools – both of which split from the original Elkhart High before coming back together nearly 50 years later. Freshmen now attend the old Elkhart Central campus on the city’s south side before finishing high school at the former Memorial campus on the North Side.
Beardsley Elementary School is also home to the local boys and girls club.
North Side Middle School has 630 students with a C rating on Niche.
Elkhart High School is a top rated school in the area with a B minus on niche.
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Community events at Ruthmere Mansion
Though most of the plants aren’t in bloom, December is one of the most popular months at Wellfield as the botanic garden is covered with thousands of holiday lights for its Winter Wonderland display. Ruthmere hosts a variety of events, including Coffee on the Piazza from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday while the weather permits. In 2023, Ruthmere began holding Christiana Neighborhood Day as a way to connect the neighborhood’s current residents to the historic home. “This is helping us meet our neighbors and learn how we can make the immediate community better for everybody,” Hutslar says.
A walking-friendly neighborhood
First built in the time of the horse-and-buggy, Christiana Creek remains pedestrian friendly, earning a Walk Score of 66 out of 100. Downtown Elkhart, less than a mile away, is within comfortable walking distance via the Main Street Bridge. The Interurban Trolley Blue Line also stops on Beardsley Avenue.
Residents of Christiana Creek enjoy walking through Downtown Elkhart.
Residents of Christiana Creek use the scenic bridges to cross the Saint Joseph River.
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Downtown Elkhart is right across the river
Christiana Creek is just across The Saint Joe from downtown Elkhart, which offers a multitude of dining options. “When I first moved here, you pretty much had to travel to South Bend for entertainment,” says Mark Krol, a 20-year area resident. “Now downtown Elkhart is thriving.” The Vine is a popular bistro with a long wine list and patio seating. Breakfast options are plentiful, including Steelyard Coffee Co., Electric Brew and Tipsy Biscuit. Kroger and Martin’s Super Market are the nearest grocery stores.
Christiana Creek is walking distance from Downtown Elkhart.
Take a look at unique books at Bookworm near Christiana Creek.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Penny Seegers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Studebaker Park
Riverview Park
Wellfield Botanic Gardens
River Greenway Trail
NIBCO Soccer Fields
Kardzhali Park
Willowdale Park
Transit
Airport
South Bend International
42 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Christiana Creek
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Christiana Creek Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Christiana Creek, Elkhart sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Christiana Creek, Elkhart over the last 12 months is $194,000, up 39% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This home is for the discerning buyer only! Set in a Norman Rockwell neighborhood it has been lovingly maintained and retains many original features: Original bead board on the front and back porch ceilings. Original front door of real wood and glass. Baseboards many inches tall and thick. Original oak floors the have been refinished. Original kitchen pantry cabinets to the ceiling and bathroom
This renovated two story will take your breath away ! Wow! All New Roof, Windows, Kitchen, Appliances, Flooring, Bathroom , Paint and more. Newer Furnace and Water Heater ! This nice home has Large Cooks Kitchen with spacious dining area! It has 3 nice sized bedrooms and a landing/area that could be used for your own office space, as well as a playspace for the kids ! The home has a large family
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Penny Seegers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
393
Median Age
35
Population under 18
29%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$56,249
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$88,627
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.7%
College Graduates
21.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.5%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
61/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
