Upland is a small college town with diverse housing
Set in the shadow of the almost 1,000-acre Taylor University campus, Upland blends college atmosphere with rustic character. This area offers roomier residential lots than some other communities in this section of east-central Indiana, and is dotted with homes historic to new. They’re all close to the evolving, and well-regarded, university. “The growth of Taylor has increased the price of housing there,” says local Realtor Cathy Hunnicutt of Re/Max Realty One, one of the top-selling agents in the state with over 100 transactions per year. “It is a true college town environment. Really nice.”
Selection of homes packs plenty of variety
Most of Upland’s houses are located just north of the university, spread out on quiet blocks. Options range from homes built around the turn of the 20th century to brand-new builds, in places like the Highland subdivision. There’s a mix of bungalows, ranch-style homes and new traditional houses. “In Upland, you can get anything you want,” Hunnicutt says. “You can get a fixer-upper clear up to a $700,000 house. It’s a good mix.” Many lots here are at least one-fifth of an acre, and some are over an acre. Homes in the area needing work go for $40,000 to $90,000, while most properties in better condition sell for $110,000 to $400,000. Upland also has manufactured homes for $80,000 to $200,000.
Taylor University is expanding its population
Taylor University earns a B-plus rating on Niche and has roughly 2,100 students. The private Christian school’s 632-student fall 2024 freshman class was the biggest in its history, which dates back to 1846. Business, education, kinesiology and psychology are among Taylor’s most popular undergraduate programs.
Younger students in Upland can enter the B-rated Eastbrook Community School. Eastbrook South Elementary gets a B-plus and offers a robotics program. The B-rated Eastbrook Middle has its own football, volleyball, cross-country, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, track and golf teams. Extracurricular opportunities at the B-minus-rated Eastbrook High include a physics club and an art club.
Interstate 69 is a key to the rest of the region
Upland is just east of Interstate 69. The highway helps drivers get 14 miles to the nearby city of Marion, in combination with Indiana state Road 18. The larger city of Fort Wayne is roughly a 55-mile trip north on I-69. The Fort Wayne International Airport has nonstop flights to 13 cities, from Las Vegas to Phoenix. Indianapolis, Indiana’s capital, is about 80 miles south on I-69. The Marion Health – East Campus hospital, 3 miles away in neighboring Gas City, features a 24-hour emergency department.
Local businesses offer daily essentials, pizza and plenty of sweets
This area is predominantly residential outside of the university. However, residents are close to multiple businesses at the center of Upland, near the intersection of Main Street and Berry Avenue. The list includes Ivanhoe’s, a restaurant with a 60-year history and known for its 100 milkshake and 100 sundae varieties. Hunnicutt says Ivanhoe’s is a draw for people from all over. “Every time you go in there it’s typically packed," Hunnicutt says. Greek’s Pizzeria, around the corner, has popular breadsticks. Walnut Creek Country Market is a grocery option, with an Amish goods department offering everything from beef jerky to pies. There’s also a Dollar General on Main Street. Marion offers more big-box stores, including Walmart and Lowe’s.
Parks and trails help residents get active
Locals have access to multiple paths within Upland, including the 1-mile Main Street Trail, which has benches to rest on every tenth mile. The Seven Bridges Trail offers a good bit of shade. Both trails feature crushed limestone surfaces and are accented by wildflowers. Upland Park includes three ball diamonds, basketball courts and a playground. The smaller Upland Depot Park recognizes the area’s railroad heritage — the community was founded in the mid-1800s as the high point on the Indiana Central Railroad. Upland Depot Park has shaded picnic tables, a play structure modeled after a wooden train and a caboose car on display.
Tree lighting and farmers market bring people together
Upland Park hosts a farmers market one Friday evening a month from June to October. Each date includes a theme, like a bouncy house night and a young entrepreneurs market highlighting local kids’ products and services. Upland also has an annual Christmas tree lighting in early December at Depot Park, featuring hot chocolate, carols, a luminary walk and an appearance from Santa.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
