• 1898 - According to the Indianapolis Parks’ chronology 1895 – 1945, a bridge was built over Crooked Creek in 1898 about 100 feet from the White River. Also in this year, a nursery was set out in the Riverside Park.
• 1901 - Allison married Sarah W. Cornelius.
• 1909 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Company was incorporated in February 1909.
• 1910 - Construction of permanent fish hatchery began at the north end of Riverside Park, with a lodge to be occupied by two men hired to oversee the hatchery.

Riverdale: The James A. Allison years

• 1910 - James A. Allison purchased the property on Cold Spring Road.
• 1911 - James A. Allison commissioned Jens Jensen to design his estate.
• 1911 (June) - Jensen completed the “General Plan, Grounds of Mr. James A. Allison.”
• 1911 (August) - Jensen completed the “Planting Plan for Grounds, Mr. James A. Allison.”
• 1911 (August) - Jensen completed the “Planting Plan for Gardens, Estate of Mr. James A. Allison.”
• 1912 (June) - Jensen completed revisions of the “Planting Plan for Grounds, Mr. James A. Allison” to include New Drive, Pool, and Planting.
• 1912 - A forty-foot strip of ground on west side was given to Allison, Fisher, and Wheeler to widen Myers Road. Also, construction of new bridge over Crooked Creek was begun in concert with road widening/improvement.
• 1913 - The Crooked Creek bridge was completed.
• 1914 - The Allison Mansion was completed at a reported cost of $2 million.
• 1914 - Jensen began work at “Fair Lane”, the Henry Ford Estate in Dearborn, Michigan.
• 1928 - James Allison dies.
• 1930 - Mr. Allison’s mother resided in the home here until her death in 1930.

Riverdale: After James A. Allison

• 1936 - A small portion of the estate, the river works, was sold to Charles Sommers for his Stewart Manor.

Riverdale: Marian University

• 1936 - The Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg purchased the estate to establish Marian College, now which is now Marian University.