The Town of Broad Ripple was started by the construction of the Central Canal in the early 1800s. Wellington (south of the canal) and Broad Ripple (on the north side of the canal) eventually combined. The Town of Broad Ripple was incorporated in 1894.

There were multiple attempts over the years to make the Town of Broad Ripple part of Indianapolis.

In 1906 the Common Council of Indianapolis introduced an ordinance to annex the Town of Broad Ripple.

That ordinance failed to pass.

In 1914 the Common Council of Indianapolis introduced an ordinance to annex the Town of Broad Ripple.

That ordinance passed.

Indianapolis Mayor Bell vetoed the ordinance and wrote a long letter to the Council accompanying his veto saying that the city could not take on the cost of maintaining the infrastructure of the area, as the roads, for example, are currently paid for by the County Commissioner.

In 1922 the Common Council of Indianapolis, for the third time, introduced an ordinance to annex the Town of Broad Ripple.

There was an official remonstrance against the annexation by the citizens of Broad Ripple (see section below). That ordinance passed and became law. The Town of Broad Ripple was no more.

In 1947 the Common Council of Indianapolis introduced an ordinance to annex the area of Broad Ripple Park. That ordinance passed.