Muncie's Old West End historic neighborhood saw witness to the development and decline of the city's industrial evolution. As the city's industries left, so did many of the residents in the Old West End. The depopulation of the neighborhood yielded blight, decay, and crime well into the 2000s. In recent years, a stream of dedicated preservationists have targeted the Old West End for revitalization efforts. These individuals represent the ideal 'steward' in preserving, promoting, and revitalizing the physical history of Muncie's past.