WE GET TO LIVE HERE One-of-a-kind homes - LEARNING FROM THE BEST - Indiana Landmarks
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MARCH/APRIL 2019
Our annual Back to the Future
tour heads to Columbus
WE GET TO
LIVE HERE
One-of-a-kind homes
LEARNING
FROM THE BEST
Evansville hosts
statewide preservation
conference
F R OM THE PRES ID ENT STARTERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS William R. Goins
Hop in the
C HIC AG O HISTO RY MUSE UM, HE DRIC H-BLE SSING CO L L EC TIO N
Rushville
Hon. Randall T. Shepard
Honorary Chairman
Parker Beauchamp
Chairman
Tracy Haddad
Columbus
David A. Haist
Flivver
Culver
James P. Fadely, Ph.D. SETTLE INTO THE SEAT
Past Chairman Judith A. Kanne
Sara Edgerton
Rensselaer of a classy breezer for
Christine H. Keck a one-of-a-kind look at
History
Vice Chairman
Evansville
Marsh Davis
President Matthew R. Mayol, AIA downtown Indianapolis
Doris Anne Sadler
Indianapolis with Indiana
Floats
Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Sharon Negele
Attica Landmarks President
Thomas H. Engle
Assistant Secretary Cheryl Griffith Nichols Marsh Davis. Ride
Little Rock, AR
Brett D. McKamey
Martin E. Rahe
AL EX M ORG AN I M AG I NG
with Davis and clas-
Treasurer
T
Judy A. O’Bannon
Cincinnati, OH sic car collector Peter
Secretary Emerita James W. Renne Pappas in a 1929 Ford
Unparalleled Opportunity
Newburgh he USS LST-325, moored on the Ohio River in Evansville,
DIRECTORS George A. Rogge may be the only seaworthy war memorial in Indiana. LST Model A Phaeton and
Hilary Barnes
Gary
stands for Landing Ship Tank, the amphibious vessels that a 1936 Ford Phaeton
Indianapolis Sallie W. Rowland
Indianapolis transported troops and equipment to beaches for invasions of on a personal tour
BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS of our public/private partnership with the Edward D. Clere
Peter J. Sacopulos highlighting the city’s
New Albany
Terre Haute
Sicily, Salerno, and Normandy during World War II. LST-325 made
National Park Service that saved four extraordinary homes from Chicago’s 1933/34 Ellen Swisher Crabb preservation and auto-
Indianapolis Robert L. Santa more than 40 round trips between England and France in 1944. In
Century of Progress Exposition, Indiana Landmarks is poised to offer the famed Bloomington fact, it’s one of only a few surviving U.S. warships that went ashore motive history, with
Cheri Dick
House of Tomorrow for lease to a party that will undertake its restoration. Zionsville Charlitta Winston
on D-Day. Now owned and operated as a floating museum by stops for lunch and a
Indianapolis
A forward-looking, 12-sided glass invention, the House of Tomorrow created Olon F. Dotson
John D. Zeglis LST Ship Memorial, Inc., it’s the private look at a clas-
Muncie
a sensation at the Exposition. After the fair closed, the house was towed on barge Jeremy D. Efroymson
Culver
only fully functional exam- sic and rare car col-
Beau F. Zoeller LST-325 (left)
across Lake Michigan to Beverly Shores, Indiana, where it continues to fascinate Indianapolis
Indianapolis ple restored to its original and USS LST- lection. It’s just one of
visitors to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, even in its current unrestored Gregory S. Fehribach
Indianapolis design. Visit lstmemorial.org 388 at low the unique experiences
condition. In 2016, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named it a tide during
to learn more, or check out the invasion of we’ll auction at Rescue
National Treasure and esteemed architectural critic Paul Goldberger hailed it as OFFICES & HISTORIC SITES the landmark in person dur- Normandy in Party on April 27, our
“one of the true early monuments of American modernism.” June 1944.
P HOTO BY PAIGE WASSEL
Headquarters Southeast Field Office
ing Indiana’s Statewide annual fundraiser
Readying the house for a long-term lease from the National Park Service Indiana Landmarks Center Aurora Preservation Conference in to save endangered
1201 Central Avenue 812 926 0983
required years of planning. Indiana Landmarks engaged a stellar team of Indianapolis, IN 46202 Evansville, April 9-12 (more places. Learn more at
Southwest Field Office
architects and engineers, and we now have the specifications—approved by the info@indianalandmarks.org Evansville details on pp. 6-7). indianalandmarks.org/
317 639 4534 812 423 2988
National Park Service—to bring yesterday’s House of Tomorrow into the future 800 450 4534
rescue-party-2019
Western Regional Office
as a living, sustainable home. Leasing the House of Tomorrow offers an unparal- Northwest Field Office Terre Haute
Gary
812 232 4534
leled opportunity to live in a stunning work of architecture that comes with an 219 947 2657
Huddleston Farmhouse
equally spectacular view. Central Regional Office Cambridge City
Indianapolis
765 478 3172
Interested parties, please contact Todd Zeiger, director of Indiana Landmarks’ 317 639 4534
Morris-Butler House
Northern Regional Office, tzeiger@indianalandmarks.org, or visit indianalandmarks. Eastern Regional Office Indianapolis
Cambridge City
317 639 4534
org/house-of-tomorrow. 765 478 3172
Veraestau
Northern Regional Office Aurora
South Bend
812 926 0983
574 232 4534
Northeast Field Office
French Lick and West
Baden Springs tours
Lustron homes still exist in Indiana—prefabricated
Wabash
800 450 4534
866 571 8687 (toll free) steel houses designed as an affordable solution to
Marsh Davis, President 812 936 5870
Southern Regional Office the post-WWII housing shortage. On May 3, Steve
Jeffersonville
812 284 4534 and Laurie Snell will share their Lustron home’s
Built in 1959, the mid-century home owned by Julie Aton in story during a talk at the Portage Lakefront Pavilion
On the Columbus illustrates progressive residential design from the ©2019, Indiana Landmarks; ISSN#: 0737-8602 in advance of Indiana Landmarks’ Logs to Lustrons
Cover period. It’s one of five standouts on this year’s Back to the Future Indiana Landmarks publishes Indiana Preservation bimonthly tour on May 4. See more on our website,
tour on May 18. P HOTO BY AP RIL KNOX P HOTOG RA PH Y for members. To join and learn other membership benefits,
visit indianalandmarks.org or contact memberships@ indianalandmarks.org.
indianalandmarks.org, 317-639-4534 or 800-450-4534. To
offer suggestions for Indiana Preservation, contact editor@
indianalandmarks.org.
2 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 3
BAC K TO THE F UTURE
the bedroom wing from the street.
A massive skylight illuminates the
foyer, which includes a built-in stone
fountain the Rancks’ daughter Melissa
recalls her parents would turn on when
they were entertaining guests. A nurse,
Melissa grew up in the house with
three siblings and now lives there as her
mother’s caregiver.
Tall windows shed natural light on
the living room, which features beamed ABOVE: At least for the Ranck House’s distinctive design along with many oth-
vaulted ceilings and a stone corner two homes on ers. A Latvian native, Meijers and his wife Ruta immigrated
this year’s tour
fireplace. Nearby, the formal dining were designed by
to the United States in 1949, arriving in Columbus in 1951,
room includes three built-in interior Talivaldis “Ted” where he worked as a carpenter’s apprentice before establishing
planters along a wall of glass overlook- Meijers, a prolific his construction firm.
ing a freeform pool installed in 1975. Columbus home- Meijers constructed another home on this year’s tour in
builder whose work
The kitchen boasts original streamlined includes the 1962 the Noblitt Falls subdivision, known as “The Lagoons” for its
cabinetry by the Nappanee-based high-style ranch man-made lakes. Built in 1959 for orthopedic surgeon Dr.
Mutschler Company, Formica coun- (above) designed Floyd Mohler and his family, it is now home to local business-
for Benjamin and
tertops, and a peninsula with built-in woman Julie Aton. Passionate about Mid-Century Modern
Esther Ranck.
cook-top, stainless-steel counter, and She still lives in design, Aton shares her knowledge as a volunteer tour guide for
copper vent hood supported by legs the home, where the Columbus Area Visitors Center. “I knew I had to have this
resting on the counter. The sunken several rooms house on the very first day I toured it at the open house back
retain original
family room still features pecky cypress finishes and period
in 2015,” Julie says. “I made an offer that same day, and have
Columbus Tour Spotlights Mid-Century Standouts
paneling, original pendant fixtures and furnishings. enjoyed furnishing it with period furniture and art.”
built-in seating. Visitors on the May An architectural standout, the home’s post-and-beam con-
BELOW LEFT:
18 tour will also see the cabana-like struction supports a broad, central gabled roof with a window
Inside the foyer
IT’S INCREASINGLY RARE TO FIND MODERNIST Indiana Modern’s finishes and period furnishings. It’s poolside laundry room with stand-in of Julie Aton’s wall overlooking the lake behind the house. Coupled with the
houses occupied by their original owners. Like time capsules, annual Back to the one of five exceptional residences that shower, original cabinetry, and tile. home, a geomet- wide, screened-in back porch, the views give the home the feel-
Future: A Mid- ric wooden grid
these homes offer a uniquely intimate and authentic glimpse Century Modern
will be featured on Indiana Modern’s Talivaldis “Ted” Meijers (1926- ing of a lakeside resort.
creates a sense
of an era. The high-style ranch built for Benjamin and Esther Home Tour on 2019 Back to the Future home tour in 2012) shaped much of Columbus’s of compressed
The house is filled with features considered state-of-the
Ranck in 1962 in Columbus, Indiana, is one such example. May 18 spotlights Columbus on May 18. residential designs during the mid- space accentuat- art in the late 1950s, including a built-in hamper that can
Dr. Ranck passed away in 2015, but Esther continues to live in five exceptional Benjamin and Esther met in twentieth century. His local company, ing the vaulting be loaded in the master bathroom and unloaded in the adja-
residences of the living room ceiling
the home, where virtually all living spaces retain their original period in Columbus. Bloomington while attending Indiana Custom Built Homes, is responsible cent laundry room. A Westinghouse electrical dock in the
beyond, a device
The tour includes University, choosing after graduation often employed kitchen includes designated outlets for a coffee maker, popcorn
the 1959 home of to establish Dr. Ranck’s family practice by Frank Lloyd machine, and electric griddle. The floor-plan illustrates progres-
Julie Aton (above Wright.
in Columbus—drawn by the com- sive ideas in residential design, including a master bedroom
and left), a post-
and-beam design munity’s livability, thriving economy, separated from the other bedrooms, a finished walkout lower
with a unique blond and suitable schools. An education level with family room, and a single informal dining space
brick fireplace wall major, Esther wanted to study botany, Aton and her fiancé, Chad Heimlich, reconnected during the
separating living
room and kitchen.
and her lifelong passion for plants is last Back to the Future home tour in Columbus in 2011, both
PHOTO BY APRIL KNOX reflected in the home’s unique interior serving as docents at his mother’s house, another Meijers design.
PHOTOGRAPHY
planters and attached greenhouse. Three additional houses will be open for the tour on Saturday,
Typical of its era, the house is May 18, from 1-6 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 for non-mem-
strikingly horizontal. A band of floor- bers, $15 for Indiana Landmarks members, and $10 for Indiana
to-ceiling windows spans the street- Modern members. Day-of-tour tickets will be $25. For more on
facing wall of the living room, while the tour’s headquarters and ticket outlets, call 317-639-4534 or
a nearly windowless stone wall shields visit indianalandmarks.org.
4 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 5
STATEW IDE CON FE R ENCE
“Preservation in Evansville has ebbed
and flowed quite a bit,” says Amy
MacDonell, who served as the city’s his-
toric preservation officer in the 1980s.
“It’s wonderful to see the highly impact-
ful projects that have occurred recently,
such as the rehabilitation of upper story
spaces along Main Street, and the
revitalization of the Greyhound.”
At the conference, MacDonell and
her husband Randy Shepard, who
was Evansville deputy mayor before
his judicial career, will reflect on their
decades of preservation advocacy and On April 10, the 1921 principle of Washington, D.C.-based Retail & Development
the movement’s impact on Indiana in Victory Theatre Strategies and an authority on the redevelopment of historic
(above) hosts dinner
a plenary talk. During her tenure as and a talk by Randall buildings, communities, and urban districts.
preservation officer, MacDonell saw Shepard and Amy Other speakers will highlight Evansville’s history and
federal historic tax credits and housing MacDonell, who will architectural legacy. William Blair Scott, Jr., an expert on
reflect on preserva-
and urban development money used tion’s impact on the work of William Wesley Peters—architect of the Peters-
as dual incentives to fuel preserva- Indiana. William Margedant House at the University of Evansville—shares the
tion. Today she believes market forces, Blair Scott, Jr., an legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright’s first apprentice. University
expert on the work
including an increasing demand for of William Wesley of Evansville Professor James MacLeod will discuss the city’s
urban amenities, and financial tools Peters, will speak role during World War II. At Evansville’s magnificent Trinity
Celebrating Preservation Wins, such as tax increment financing are on the Evansville United Methodist Church, Jules T. Mominee of Mominee
architect’s national
bigger drivers for redevelopment. Studios will highlight restoration of some of Indiana’s most
Then and Now
legacy, including the
Conference keynote speaker Peters-Margedant beautiful historic stained-glass windows.
Tom Moriarity will speak to this House (below left). Three primary partners—Indiana Division of Historic
Conference visitors will
topic, discussing financial tools and have time to explore
Preservation and Archaeology, Indiana Landmarks, and
IN 1969, WHEN VANDERBURGH COUNTY Preserving landmark’s restoration. The combined techniques that encourage revitaliza- other recently revital- Indiana University—stage the annual Preserving Historic
government left its historic courthouse for a newly built Civic Historic Places: public-private partnership has fueled tion through historic preservation, ized Evansville land- Places conference, with support from the National Park
Indiana’s Statewide marks—we suggest a
Center, local officials planned to demolish the Beaux Arts Preservation
the building’s renovation over the past including Historic Tax Credits and bite at Bru Burger in
Service and the City of Evansville. Registration costs $175 per
building in the heart of downtown Evansville. Spared from Conference on April decade or so, installing a new roof, the potential of Federal Opportunity the former Greyhound person, $100 per student. Registration includes all education
the wrecking ball when demolition proved too costly, the 9-12 explores adap- updating mechanical systems, and Zones. Early in his career, he worked Station (below right). sessions, a reception, a luncheon, and two dinners. Register
courthouse found new use as offices, retail, and rental space. tive reuse of land- restoring hardwood floors, decorative in Indiana as Historic Madison’s first
PHOTOS BY: ABOVE, LEE
LEWELLEN; BELOW LEFT, and get the full conference schedule at indianalandmarks.org/
marks in Evansville JORDAN BARCLAY; BELOW RIGHT,
Today, one of the city’s earliest adaptive reuse projects remains from the ’60s and plaster, light fixtures, and wall and executive director. Today, Moriarity is © EVANSVILLE LIVING preserving-historic-places-conference.
a vibrant gathering space, the perfect conference headquarters ’70s and today. ceiling finishes. The updates include
for Preserving Historic Places: Indiana’s Statewide Preservation The Beaux Arts installation of a new catering kitchen,
Old Vanderburgh
Conference in Evansville, April 9-12. which—paired with the renovated
County Courthouse,
Designed by Louisville architect Henry Wolters and built used today as ballroom—give the landmark renewed
1888-1890, the stately landmark provided the setting for offices and an appeal as an event venue.
important events in the city’s history. Military established event venue, serves In recent years, Evansville’s been
as our conference
temporary headquarters at the courthouse during the Ohio headquarters.
on a revitalization roll, including
River flood of 1937. Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy both PHOTO BY ALEX MORGAN several high-profile projects. Along
IMAGING
delivered speeches from its steps on the campaign trail. with the reuse of the Art Moderne
After the county moved out, a grassroots group leased the Greyhound Station as Bru Burger,
building, supporting its preservation with fundraisers and the city’s 1882 Owen Block and 1917
rental income. In 2000, the county took over management, McCurdy Hotel found renewed use
but the Old Courthouse Foundation continues to assist the as apartments.
6 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 7
IT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND of vision to look at a historic house that needs TLC and see what it could become. It requires even more imagination to transform a building constructed for another use into a one-of-a-kind home. Across Indiana, such visionaries have embraced the adaptability of vintage buildings, taking up residence in a former church in Indianapolis, a fire house in New Harmony, a carriage house in South Bend, and a school in Goshen. Saving the Sacred No matter the weather outside, stained glass windows cast a golden glow over the dining and living room of Joel and Lauren Harsin’s home, located in the former Second Christian Church in Indianapolis’s Ransom Place neigh- borhood. Beneath a newly constructed loft in the former sanctuary, a two-sided fireplace offers a cozy seating area. A sturdy wooden table with mismatched seats sits under a stained glass window. A few steps from the newly built kitchen, a salvaged twentieth-century organ sits on a stage where the choir once sang, while the kitchen pantry occu- pies the former baptistery. It’s a dramatic transformation that those who saw the Craftsman building in its “before” state can hardly believe. Built in 1910 at the corner of 9th and Camp streets, Second Christian Church held a treasured place in the city’s African American community. The church’s early pastors served as directors of Flanner House, a pioneer- ing social service agency. While it continued to serve various congregations in the intervening years, by 2007, 8 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 9
Both came to the project with with it,” says Jeff. “He kept calling me at home, and sending
hands-on DIY experience. Joel, a me pictures of the building, which was for sale,” adds Cindy.
firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire “When we pulled up in front of the firehouse two weeks later,
Department, had renovated his 1918 tears rolled down my eyes. I thought, ‘This is perfect.’”
home in Irvington. Lauren, an interior New Harmony’s small-town atmosphere, rich history,
designer, had helped renovate the his- and strong art scene clinched the deal for the Smothermans.
toric commercial building that holds Six weeks after seeing it, the couple had purchased the 1899
her mother’s home furnishings busi- former city building and firehouse and moved there with
ness, Chatham Home. Though they their daughters, Sarah and Andrea. Inspired by HGTV’s series
worked with contractors to complete Building Character, they began making their longtime dream a
framing and drywall, they also put in reality, directing the rehabilitation of the building’s upper floor
a lot of sweat equity. Lauren wired the for their home and the lower level for their shop, aptly named
building, with an electrical contractor Firehouse Antiques.
Volunteer firefighters used to operate out of the building’s
ground floor, used by various businesses after the town govern-
the building was vacant and decaying, with peeling paint and Lauren’s office, and, on the other side Jeff and Cindy ment moved out. The second floor, once used for a variety of
gaping holes in the roof. of the former sanctuary, a spiral stair- Smotherman town functions, had remained relatively unused in the inter-
embraced the
To save the historic church, Indiana Landmarks gained case behind a false bookcase that leads history of New
vening years. Though few artifacts from the building’s history
temporary custody through court-ordered receivership. We sta- to a small den on the lower level. Harmony’s former remained, the Smothermans salvaged a vintage wood stove as
bilized the building, repainted the exterior, rebuilt the roof, rep- In the process of bringing the prop- city building and décor, and part of a 12-foot bench.
licated decorative bargeboard, repaired masonry and addressed erty back to life, they’ve enjoyed meet- firehouse, install- In adapting the space for their home, they incorporated sev-
ing their antiques
structural issues. When the owner couldn’t repay the cost of ing and hearing stories from people business on the first eral nods to the building’s history, installing a (non-working)
repairs, the 4,400 square-foot landmark went on the market. that hold memories of the building in floor and incorpo-
The Harsins had been scouring online real estate listings its church days. “We were fortunate to rating references to
the 1899 building’s
when they came across the church, admittedly last on their list find it at the time we did and forge a
history in their liv-
until they saw it in person. They admired the solid construc- relationship with Indiana Landmarks,” ing space above. In
tion and saw the former sanctuary as an adaptable open box. adds Joel. “We felt an obligation and a nod to the place’s
“We were intrigued by the idea of having an unusual property responsibility to the building and its early use as a jail,
they installed a cell
that wasn’t your typical house,” says Lauren. After Indiana checking her work, and installed toilets very important history as a corner- door to separate
The biggest obstacle came in trying to secure a construction Landmarks and faucets. The couple worked with stone of the neighborhood.” dining and kitchen
rehabbed the exte-
loan so they could begin adapting the interior for their needs. rior of Indianapolis’s
Kokomo Opalescent Glass to recreate areas.
“It wasn’t long after the housing crash and no one wanted to missing panes in the stained glass win- PHOTOS BY: ABOVE, LEE
Living the Dream
Second Christian LEWELLEN; RIGHT, STEWART
SEBREE
take a chance,” says Joel. “It was a months-long process.” Church to save it dows. “There’s nothing in here that we
The couple closed on the property in late 2013, but Indiana from deteriora- didn’t use or find a way to make part of Operating an antiques business in
tion, Lauren and
weather threw a wrench in their construction plans. The new Joel Harsin (above) the building,” says Lauren. Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Jeff and
loft they planned to construct in the sanctuary needed to have transformed the The Harsins saved every door they Cindy Smotherman traveled the coun-
its footers anchored in concrete in the basement to support the inside of the could and any original artifacts they try for work and play, dreaming of one
Craftsman church
weight of the system. Multiple days of subzero temperatures in uncovered, including a cabinet on the day living in a historic building with
as their home.
January made it impossible to pour the concrete, delaying con- Beneath a newly lower level. Other vintage pieces and their shop below. It was a dream they
struction for a month and putting the Harsins in a time crunch constructed loft in hardware came from trips to antique suspected wouldn’t be realized until
for completing the project within the parameters of the six- the former sanctu- and salvage shops, and Lauren’s mother they retired. But in June 2003, Jeff
ary, the couple
month loan. In the meantime, they completed other jobs as they installed a new
helped scout antiques and repur- traveled to New Harmony, Indiana,
could in the yet-to-be-insulated space. “We would plead our kitchen and cozy posed pieces to decorate the space. to participate in the town’s annual
case every month,” says Joel. “We finished up with the required seating area, fill- Inspired by a church they had visited Golden Raintree Antiques show, a trip
work just as they were sick of us asking for extensions.” ing the space with in Edinburgh, Scotland, they painted that turned out to be providential.
antique finds.
“While we were in the demo stage, friends kept asking us, PHOTOS BY EVAN HALE
the ceiling of the sanctuary blue. Their “Our booth was set up outside of
‘Are you sure about this?’ adds Lauren. “We never lost sight of design for the building incorporated this old firehouse, and I was looking at
what it could be.” unexpected surprises—a tiny loft in it all day, all weekend, and I fell in love
10 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 11
fireman’s pole in the living room. Next to their dining table, a Class Act blocks from mansions built for the
jail cell door decorates the brick wall separating the space from With 13-foot-tall ceilings and room city’s Studebaker, Birdsell, and Oliver
the kitchen, once used as the building’s small jail space. One of for 50, it’s fair to say that Phil and families. A century later, previous
the family’s favorite features is the former bell tower, accessed Melissa Dowty’s great room isn’t your owners remodeled the carriage house
via a spiral staircase on the second floor. Complete with the typical living room. Over a century for residential and business use, but in
original bell and arched windows overlooking Main Street, the ago, it was a classroom for the small a way that blends the best of old and
small room served as a secret retreat and site of many sleepovers community of Benton in Elkhart new. The update highlighted the build-
for Sarah and Andrea in childhood. County. By 1989, it was vacant, with ing’s historic character, leaving brick
The couple’s rehabilitation merited the first Jane B. Owen boarded-up windows, no heat or exposed, and retaining interior barn
In 1989, Phil Dowty
Award for Historic Preservation, given by the town in 2005. That rescued the 1914
water, and paint hanging off the ceil- doors that still function on pulleys.
same year, HGTV featured their home in an episode of the series Benton School for ing in foot-long sheets. But in it, Phil One barn door was fixed in place and
ReZoned. “It kind of brought the dream full circle,” says Cindy. his home, trans- Dowty saw a diamond in the rough, insulated to serve as an exterior wall.
forming one of its and bought the two-classroom school-
former classrooms
into a great room
house for his home.
with space for 50. “I grew up on ‘This Old House’ chalkboard were incorporated into the fireplace surround in
Original features, reruns and have always enjoyed older the great room. A carved stone marker recording the school’s
including tin ceil-
properties,” says Phil. “The biggest construction date, and names of the school trustee and board,
ings and cove
molding, maple challenge was figuring out how to architects, and contractor is set off in a wooden frame. Outside,
floors and oak trim, divide what existed into living space landscaping incorporates slate salvaged from the roof.
globe light fixtures, while keeping as much character as I Glass windows enclose the once-open belfry, now an
and pieces of
possibly could.” unusual sitting room with window seat. Tucked behind the
chalkboard in the
fireplace surround, Built in 1914, the brick school original school, the Dowtys built a two-story conservatory
all speak to the included two large classrooms flanking with Koi pond, family room, and in-ground swimming pool.
building’s earlier a central hallway and home economics On the west side, set back from the school’s front façade, they
use.
PHOTOS BY DEBRA PARCELL
room on the main floor, with a lower added a garage sympathetic in design to the historic building.
level that included the original boys’ Not a museum by any means, the school has provided a
and girls’ bathrooms, a coal room, great place to raise a family, incorporate heirloom antiques, and
furnace room, and a space where entertain friends. In making it their home, the Dowtys saved
students could gather for recess during the abandoned school, giving it new meaning while preserving
bad weather. the building’s heritage.
Phil largely kept the floor plan Donnie and Andrea “You have the benefit of seeing the
from the building’s days as a school, Rogers found the beautiful old wood without the draft
leaving one tall-ceilinged classroom Stable Living perfect live-work
arrangement in a
and insecurity of it being open,” says
open as the great room. The other At the intersection of two brick alleys just blocks from down- historic carriage Andrea. “It still has a nice rustic feel
classroom was subdivided into master town South Bend, a brick building offers a tucked-away retreat house in South that no one tried to modernize. The
bedroom, bathrooms, closet, and for Donnie and Andrea Rogers near the heart of the city. Bend, where inside still feels like a barn in a good
original barn doors
laundry space, with more bedrooms, Historic barn doors hint at the building’s original use as a car- separate rooms and way,” adds Donnie.
a den, and a sewing room downstairs. riage house. When the Rogers bought the place for their busi- form an exterior The Rogers operate their video
The kitchen went into the former ness Grass Roots Media in 2017, they intended to work in the wall. The couple production company on the first floor
operates a video
home ec space. He and Melissa mar- building and rent out the space they didn’t need. But gradually and live on the upper level. Their
production com-
ried four years into the renovation, the charms of a live-work arrangement convinced them to sell pany on the first primary updates included paint and
and she joined him in transforming their Craftsman house and move into the carriage house. floor, and lives on minor repairs, laying cable to support
the space into a comfortable home. “There’s no place like it in South Bend,” says Donnie. “It is the upper level. the technological needs of their busi-
PHOTOS BY MATT CASHORE
Throughout the process, the this interesting little tableau in the city that doesn’t look any- ness, and adapting the upstairs to suit
Dowtys retained as much original thing like what you see just two blocks away.” their style. “The place is unique and
material as they could, including the Built in the late 1870s, the simple brick structure served cozy and people enjoy coming over
maple floors and oak trim, globe light as a carriage house for the fancier Second Empire home of here. It’s always a conversation piece,”
fixtures, and tin ceilings. Pieces of Albert and Martha Cushing on West Washington Street, just says Andrea.
12 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 13
N E WS I N DI AN A AU TO MOT I V E
finding matching Indiana limestone
for historic buildings is one of the eas-
iest things you can do from a preserva-
tion perspective,” says Logan Cook,
professional engineer with WJE.
Construction on the Memorial
began in 1926 and continued into the Built for
1960s. While the exterior is impres-
sive in its own right, the interior is an
architectural thrill ride dominated by
Speed
the Shrine Room, a cavernous space AUTO RACING IS BIG IN
with dramatic lighting, deep blue central Indiana, drawing thousands
glass windows, and blood-red marble to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
columns. At its center stands the each year to watch drivers compete for
Altar of Consecration, a giant marble fame and fortune. Many of those big-
box beneath an enormous suspended name drivers get their start racing go-
Secrets Behind the American flag, all topped by the mas-
sive Star of Destiny. The building’s
karts at much smaller tracks around
the country.
Scaffolding renovation aims to protect this awe-
inspiring hidden gem.
Last summer, workers from WJE
Established in 1958, Whiteland
Raceway Park is believed to be the
oldest consecutively operated kart
RISING 210 FEET ABOVE STREET LEVEL, THE Last summer, work- and STRUCTURAL shrouded the track in America. It’s been a test- Last year, former September. The new owners banished weeds overtaking the
Indiana War Memorial commands attention in downtown ers began making monument in scaffolding to begin ing ground for professional driv- IndyCar team own- track and performed a general facelift.
repairs to halt water ers Sarah Fisher
Indianapolis. Based on the design of the Mausoleum at infiltration threat- repairs. The project is temporarily on ers including Tony Stewart, John and Andy O’Gara
Now, the partners are working to return the track to its
Halicarnassus—one of the original Seven Wonders of the ening the show- hold as cold weather prevents neces- Andretti, and Lyn St. James. It’s also and business part- 1950s footprint, using physical clues and aerial images to
World—the temple-like building serves as the focal point of the stopping interior sary masonry work but is expected to a destination for families introducing ner Wink Hartman rebuild portions of the nine-turn layout buried in recent years.
of the Indiana War bought Whiteland
Indiana War Memorial Plaza, a National Historic Landmark Memorial. On March be completed later in 2019. their children to the sport, a tradition They also plan to rebuild the track’s banked turn wall, build
Raceway Park to
district. Though it was built to honor Indiana veterans of World 7, a free talk at In the meantime, Indiana that led former IndyCar team owners save it from demoli- new rental garages, and add a check-in building with pro shop
War I, today the landmark recognizes the contributions of Indiana Landmarks Landmarks highlights the War Sarah Fisher and Andy O’Gara to visit tion. They’ve been and technical center.
Center highlights making improve-
Hoosier veterans of all wars. In spite of its monumental visage, the challenges of
Memorial’s preservation with a free the park with their son and daughter “We value the historic background the facility has, and in
ments to return the
persistent leaks have plagued the building for years, damaging preserving the talk on March 7, where Cook will last year. talking with others that started there, it means a lot to them
kart track, believed
plaster and threatening its spectacular interior. Indianapolis icon. discuss the challenges of repairing the O’Gara raced at Whiteland too,” says Fisher.
to be one of the
PHOTOS BY: ABOVE,
In 2016, the state of Indiana hired crews from Indianapolis- WISS, JANNEY, ELSTNER Indianapolis icon. Get details on the Raceway Park in his youth, so when oldest in America, You can hear more from Sarah Fisher about the project
ASSOCIATES;
based Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) to identify the BELOW, EVAN HALE event on page 19. he and Fisher heard the track might to its 1950s and other racing adventures when she joins Donald Davidson
footprint.
source of water infiltration. A professional daredevil crew— be bulldozed for a parking lot, they PHOTO © WHITELAND
for a free talk sponsored by Indiana Automotive at Indiana
dubbed by WJE as the Difficult Access Team—climbed out of joined with business partner Wink RACEWAY PARK
Landmarks Center on April 4 (details on p. 19).
an observation window near the very top of the structure, scaling Hartman to buy the place last
down its stepped face in an operation that would have looked at
home in a Hollywood blockbuster. Their verdict: over time, lead
sheet metal covering tops of the limestone cladding had expanded
and contracted, resulting in fractures that let water drip through.
The professionals recommended carefully removing the
limestone, replacing the sheet metal, and installing a water-
proofing material behind it. During the process, crews will
salvage original material that can be saved and replace spalled
limestone with new pieces matching the original aesthetic and
profiles. “The wonderful thing about Indiana limestone is that
it’s very uniform no matter which quarry it comes from, so
14 INDIANA PRESERVATION
M E M B ER PROF ILE
FOR LANDMARKS ON THE MARKET
SALE see more at indianalandmarks.org/for-sale
Brownie camera. An Evansville native, Indianapolis and including Indiana
Shepard recalls becoming interested Landmarks in their estate plans.
in historic buildings as a high school Thirty-seven years after first meet-
freshman, traveling down the city’s ing, supporting preservation remains
historic Washington Avenue to attend central to the couple’s interests.
Central High School, at that time the For their 20th wedding anniver-
oldest public high school in continu- sary, Shepard surprised MacDonell
ous operation west of the Alleghenies. by endowing a fund supporting a
It was torn down in the ’70s for a preservation lecture series in both
parking lot. their names with the Vanderburgh
In their early professions, both Community Foundation. The pair
played key roles in fostering preserva- reflect on their decades of preserva-
tion in Evansville. As deputy mayor tion advocacy and the movement’s 17 Tweedy Lane Anderson
in the 1970s, Shepard helped find impact on Indiana in a plenary talk Mid-Century Modern ranch designed from 1954 Indianapolis Home Show archi-
people to staff the city’s first preserva- at this year’s statewide preservation tectural plans on corner lot. Original features carefully preserved including floor-
to-ceiling windows, abundant cabinets and closets, tiled bathrooms, parquet
tion commission, and he advocated conference in Evansville, April 9-12 floors, marble window sills, slate entryway. 4 Beds, 2 Baths. 2,752 square feet.
for the city to take title to the Old (see pp. 6-7). $204,900 / Ted Moss / tmoss@bhhsin.com / 765-730-6677
A Match Made in Preservation
Post Office and Customs House after “The way in which we connected
the federal government moved out goes back to a core belief in the
of the 1870s Gothic building. As importance of historic buildings as
RANDY SHEPARD AND AMY MACDONELL LIKE A lifelong pas- the city’s historic preservation officer assets in a community’s life,” says
to say that old buildings brought them together. Fresh out of sion for history (she got the job), MacDonell oversaw MacDonell.
and preservation
graduate school in 1982, MacDonell was visiting Evansville brought Randy
the rehabilitation of that landmark
to interview for the city’s historic preservation officer posi- Shepard and and many others along Main and
tion. Then serving as a local judge, Shepard was emceeing a Amy MacDonell Washington streets. Today, the Old
banquet where they were introduced. “It was National Historic together and led Post Office thrives, housing offices
to a decades-long
Preservation Week, so it was meant to be,” jokes MacDonell. relationship with and serving as an event venue.
Both gained an appreciation of historic buildings in their Indiana Landmarks Through their work in Evansville,
formative years. MacDonell grew up in a Colonial Revival-style that led them to Shepard and MacDonell learned
include us in their
home on Lima, Ohio’s Market Street and credits family trips to about Indiana Landmarks and
estate plans. As
Maine and Vermont with sharpening her interest in old build- deputy mayor of became fervent supporters of its
ings, a frequent subject of vacation photos taken on her Kodak mission. Shepard chaired Indiana
Evansville in the
1970s, Shepard Landmarks’ board of directors in
B R I EFLY N OTED
advocated for the Indiana Landmarks sadly notes Suzane Thomas House 828 East Adams Street, Muncie
city to take on the
the 1990s and continues to serve
the passing of several dynamic Alfred Grindle-designed 1896 Colonial Revival gem in National Register district
Old Post Office as honorary chairman. As former civic leaders in recent months: has 5,400 square feet (plus third floor and basement), original woodwork and
(left) when the Indiana Supreme Court Chief Eugene Busche of Carmel and hardware, large rooms with lots of natural light, eight fireplaces, and large car-
federal govern- Justice, Shepard chaired the state’s Henry Ryder of Indianapolis, who riage house. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Saved from exploitation, and largely restored.
ment moved out. both chaired Indiana Landmarks’
MacDonell oversaw
Courthouse Preservation Advisory $300,000 / Frank Meeker / 765-702-0717
board of directors, as well as Joy
the building’s Commission, a group charged with Sacopulos of Terre Haute, another
rehabilitation as the studying the condition of the state’s former board member and winner
city’s preservation
historic courthouses and offering of our Servaas Memorial Award
Want to see
officer. Advertising in Indiana Landmarks’ magazine and on
recommendations for their preser- for Historic Preservation. We also
PHOTOS BY: ABOVE, EVAN
lost Patsy Powell of Butlerville, your historic our website puts your vintage property in front of
HALE; LEFT, LEE LEWELLEN
vation. The couple practices what an ideal audience—people who love historic places.
another former Servaas Award property for Contact editor@indianalandmarks.org to learn
they preach, living in a mid-1920s winner who founded Owen sale here? more about our ad options and rates.
Colonial Revival-style home in County Preservations.
16 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 17
March/April 2019
Tours & Events RSVP & BUY TICKETS
for events at indianalandmarks.org/tours-events or by
calling (800) 450-4534 or (317) 639-4534
First Friday
FRENCH
LICK & WEST
BADEN
SPRINGS
State Preservation
Conference
Apr. 9-12, Evansville
Attend the conference and see revital-
TOURS
Indianapolis ized landmarks in this Ohio River
Tours depart from
Rescue
Our Rapp Family Gallery hosts free art shows, with an option our Landmarks town, where you’ll have choices in
to tour our restored headquarters. 6-9 p.m. Emporium in each educational session topics, workshops,
Party
historic hotel on meals in interesting places, and tours
MAR. 1 “Landmark,” a group show exploring the idea of “What IN 56 in southern
that educate and entertain. $175/per-
is a Landmark?” in fine art, photography, metalwork, fiber Indiana. Combo
ticket available. son, $100/student. See pp. 6-7.
and jewelry
Apr. 27, Indianapolis
P
Discount for
arty for a great cause—
MAY 3 “Indiana’s 10 Most Endangered” artistic illustrations members on tours Logs to Lustrons
saving endangered
show idealized depictions of threatened landmarks, juxta- and in shops.
Reservations
Tour & Talk
posed with photography of the historic sites in their current, recommended. May 3-4, Indiana Dunes
places—during A Hot
perilous conditions 812-936-5870. Indiana Landmarks partners with the
Time in the Big Easy. Expect
January-March National Park Service to present the
NOLA-inspired music and food,
free wine and Upland Brewery
Landmark Look Wed.-Sun. fourth annual Logs to Lustrons tour, fea-
Mar. 2, Indianapolis WBS – 2 p.m. turing thirteen sites and eight interiors
craft beer, plus traditional New FLS – Noon
Tour the restored South Side Turnverein, a formerly endan- highlighting a century of architecture in
Orleans cocktails at cash bars. April-December
gered landmark repurposed as headquarters for Point Comfort the Indiana Dunes—from log homes
Check out the newly announced WBS – Mon.-Sat.,
Underwriters. 3-5 p.m. $10/person; Free for members. to Victorian-era houses to Modernist
10 Most Endangered and 2 & 4 p.m.; Sun.,
10 a.m. & 2 p.m. residences. Hands-on activities for kids,
applaud this year’s winner of
the Cook Cup for Outstanding
Behind the Scaffolding Talk FLS – Noon who can earn Junior Ranger badges.
Mar. 7 Indianapolis 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Time. Tour-
Restoration before bidding on Twilight Tours
one-of-a-kind Indiana experi- Logan Cook, professional engineer with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Costumed
goers park at Indiana Dunes Visitor
ences. Finish the evening with Associates, presents a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges characters depict Center and are shuttled to tour sites,
dessert buffets and dancing of preserving the Indiana War Memorial (see p. 14) during famous guests with last bus departing at 2 p.m. $30/
an illustrated talk at Indiana Landmarks Center. Doors open at West Baden general public, $25/member, Free for
to the music of Sunset Stomp Springs during
Jazz Band. Rescue Party raises at 5:30 p.m. for a cash bar and light refreshments before talk its heyday in the
children under age 16 with RSVP; box
money for our Endangered begins at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A session. Free. ’teens and ’20s. lunches available for an additional cost
Places programs, and this year Timed tours: during some tour times.
we’re donating a portion of Behind the Scaffolding Tour 7, 7:10, & 7:20 p.m.
Come on May 3 for talks by experts
SOLD OUT May 25, June 22,
the proceeds to continuing July 20, Aug. 17, offering additional background and
Katrina recovery in historic New On this 60-minute guided tour, guests will learn about recent Sept. 14. details about the tour sites, 7-9 p.m. at
Orleans. 6-11 p.m. Before April work to preserve the Indiana War Memorial, as well as its history, $20/general Portage Lakefront Pavilion. $10/gen-
5, tickets are $75/friend, $125/ architecture, and contributions of veterans recognized in its halls. public, $18/
eral public, $5/member
member
patron; After April 5, tickets are
$85/friend, $150/patron. Talking Track Indianalandmarks.
Apr. 4, Indianapolis org/french-lick- Back to the Future
west-baden
BOB ZYROMSKI
Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian Donald Davidson May 18, Columbus
interviews retired driver and former team-owner Sarah Fisher, See five private Mid-Century Modern
INDIANAPOLIS Monument Circle City Market Catacombs Athenaeum on stage at Indiana Landmarks Center. Davidson always pro- homes in Indiana’s Modernist Mecca
TOURS Saturdays, 10 a.m.,
May-October
1st and 3rd Saturdays, May-October,
and an additional Saturday,
2nd Saturdays,
May-September, noon
vides an entertaining evening of insights and humorous digres-
sions. Sponsored by our Indiana Automotive affinity group.
on our 12th annual Back to the Future
tour. 1-6 p.m. Tickets in advance
Indianalandmarks.org/ Free guided tours depart October 26, 10 & 10:30 a.m., 11 & Advanced ticket required.
11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 & 1 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with cash bar and light refreshments are $20/general public, $15/Indiana
ongoing-tours-events from South Bend Chocolate $10/general public age 12
Co., 30 Monument Circle. Advance ticket required. $12/ and up, $5/child (age 6-11), available; talk begins at 6 p.m. Free with RSVP. Landmarks member, $10/Indiana
No reservation required. general public, $6/child (age 6-11), $8/member, $4 for children Modern member. $25/person on day
$10/member, $5/child of a member. of members (age 6-11). of tour. See pp. 4-5.
18 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 19Nonprofit Org.
PAID
U.S. Postage
1201 Central Avenue
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN 46202 Permit No. 3464
AN D F INALLY
Recognition
for County
Homes
IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, Only 10 of Indiana’s 92 list in 2014. Using a grant from the Efroymson Family
before federal programs existed to care counties continue to Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, we
operate functioning
for the poor and disabled, Indiana’s county homes. Many
hired preservation consultant Dr. James Glass to prepare
92 counties operated poor farms have been demol- a multiple property National Register nomination for all
where people in need could live and ished, even more have of Indiana’s county homes. By detailing their history and
work. These places gradually lost their been closed or sold. architecture statewide, the nomination paves the way for
The c.1918 Clinton
purpose as federal agencies supplanted County Home in other county homes to be listed in the National Register, a
them, making county homes increas- Frankfort (above), one designation that brings honor and, in some cases, opportu-
ingly threatened landmarks statewide. of five county homes nities for tax credits for rehabilitation. Indiana Landmarks
added to the National
By 2013, only 48 remained. concurrently nominated homes in Carroll, Clinton,
Register last year, still
Often handsome complexes with a serves residents with Hendricks, Knox, and Randolph counties—all added to the
rich heritage, historic county homes special needs. National Register late last year.
deserve a better fate. To lend a hand, PHOTO BY TOMMY KLECKNER
Learn more about Indiana’s county homes at
Indiana Landmarks added the build- indianalandmarks.org/news.
ings to our 10 Most Endangered
indianalandmarks.orgYou can also read
