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 FROM THE PRESIDENT STARTERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS William R. Goins Rushville Hon. Randall T. Shepard Hop in the Honorary Chairman Tracy Haddad Columbus Parker Beauchamp Flivver Chairman David A. Haist Culver James P. Fadely, Ph.D. SETTLE INTO THE SEAT Past Chairman Judith A. Kanne Rensselaer of a classy breezer for Sara Edgerton Vice Chairman Christine H. Keck a one-of-a-kind look at Evansville Marsh Davis downtown Indianapolis President Matthew R. Mayol, AIA Indianapolis with Indiana Doris Anne Sadler History Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Sharon Negele Attica Landmarks President Thomas H. Engle Assistant Secretary Cheryl Griffith Nichols Marsh Davis. Ride Little Rock, AR Floats ALEX MORGAN IMAGING Brett D. McKamey with Davis and clas- Treasurer Martin E. Rahe

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM, HEDRICH-BLESSING COLLECTION MUSEUM, HEDRICH-BLESSING HISTORY CHICAGO Cincinnati, OH sic car collector Peter Judy A. O’Bannon Secretary Emerita James W. Renne Pappas in a 1929 Ford 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 Gary Unparalleled Opportunity Hilary Barnes stands for Landing Ship Tank, the amphibious vessels that a 1936 Ford Phaeton Indianapolis Sallie W. Rowland Indianapolis on a personal tour Ttransported troops and equipment to beaches for invasions of BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS of our public/private partnership with the Edward D. Clere New Albany Peter J. Sacopulos Sicily, Salerno, and Normandy during World War II. LST-325 made highlighting the city’s Terre Haute National Park Service that saved four extraordinary homes from Chicago’s 1933/34 Ellen Swisher Crabb more than 40 round trips between England and France in 1944. In preservation and auto- Indianapolis Robert L. Santa Century of Progress Exposition, Indiana Landmarks is poised to offer the famed Bloomington motive history, with Cheri Dick fact, it’s one of only a few surviving U.S. warships that went ashore House of Tomorrow for lease to a party that will undertake its restoration. Zionsville Charlitta Winston Indianapolis on D-Day. Now owned and operated as a floating museum by stops for lunch and a A forward-looking, 12-sided glass invention, the House of Tomorrow created Olon F. Dotson Muncie John D. Zeglis LST Ship Memorial, Inc., it’s the private look at a clas- a sensation at the Exposition. After the fair closed, the house was towed on barge Culver Jeremy D. Efroymson only fully functional exam- LST-325 (left) sic and rare car col- Indianapolis Beau F. Zoeller across Lake Michigan to Beverly Shores, Indiana, where it continues to fascinate Indianapolis ple restored to its original and USS LST- lection. It’s just one of Gregory S. Fehribach 388 at low visitors to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, even in its current unrestored Indianapolis design. Visit lstmemorial.org 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.” ing Indiana’s Statewide June 1944. Headquarters Southeast Field Office 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 Evansville, April 9-12 (more Indianapolis, IN 46202 Southwest Field Office places. Learn more at [email protected] architects and engineers, and we now have the specifications—approved by the 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 Western Regional Office rescue-party-2019 WASSEL PAIGE BY PHOTO 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, [email protected], 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 French Lick and West Northeast Field Office Baden Springs tours Lustron homes still exist in Indiana—prefabricated Wabash 866 571 8687 (toll free) steel houses designed as an affordable solution to Marsh Davis, President 800 450 4534 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 Columbus illustrates progressive residential design from the On the ©2019, Indiana Landmarks; ISSN#: 0737-8602 in advance of Indiana Landmarks’ Logs to Lustrons period. It’s one of five standouts on this year’s Back to the Future Cover Indiana Landmarks publishes Indiana Preservation bimonthly tour on May 4. See more on our website, tour on May 18. PHOTO BY APRIL KNOX PHOTOGRAPHY 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 forIndiana Preservation, contact editor@ indianalandmarks.org. 2 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 3 BACK TO THE FUTURE

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- tertops, and a peninsula with built-in for Benjamin and 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 paneling, original pendant fixtures and furnishings. enjoyed furnishing it with period furniture and art.” Columbus Tour Spotlights Mid-Century Standouts 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 Inside the foyer struction supports a broad, central gabled roof with a window 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- these homes offer a uniquely intimate and authentic glimpse will be featured on Indiana Modern’s Talivaldis “Ted” Meijers (1926- ric wooden grid ing of a lakeside resort. Century Modern 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 the home, where virtually all living spaces retain their original Bloomington while attending Indiana Custom Built Homes, is responsible living room ceiling cent laundry room. A Westinghouse electrical dock in the period in Columbus. 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 in Columbus—drawn by the com- Wright. 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 STATEWIDE CONFERENCE

“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 such as tax increment financing are on the Evansville United Methodist Church, Jules T. Mominee of Mominee architect’s national Celebrating Preservation Wins, bigger drivers for redevelopment. legacy, including the Studios will highlight restoration of some of Indiana’s most 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 Then and Now 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 tive reuse of land- PHOTOS BY: ABOVE, LEE courthouse found new use as offices, retail, and rental space. restoring hardwood floors, decorative in Indiana as Historic Madison’s first 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, Conference in Evansville, April 9-12. Old Vanderburgh 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 when they came across the church, admittedly last on their list find it at the time we did and forge a the 1899 building’s 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 After Indiana that wasn’t your typical house,” says Lauren. checking her work, and installed toilets very important history as a corner- door to separate Landmarks The biggest obstacle came in trying to secure a construction and faucets. The couple worked with stone of the neighborhood.” dining and kitchen rehabbed the exte- areas. loan so they could begin adapting the interior for their needs. rior of Indianapolis’s Kokomo Opalescent Glass to recreate PHOTOS BY: ABOVE, LEE “It wasn’t long after the housing crash and no one wanted to Second Christian missing panes in the stained glass win- LEWELLEN; RIGHT, STEWART take a chance,” says Joel. “It was a months-long process.” Church to save it dows. “There’s nothing in here that we Living the Dream SEBREE 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 weight of the system. Multiple days of subzero temperatures in Craftsman church 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 chalkboard in the possibly could.” unusual sitting room with window seat. Tucked behind 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 perfect live-work leaving one tall-ceilinged classroom Stable Living 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 home ec space. He and Melissa mar- building and rent out the space they didn’t need. But gradually operates a video 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 NEWS INDIANA AUTOMOTIVE

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 Speed architectural thrill ride dominated by 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- American flag, all topped by the mas- karts at much smaller tracks around Secrets Behind the sive Star of Destiny. The building’s the country. renovation aims to protect this awe- Established in 1958, Whiteland Scaffolding inspiring hidden gem. Raceway Park is believed to be the Last summer, workers from WJE 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 Indiana War Memorial Plaza, a National Historic Landmark be completed later in 2019. their children to the sport, a tradition bought Whiteland They also plan to rebuild the track’s banked turn wall, build Memorial. On March 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 Indianapolis icon. plaster and threatening its spectacular interior. discuss the challenges of repairing the O’Gara raced at Whiteland to be one of the too,” says Fisher. 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; to its 1950s based Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) to identify the BELOW, EVAN HALE event on page 19. he and Fisher heard the track might 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 MEMBER PROFILE

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 / [email protected] / 765-730-6677 Post Office and Customs House after “The way in which we connected A Match Made in Preservation 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 home on Lima, Ohio’s Market Street and credits family trips to include us in their 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 Evansville in the mission. Shepard chaired Indiana BRIEFLY NOTED 1970s, Shepard Landmarks’ board of directors in 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’ Courthouse Preservation Advisory $300,000 / Frank Meeker / 765-702-0717 MacDonell oversaw 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 officer. Want to see Advertising in Indiana Landmarks’ magazine and on for Historic Preservation. We also PHOTOS BY: ABOVE, EVAN recommendations for their preser- our website puts your vintage property in front of HALE; LEFT, LEE LEWELLEN lost of Butlerville, your historic Patsy Powell an ideal audience—people who love historic places. vation. The couple practices what another former Servaas Award property for they preach, living in a mid-1920s Contact [email protected] to learn 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

RSVP & BUY TICKETS for events at indianalandmarks.org/tours-events or by calling (800) 450-4534 or (317) 639-4534 FRENCH State Preservation Tours & Events LICK & WEST Conference BADEN Apr. 9-12, Evansville SPRINGS First Friday TOURS Attend the conference and see revital- Indianapolis ized landmarks in this Ohio River Tours depart from 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, Rescue 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 Party son, $100/student. See pp. 6-7. and jewelry ticket available. Apr. 27, Indianapolis Discount for MAY 3 “Indiana’s 10 Most Endangered” artistic illustrations members on tours arty for a great cause— Logs to Lustrons show idealized depictions of threatened landmarks, juxta- and in shops. saving endangered Reservations Tour & Talk posed with photography of the historic sites in their current, May 3-4, Indiana Dunes places—during A Hot recommended. P perilous conditions 812-936-5870. Indiana Landmarks partners with the Time in the Big Easy. Expect National Park Service to present the NOLA-inspired music and food, January-March Wed.-Sun. fourth annual Logs to Lustrons tour, fea- free wine and Upland Brewery Landmark Look Mar. 2, Indianapolis WBS – 2 p.m. turing thirteen sites and eight interiors craft beer, plus traditional New FLS – Noon Orleans cocktails at cash bars. Tour the restored South Side Turnverein, a formerly endan- highlighting a century of architecture in gered landmark repurposed as headquarters for Point Comfort April-December the Indiana Dunes—from log homes Check out the newly announced WBS – Mon.-Sat., 10 Most Endangered and Underwriters. 3-5 p.m. $10/person; Free for members. 2 & 4 p.m.; Sun., to Victorian-era houses to Modernist applaud this year’s winner of 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. residences. Hands-on activities for kids, FLS – Noon the Cook Cup for Outstanding Behind the Scaffolding Talk who can earn Junior Ranger badges. Restoration before bidding on Mar. 7 Indianapolis Twilight Tours 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Time. Tour- 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, famous guests dessert buffets and dancing of preserving the Indiana War Memorial (see p. 14) during 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. 7, 7:10, & 7:20 p.m. we’re donating a portion of Behind the Scaffolding Tour 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 On this 60-minute guided tour, guests will learn about recent Katrina recovery in historic New Sept. 14. details about the tour sites, 7-9 p.m. at work to preserve the Indiana War Memorial, as well as its history, Orleans. 6-11 p.m. Before April $20/general Portage Lakefront Pavilion. $10/gen- architecture, and contributions of veterans recognized in its halls. public, $18/ 5, tickets are $75/friend, $125/ eral public, $5/member patron; After April 5, tickets are member $85/friend, $150/patron. Talking Track Indianalandmarks. Apr. 4, Indianapolis org/french-lick- Back to the Future BOB ZYROMSKI west-baden 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., 1st and 3rd Saturdays, May-October, 2nd Saturdays, vides an entertaining evening of insights and humorous digres- on our 12th annual Back to the Future May-October and an additional Saturday, May-September, noon sions. Sponsored by our Indiana Automotive affinity group. tour. 1-6 p.m. Tickets in advance October 26, 10 & 10:30 a.m., 11 & Indianalandmarks.org/ Free guided tours depart Advanced ticket required. 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 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 & 1 p.m. $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 19 Nonprofit Org. PAID 1201 Central Avenue U.S. Postage Indianapolis, IN Indianapolis, IN 46202 Permit No. 3464

AND FINALLY

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 By 2013, only 48 remained. added to the National 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.org