arriages to The Company, founded by Charles Eckhart and his sons

C ords Frank and Morris, manufactured the first Auburn Automobile. In 1903, the C aptly named Auburn was the first manufactured in the city on a produc- A Walk C tion basis. (Continued on next panel) Auburn is the county seat of DeKalb County Indiana. The town was platted in

1836 by Wesley Park. The original plat of 308 lots consisted of two parallel In 1906 the W. H. McIntyre Company began production of an inexpen- Through History streets, Main and Jackson, with several intersecting streets, which included a sive, reliable, high-wheeled car. No more than a buggy with a tiller and public square. Park built his log cabin along Cedar Creek but he later built a sec- an engine, this vehicle was extremely popular. By 1912, McIntyre pro- ond home, on South Main Street, which is included on this tour. duced a line of trucks as well as automobiles and the Imp, a cyclecar. Before it’s closing in 1915, W. H. McIntyre Co. had five large plants in Auburn was designated as the county seat in 1837. By 1843, the first court- Auburn, producing vehicles ranging from horse drawn carriages to lux- house was completed on land donated by Park. Between 1840 and 1860, the urious automobiles. county grew to 13,880 citizens. This rapid growth necessitated a larger, more impressive courthouse. In 1864, the second DeKalb County Courthouse was However, the Auburn Automobile Company was by far the strongest of built on the town square. It was a brick structure with a tall bell tower that the city’s companies, producing quality automobiles from 1903 until became a city landmark for over 40 years. 1937 when the “Auburn Auto” era ended.

As the county grew, so did Auburn. By 1875, the completion of three major rail The family-owned Auburn Automobile lines guaranteed Auburn’s place in the history of transportation. As in other Company ended when Charles Eckhart died towns acrossoss America during this period, without in 1915. By 1919, a group of investors from the existence of railroads, the era of the Auburnuburn bought Frank and Morris Eckhart’s Automobile Company would never have existed.xisted. controlling interest in the Auburn Automobile During this time, Charles Eckhart settled in Company. The “Chicago Gang” as they came , Charles Eckhart settled in Auburn. Eckhart began building carriages in his to be called, planned to revitalize the compa- uburn. Eckhart began building carriages in his allel home, a small beginning for a man who meant so ny. Their vision however, never really mate- or a man who meant so , which included a much to the city. By 1890, carriage manufacturing rialized. By 1924 the “Chicago Gang” was acturing eek but he later built a sec- was the largest business in Auburn. With the exis- looking for buyers. Again, the future of the xis- tence of three companies: The Zimmerman Mfg. E. L. company looked bleak – until E. L. Cord came g. Co. established in 1886, W. H. Kiblinger Co. estab- Charles Eckhart along with his ideas. ab- st court- lished in 1887 and the Eckhart Carriage Co. established in 1888, the town E. L. Cord worked out an agreement with the “Chicago Gang”. If he een 1840 and 1860, the became well known for the manufacture of carriages and wagons. e turned the company around and paid off the original investment, the e as By 1896, the largest of these manufacturers was The Eckhart Carriage Co. company would be his. Cord wasted no time; he began production in er that Charles Eckhart, along with his sons Frank and Morris, employed over 100 the fall of 1924 on a line of 8-cylinder powered sold at average-man men and produced between 4,000 and 5,000 carriages annually. The Auburn prices. By 1926, Cord became president of the Auburn Automobile Automobile Company was the direct descendant of the Eckhart Carriage Company. By 1930, he purchased or controlled 64 companies. His ail Company. These three large carriage companies, along with a half dozen small- genius and flare for style produced the elegant “cars of the stars” in the ation. As in other er ones, were located near the city’s three rail lines. years just before the . In 1928, the sleek Auburn Boat View Prominent Homes Tailed Speedster was introduced and the first front wheeled drive car Prosperity extended to other areas of Auburn also. in the United States, the Cord L-29, was introduced in 1929. From the Golden Age Between 1870 and 1900, other industries flourished with the discovery of natural gas in 1887 and the After the death of his young wife in 1930, Cord returned to Chicago. He of Transportation manufacture of electricity in 1889 by the Auburn left the day-to-day operations of the Auburn Automobile Company to a Mining Company. The establishment of the series of presidents. By 1934, only the administration, service and Central Union Telephone Company and The experimental departments remained in Auburn. Home Telephone Company by 1896, provided In 1937, 102 years after Wesley Park built his cabin on Cedar Creek, 65 Auburn with all the facilities and services that one years after Charles Eckhart started making carriages in his living room would expect to find in a thriving community. and 35 years after the first automobile rolled down the streets of W. H. McIntyre W. H. McIntyre The next 30 years would prove to be the most signif- Auburn, the Auburn Automobile Company closed forever. With it the Auburn, Indiana “golden age of transportation” ended in the city. The Hub of Transportation Heritage! icant period of growth for the city. Four major auto companies evolved in the early 1900’s: The Model Gas Engine Company, the Zimmerman Start your tour at the DeKalb County Courthouse. Walk North on Main Manufacturing Company, and most significantly The Auburn Automobile Street on the East sidewalk. Company and W. H. Kiblinger (later W. H. McIntyre) Co.

1. DeKalb County Courthouse (Beaux Arts Classicism) If you have interest in learning more about Auburn or the names listed c. 1911. The 18,000 square foot courthouse, one of here, stop by the Wm. H. Willennar Genealogy Center or the Eckhart Indiana’s finest, includes imported marble staircase and Public Library. corridor wainscoting and magnificent Florentine sky- lights among its many handsome features. Outside, the Research information used: structure is faced with Indiana limestone. Total con- struction costs were less than $325,000. This is DeKalb Much of Auburn’s housing dates from the first County’s third courthouse at this location. 30 years of the 20th century and reflects the 1982 AUBURN ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY prosperity of the “golden age” of transportation Bryant Charles Pedigo, 1982 2. N. Main Street YMCA (20th Century Eclectic) c. 1914. The appearance of the YMCA is quiet, dig- heritage. Take a walk back in time where one can AUBURN THE CLASSIC CITY nified and home-like. Its colonial features are imagine an early automobile such as an Imp, an John Martin Smith, 2002 AUBURN IS A DANCING LADY enhanced by the red oriental brick with white Auburn or a L-29 Cord parked outside the homes stone trim and the house-like Dutch Gambrel roof. of Auburn’s pioneers and visionaries. Rachel S. Roberts, 1999 Charles Eckhart and his son, Frank, donated over HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA 1837-1987 $55,000 to cover all expenses. The building was START YOUR TOUR AT THE DEKALB COUNTY John Martin Smith, Auburn, Indiana, 1990 expanded in 1981. DEKALB COUNTY 1837-1987 FAMILY HISTORIES COURTHOUSE. WALK NORTH ON MAIN STREET 3. 404 N. Main St. (Bungalow-English Tudor Detail) ON THE EAST SIDEWALK. Troas May Wise - Editor HISTORY OF NORTHEAST INDIANA c. 1910-1920. DeKalb County Recorder for 8 years in Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago-NY, 1920 the 1870’s, Michael Boland once resided in this home. Mr. Boland was also a telegraph operator for HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA the Lakeshore and Michigan Southern Railroad and B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., , 1914 a Director of the First National Bank in Auburn. HISTORY OF DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885 MOORE’S STANDARD DIRECTORY 1908-1909 4. 704 N. Main St. (Vernacular Colonial Revival) c. 1905. T. A. Carter, Auburn Postmaster in 1902 LUEDDERS HISTORICAL & PICTORAL CITY DIRECTORY lived in this home. Harry McIntyre also lived here OF AUBURN, INDIANA from 1925-1929. 1925-1940 CURRENT OWNERS HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Criteria Used In Selection of Properties: 5. 718 N. Main St. (Queen/Eastlake) c. 1880-1890. • The property was listed in the Auburn Architectural Survey of 1982 Once owned by David S. Ober, owner of Ober & and was listed as having primary significance at that time. Primary Beuquot. Prominent lumber manufacturers, they Significance defined as “buildings with the greatest architectural supplied materials to all the existing railroad com- and/or historic significance.” panies. Mr. Ober served in the Union Army during • Property was built before 1930. the Civil War. He settled in Auburn in 1873.

Special Thanks to: 6. 730 N. Main St. This Italian brick home was The Property Owners built in 1903 by Charles Eckhart, founder of The Wm. H. Willennar Genealogy Center Eckhart Buggy Works, later Auburn Automobile The Eckhart Public Library Co., manufacturer of the Auburn and Cord The DeKalb County Auditors Office Roadsters. The house was designed by well known The Auburn Cord Automobile Museum Patton & Miller Architects and restored in 1998 by House Photos by Robert Sbarge the Klink family who still reside here. It is featured Cover Photo © Dottie Gheen 1988 Used with permission in the book “99 Historic Homes of Indiana”. 7. 738 N. Main St. (Queen Anne/Colonial Revival) The DeKalb County Visitors Bureau made every effort to correctly identi- c. 1880-1890. Once the home of Frank Eckhart, fy information on these properties. Names listed with the homes do not who, with his brother and father, established the always indicate the first homeowners of these properties. Our intent was Auburn Automobile Company. Wm. H. Willennar to include information that would give the reader a feel for the past resi- lived in this home from 1925 until his death at 85 dents of Auburn. in 1961. Willennar founded the Double Fabric Tire Co. that later became the Auburn Rubber Co. Produced by The DeKalb County Visitors Bureau 500 S. Grandstaff Dr., Ste C 8. 740 N. Main St. (Free Classic/Queen Anne) c. 1894. A Auburn, IN 46706 blend of Classical and Queen Anne architecture was selected by W. H. Schaab for this home. W. H. and his 260-927-1499 Fax: 260-927-1599 brother Charles founded Schaab and Brother Co. The Email: [email protected] department store was a landmark from 1877 to 1975 in Website: www.dekalbcvb.org downtown Auburn. Descendants of the Schaab family © DeKalb County Visitors Bureau 2016 still live in the home. In the 1920’s the porch was changed to the present columns, however, the slate roof is original. PLEASE RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF THE HOMEOWNERS BY VIEWING ALL LISTED HOMES FROM THE SIDEWALK.

9. 742 N. Main St. (Victorian Eclectic-Colonial Turn South on Midway Drive. Midway Drive is so named 34. 607 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1890- Revival) c. 1880-1890. Of particular note are the dec- because the original DeKalb County Fairground Midway 1905 Geo. W. Kuhlman, brother of Col. Kuhlman orative gables which highlight the former home of was located along this stretch of land. The homes in this resided here. He was born in Auburn in 1876. In Flay Sears, an early Auburn Automobile Company 1902 he opened a men’s clothing store. By 1914 his executive. Albert C. Robbins built this home when area were built primarily between 1910 and 1930 with the business was considered one of the largest and he married Hortence Culbertson in 1890. Albert majority being built during the 1920’s. These properties most exclusive clothing stores in N.E. Indiana. was the Vice President of Farmers Bank. represent the prosperity of Auburn during that era.

21. 1015 Midway Dr. (Expanded Bungalow) c. 35. 507 N. Main St. (Queen Anne Victorian) c. Why the “S” curve at Main and North Street? The area to 1910-1930. Reo Martin, owner of Martin’s 1891 The Colonial Revival porch was added around the West and the North was originally the DeKalb County Automotive Service at the corner of 4th and Main 1910. Hugh R. Culbertson built this attractive home. Fairgrounds. The road curved around the fairgrounds and Streets (across from the YMCA) lived in this home. Mr. Culbertson became prominent in the hardware was never straightened, even after the grounds were aban- Mr. Martin most likely moved here after purchasing business in the late 1800’s. In 1910 he was elected doned and the area became residential. the former Thatcher’s Automotive Service in the Mayor of Auburn. mid 30’s.

10. 802 N. Main St. (Expanded Bungalow-Prairie 22. 1007 Midway Dr. (English Tudor Cottage 36. 503 N. Main St. (English Tudor Revival) c. School Influence) c. 1905-1915. Edgar Atkinson, a Revival) c. 1920’s. Built by Mrs. Marie Rieke, widow 1915-1920. The traditional Tudor styling of this distinguished lawyer in partnership with attorney of Theodore Rieke, the founder of Rieke home features bay windows, a fireplace nook, stair Dan Link, lived in this home. Before forming his Corporation. The home is faithful to the Tudor tra- halls and leaded glass windows. Dr. Max Wills once partnership with Mr. Link in 1910, Mr. Atkinson dition, with a step roof and gables, decorative tim- lived in this home as did the owners of the Court served as deputy clerk for the DeKalb Circuit Court bering, massive front chimney, and arched door- and Smart Theatres, Hobe & Bea Hart. and he was county attorney when the present way with stone surround. courthouse was constructed.

11. 810 N. Main St. (Vernacular Queen Anne) 23. 1005 Midway Dr. (English Tudor Cottage Continue South to 7th Street; at 7th Street turn West and go c.1870-1890. Originally owned by attorney Daniel Influence) c.1920’s. O. K. McKittrick and his wife one block to Jackson Street. Turn South on Jackson. To the left Link. Mr. Link went on to become a DeKalb County Ruth lived here shortly after their marriage. Mr. and across 8th Street was the heart of the McIntyre interests. Circuit Judge and continued to practice law until McKittrick was the Purchasing Agent for Messenger Here stood two triple-storied buildings connected at the second his death in 1953 at the age of 80. Herbert Snow, a Corp. His wife Ruth was the daughter of Louis G. chief engineer for the Auburn Automobile Whitten, President and Treasurer of the Auburn Post story by over and under bridges. As you continue South on Company, lived here from 1929 to 1931. Card Mfg. Co., which later became Messenger Corp. Jackson Street, the most notable property you will encounter The McKittrick’s later moved to Indianapolis. is The Eckhart Public Library building and park, built in 1911.

12. 815 N. Main St. (Bungalow-English Tudor influ- 24. 1004 Midway Dr. (French Chateau Revival) c. 37. 406 S. Jackson St. (Queen Anne/Stick Style) C. ence) c. 1910-1930. Originally built by Charles 1920’s. Verne Buchanan, publisher of the Auburn- 1880-1890 Louis G. Whitten, President and Kingsbury, secretary at The Auburn Foundry. Local area newspapers, The Dispatch, The Courier and Treasurer of the Auburn Post Card Mfg. Co. lived in contractor Roland Muhn lived in this home in the The Evening Star between 1913-1968 built this this home. His company was the forerunner of the late 1930’s, and added the stucco to the facade. beautiful home. Mr. Buchanan was born in Auburn Messenger Corporation, which still exists in in 1892 and took over his father’s printing business Auburn. at an early age.

13. 817 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival Expanded 25. 914 Midway Dr. (English Tudor Cottage 38. 119 W. 11th St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1920’s Bungalow) c. 1903-1904. This was an early residence of Revival) c. 1915-1930. John P. Kandel and Margaret This home was built by G. W. Goodall, owner of Frank Eckhart when he was Secretary/Treasurer of Husselman Kandel most likely built this home. Goodall Lumber Co. The property still has the Eckhart Carriage Co. and V.P. of the Auburn Miriam and Doriah Tracey, a purchasing agent for original facade, with original mahogany woodwork, Automobile Co. Other residents of this home with links the Auburn Automobile Company, also lived here. an open staircase and glass-beveled doors between to the Auburn Automobile Co. were E. A. Johnson who the rooms. Current owners purchased the home worked in the Service Department in 1925 and Albert from the Goodall family. H. McInnes who was an employee in 1931.

14. 902 N. Main St. (Vernacular Italianate) c. 1880- 26. 907 Midway Dr. (Norman French) c. 1930. Built by 39. 507 S. Jackson St. (19th Century Eclectic- 1910. Nine years after they married in 1876, Daniel Russell B. Little, plant superintendent of the Auburn Italianate) c. 1870-1880’s This home was once and Susannah Altenberg moved from their farm Automobile Company. This home is featured in company owned by W. C. and Minnie McNabb. Mr. McNabb and built this home. Altenberg was a DeKalb ads from the ‘30’s. The design was worked by Mr. Little and was an Auburn City Councilman in 1908 and a County pioneer arriving in 1838 and in 1880 was a local contractor Noah Yoder. The casement windows con- prominent city businessman. Justice of the Peace. tain automobile window glass. It is not uncommon to see the current owner’s 1933 Auburn parked in the driveway as they were back in Mr. Little’s era.

15. 1017 N. Main St. (Eclectic-Italianate influence) 40. 603 S. Jackson St. (Prairie School) c. 1911. c. 1890-1905. This was the home of Dr. Dorsey M. Continue South on Midway Drive to North Street. Turn Eckhart Public Library and Park. Auburn philanthro- Hines. Dr. Hines and his brother A. V. Hines prac- East on North Street and South on Main Street. Be cau- pist Charles Eckhart donated over $40,000 for this ticed medicine in Auburn for many years. Dr. tious at this curved intersection as the traffic turning West land and building. Most notable among the library’s Dorsey Hines served in the 1st World War and per- from Main Street does not stop. As you walk South on features are the stained glass windows, the salt formed the physicals of the Auburn recruits during glazed brick and the tile roof. The library underwent World War II. Dr. Hines office was at 10th and Main Street, stay on the West sidewalk. an extensive expansion and renovation in 1996. The Main Streets. fountain and park were restored the following year.

16. 1023 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1900- 27. 108 North St. (Dutch Colonial Revival) c. 1900- Take time to walk around the inside of this remarkable building. 1910. When R. H. Faulkner was vice-president of 1915 Albert Beidler, an Auburn merchant with a Mr. Eckhart is reputed to have approached Andrew Carnegie for The Auburn Automotive Company he lived in this general store on 7th St., built this home. His son library funds. Mr. Carnegie offered $12,500. Mr. Eckhart did home. He acquired the property in 1925 and most Herbert became an architect and drew the blue- likely lived here until 1938. prints. Albert and his wife resided in the home not feel that this would build Auburn the Library he had envi- until his death at 80. The house was kept in the sioned and thus underwrote the cost himself. Be sure to stroll Beidler family until 1971, approximately 20 years through the garden, and perhaps take a rest and enjoy the foun- after Albert’s death. tain, which has graced this block for nearly a century.

28. 747 N. Main St. (Queen Anne/Free Classic) 41. 506 S. Jackson St. (Italianate) c. 1860-1870. Stay along the walk on the East side of Main Street. You c. 1880-1890. Dr. Charles S. Stewart, an Ophthalmologist, Beautiful detailing on this house includes the scroll- lived in this home. He first practiced in Garrett, IN work over the windows, brackets under the eaves will pass by the Mott Cemetery. Judge Egbert Benson from 1893 to 1904 when he moved to Auburn. Dr. and carpentry on the porch. In 1908, J. Frank Mott was the first lawyer to settle in Auburn. He arrived Stewart died in 1949 while crossing the street in McDowell, Auburn City Engineer, lived in this in 1843 and died in 1865. Auburn, at the age of 92. He practiced ophthalmol- home. ogy until the day of his death.

17. 1403 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1900- 29. 743 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c.1926. This 1910 Originally the country estate of James I. home was built by Charles A. Schaab. His brother Farley. Mr. Farley was president of the Auburn W. H. Schaab built the home across the street (740 Turn East on Twelfth Street, proceed one block and turn Automobile Company and later served two terms N. Main St.) The brothers founded Schaab & North on Main Street, continue North on Main Street as a U.S. Congressman 1933-1939. He died in 1948 Brother Co. in 1877. Mr. Schaab still lived in this along the West sidewalk. in Pennsylvania, and is buried in Auburn’s home at his death in 1945 when he was 84 years Woodlawn Cemetery. old.

18. 1600 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1927 E. L. 30. 735 N. Main St. (Vernacular-English Tudor) 42. 407 S. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1921. The Cord, the man most responsible for making Auburn c. 1870-1890. Former home of Roy Faulkner. Masonic Temple building originally sat on this site. It synonymous with stylish automobiles, built this home Faulkner was employed by Auburn Automobile was moved by Dr. Francis M. Hines so he could build this in 1927. His flair for style is reflected in the selection of Company from 1922-1932 and 1934-1937 as Sales home. The iron fence is from the original Temple build- colonial architecture, which at that time was extremely Manager, General Manager, Vice President and ing and was left in place. The home was occupied by Dr. popular. From the growth of the Auburn Automobile finally President. In 1956 Faulkner was involved Hines until 1928 when his son Dr. Archie (Patch) V. Company, Cord built an automobile , which with bringing the first Auburn Cord Duesenberg Hines purchased it. His widow, Rosemary lived in the eventually became the Cord Corporation. Reunion to town. house until 1986, when it was sold to the current owners.

31. 717 N. Main St. (English Tudor Revival) c. 1910- 43. 311 S. Main St. (Vernacular Western Turn back South at this point, but stay on the East side of 1920. This beautiful home captures perfectly the Reserve/Italianate) c. 1860-1880. Once the residence of garden setting, which was popularized in the early Wesley Park. Wesley Park settled Auburn in 1836 and the road. You will again pass by James Farley’s former 1900’s. Originally built by Burr O. and Hazel Fink, built a log cabin along Cedar Creek. He platted the home. Continue South to Van Buren Street. Turn West on founder of the Auburn Foundry. The home stayed town and later built this home in 1840. In the 1900’s Van Buren. (Please Use Caution crossing this busy street). in the Fink family until 1987. This home can be it also served as the office and residence of Dr. L. N. seen in Auburn Automobile Company advertising Geisinger, who practiced medicine for over 45 years. from the 1920’s. A lifelong Auburn resident, he died at the age of 94.

19. 1145 Van Buren St. (English Tudor Cottage 32. 711 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival) c. 1861-1899 44. 301 S. Main St. (20th Century Eclectic) c. 1922. The historic Revival) c. 1920-1935 Russell Kuhlman and his wife Addition and remodeling c. 1920’s. Harry Auburn Hotel dates to the 1870’s at this location. In 1915, rooms Wuanita lived here for over nine years. Mr. McIntyre, son of the manufacturer of the Imp and rented for $2.50 a night. During the golden age of the Auburn Kuhlman was a prominent Auburn Realtor during McIntyre automobiles lived in this home. A lifelong Automobile Co. the hotel housed a restaurant with two dining the thirties and forties. resident, he died in 1971 at the age of 81. McIntyre rooms and many heads of industry stayed in the luxurious rooms. established the Gladiator Mfg. Co., which made Though the building is no longer used as a hotel, during the ACD radiator caps and temperature gauges for automo- Club annual Labor Day weekend reunion, Auburns, Cords and biles. are again parked along Main and 9th Streets.

20. 1121 Van Buren St. (English Tudor Cottage 33. 705 N. Main St. (Colonial Revival detail) c. 1890- You are now back in the Historical Downtown District. We Revival) c. 1925-1935 Mearl and Irene Bisel built this 1910. This home, was once occupied by Gordon home after they married. Irene worked for the Buehrig, designer of the 1935-36 Auburn Speedsters, hope you enjoyed your tour of some of Auburn’s prominent Auburn Automobile Company until she married and the 810-812 Cords, and many Duesenbergs. T. C. homes, and that, for a short time, you were transported back Mearl worked for the Rieke Corporation. Irene is Ford, a Justice of the Peace, owned the property reputed to be the first person to suggest the preserva- from 1905 until his death in 1925. His daughter to an era of luxury and elegance when Auburn, Indiana was tion of the Auburn Automobile Company buildings rented the home until 1947 and many prominent synonymous with beautiful automobiles, innovation and style. and she and her husband were the first contributors. families resided here during that time.