here - Noblesville Preservation Alliance

www.noblesvillepreservation.com
Promoting the preservation of historic neighborhoods and resources in order to
enhance the quality of life in Noblesville
Most Endangered Historic Structures and Neighborhoods List
For more information about any of these properties search by address at: www2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/apps/reports/defaulttax2.asp
NPA keeps a Most Endangered List in order to monitor structures throughout Noblesville that are in danger of
demolition, structural damage, a hazard/concern to the public. We develop this list with input from NPA and
community members. The list is intended to raise awareness of historic or significant properties which could
be lost or demolished and to assist with keeping Noblesville’s neighborhoods intact. An ‘endangered structure’
is a significant historic structure or one which contributes to the fabric of a historic area that is in danger of
destruction by neglect, demolition or misuse which may significantly and negatively impact the community.
ENDANGERED PROPERTIES
1. Federal Hill, Area bounded by Westfield Rd., Lakeview Dr., Park St. and Nixon St.
Significance: First platted in the 1870s, sections of it went by the names of West Noblesville and
Garversville. The area got its overall name from the house that originally sat on the site of today’s
Riverview Hospital. The Federal Hill School building still remains and has been repurposed as an office
building.
Threats: The area is zoned commercial. Most of the historic structures have been demolished for
restaurants and medical offices over the years.
Recent Action: One of the last residential homes (Nixon St. area) is currently for sale and advertised as
“commercial.” This puts the home at risk.
2. Vernacular Victorian, 208 N. 10th St.
Significance: Site of the first county courthouse, prominent downtown corner and nice Victorian home
which was owned from c. 1907-1950’s by Charles and Katherine Kraft.
Threats: This former single-family home was converted to a rental property decades ago. From the
exterior, this building is poorly maintained and a notorious downtown eyesore. Recently, a 3rd story
window was removed and replaced with an inappropriate window.
Recent Action: A local artist is currently housing his studio and showroom in one of the units. This is a
cheerful addition to a grey and sad former Victorian beauty.
3. Craycraft Home, 1135 Conner St.
Significance: This home has both historical and architectural significance. It is listed in the Indiana
Historic Sites & Structures Inventory of Hamilton County as a notable example of Colonial Revival
architecture. It is also part of the Conner St. National Register Historic District. The home was built in
1921 by Albert Craycraft, a prominent Noblesville businessman.
Threats: Recently, many of the home's original architectural details have been removed, such as
shutters, front door, porch railings, and windows.
Recent Action: NPA and community members were able to successfully fight the owner's efforts to
rezone the property to commercial, and work has stopped on the home since the city's decision not to
approve his rezone application. The home may become a multi-unit residential rental or the owner
may reapply for his commercial rezone application in spring 2014.
4. 19th Century Farmhouse, 635 Sheridan Road
Significance: This farmhouse is listed in the Indiana Historic Sites & Structures Inventory as a
contributing example of a 19th century Noblesville farmhouse. Built around 1870, it is one of the few
remaining examples in Noblesville of I-House style farmhouses constructed around this time
period. The house also features classic Italianate details.
Threats: This home sits on the edge of town in a formerly residential area which is now largely zoned
commercial. The land around this home is ripe for redevelopment and is currently for sale. After long
years of neglect, the farmhouse's deteriorated state makes it especially susceptible to demolition.
Recent Action: None
5. Wainwright Home, N. Allisonville Rd.
Significance: This gorgeous, stately Gothic Revival home was built circa 1870 by prominent Noblesville
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citizen and Civil War officer, Major William A. Wainwright, and his wife Hannah. Wainwright started
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the Wainwright Bank in Noblesville. The home is perhaps the finest extant example of Gothic Revival
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architecture in Noblesville.
Threats: Sadly, this home has sat vacant and open to the elements for over 20 years. Efforts to
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purchase it have been unsuccessful. In 2006, NPA reported that the property had been saved, and a
new owner planned to restore the home. The home was secured, but unfortunately the restoration
never took place. The years of neglect to the home and property leave this former beauty desperately
threatened.
Recent Action: The porch on the front façade was removed several years ago.
6. Commercial Building, 1008 Logan St.
Significance: Former gas station, Edsel Dealership, Ledger (local newspaper) office and restaurant.
Threats: This neglected and underutilized building sits on one of the most prominent corners in
downtown Noblesville. The siding, soffits and roof are rotting on the exterior. The original pressed tin
ceiling is rotting on the interior. This is a structure with vast potential, but currently is victim to lack of
maintenance, ideal utilization and vision.
Recent Action: Currently, this structure serves as a fireworks store and periodically as a car lot.
7. Bedford stone Mid-Century home, 15290 S. Allisonville Rd.
Significance: This home sits on a large lot and is a nice example of a “Bedford Stone” Mid-Century
home.
Threats: This home and property has been vacant, unmaintained and unsecured for several years.
Oftentimes the front door swings in the breeze, which leaves this home susceptible not only to
vandalism, but also to arson. It seems evident that the current owners are holding this property as an
investment, possibly for a future development. The lovely grounds surrounding the home appear to be
used as storage for construction vehicles.
Recent Action: None
8. Hazel Dell brick schoolhouse, 16810 Hazel Dell Rd.
Significance: This is one of Noblesville’s last remaining brick schoolhouses. It was built in 1892. The
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building is constructed in a vernacular Italianate style, with a 2 room T-plan layout. Besides educating
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students, the school served as the meeting place of the Hazel Dell Community Club.
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Threats: The structure sits in the middle of a hot spot of redevelopment and commercial
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encroachment. This puts one of the few well-maintained brick schoolhouses left in Noblesville at risk.
Recent Action: In NPA’s 1998 Annual Report, this school was listed as a “lost cause.”
Luckily we were wrong; the schoolhouse was restored in the 1990s, and converted to a gift shop. In
NPA’s 2001 Annual Report, the owner received the prestigious “Josiah Durfee” Award for Individual
Merit for her work in saving the schoolhouse. However, the building is currently vacant and is listed
“For Lease.”
9. Farm Bureau Co-Op Office, Walnut and S. 9th St.
Significance: This gable front Greek Revival cottage, built c. 1840, served for decades as the Co-op
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office. The detailed, Queen Anne woodwork on the porch was noteworthy, but unfortunately the
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porch fell to decay and was removed over 10 years ago.
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Threats: In NPA’s 1995 Annual Report, it was noted that the Co-Op was seeking to demolish the
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structure or locate a willing person to move it. Efforts were made to move the property, but no willing
buyer or location was secured. The location of this home adjacent to the Co-op grain elevators and the
years of neglect leave this lovely structure severely threatened.
Recent Action: none
10. Free Classic Victorian, 1154 Maple Ave.
Significance: This brick home was listed in the Indiana Historic Sites & Structures Inventory for its
contributing architecture. It is an example of a turn of the century Free Classic style home.
Threats: This home has sat vacant for at least 10 years. At some point, the home and carriage house
were converted to apartments. There have been five or more units on this small property at a time.
The home and carriage house have sat vacant for a decade or more. The roof is showing wear, a front
window is broken and an upper window is boarded up. The roof of the stone carriage house is caving
in. This home is an unusual style for Noblesville and its neglect is a sad hole in the neighborhood. This
beautiful home needs some help, ASAP.
Recent Action: Periodically the current owner puts out a “for rent” sign with “business” written on it,
even though it is in a residential neighborhood, is zoned as a multi-unit residential and there are no
more than 2 parking spots on site.
11. Elias Gascho Farmhouse, east Pleasant St.
Significance: This property is listed in the Indiana Historic Sites & Structures Inventory as a notable
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example of a late 19th Century farmstead. The Italianate style I-house was built in 1873 by Mr. Rawlins,
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a Pennsylvania carpenter. The farm was owned by Elias Gascho. It originally stood along Hwy. 37, in
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the approximate location of Kahlo Jeep.
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Threats: In 2004, the owners sold the land along Hwy. 37 to Kahlo Jeep, and the farmhouse was moved
to a small parcel further down Pleasant St. The “Sweitzer” barn, smoke house, summer kitchen and
sheds were demolished. Ironically, in the 1995 NPA Annual Report, it was reported that there were
plans to preserve the Sweitzer barn, which unfortunately did not happen. The same family retains
ownership over the parcel of land and the farmhouse. However, the home has been vacant now for
years, with no known progress in restoration. The home's location in the middle of commercial and
road development, combined with its vacant state, leave it at great risk.
Recent Action: NPA has recently written to the owners to express our concern and offer our
assistance.
12. S.K. Gascho Farmstead, Barn: 19654 Promise Rd. and Farmhouse: 19605 Promise Rd.
Significance: These two properties were originally part of one large, early Hamilton County farmstead
built c. 1865. The barn is one of the last extant Schweitzer bank barns and the I-House farmhouse is
complete with an intact summer kitchen. According to the Interim Report at one time the property also
included a drive-thru corncrib and sheds. This farmstead is significant.
Threats: 19654 Promise Rd. is for sale and will most likely be developed for commercial or residential
use. Before or upon sale, the owners may tear the barn down and sell the parts for salvage. 19605
Promise Road’s redevelopment is inevitable. Additionally, the farmhouse is vacant.
Recent Action: The Hamilton County Historical Society was allowed onto the property to document the
structures and to remove a one room schoolhouse limestone placard from an additional more modern
home on the barn property. The owners are aware of the important history of the barn and home and
are open to moving/salvage options, but sale and demolition of all farm structures is imminent if quick
action is not taken.
13. Greek Revival Cottage, 1053 Maple Ave.
Significance: Built in 1900, this quaint cottage acts as a boundary between residential and commercial
areas of downtown Noblesville. It does not appear in the Sanborn maps until c. 1900. It’s older
architectural style gives a clue that the house may have been moved to its current location.
Threats: The house has been vacant for over a year, has visual structural weaknesses, and is currently
for sale for $24,500. The home's location adjacent to a business and City Hall make it susceptible for
business zoning or demolition.
Recent Action: Sale is pending.
14. Italianate Home, 15995 River Ave.
Significance: A nice example of a vernacular Italianate-style farmhouse, with intact outbuildings and an
intact historic barn. The farmhouse was built in 1886, and sits on 2 acres of land.
Threats: This house has been on the market for over a year and is advertised as a potential business
location. The barn and home both are in need of stabilization and repair. The farmhouse's location
adjacent to other businesses and gravel pits make it susceptible for business zoning or demolition.
Recent Action: For sale.
LOST PROPERTIES
1. Preston Tucker Home, 525 Sheridan Rd.
Significance: This home was the former residence of Preston Tucker, a national innovator in the
automobile industry and subject of the Hollywood movie, “Tucker.” This home was an excellent
example of the American Foursquare style. This home which proudly stood on Hwy 38 since the early
20th century in a neighborhood of slow decline from residential to commercial, was demolished in
November. The loss of this home speaks volumes about the major effect that improper commercial
zoning of residential structures can have in a neighborhood and our city as a whole. It also highlights
the need for community involvement to help NPA board and membership keep a sharp eye out for
these kinds of extreme plans in our neighborhoods.
Recent Action: The large property and home lot will be redeveloped into an optometry office and
parking lot. At the very last moment NPA discovered the imminent demolition of the home. We made
efforts to move the home or at least salvage the beautiful interior materials. We were unsuccessful.
2. Craftsman Cobblestone Home, 1053 N. 10th St.
Significance: This quaint cottage home was of unusual style and building materials for Noblesville.
Recent Action: The home caught fire and was left open to the elements following the fire. The owner
razed the home. The property sits as a hole in the neighborhood.
3. Sohl Farm, Highway 38 east of Noblesville
Significance: This early I-House Greek Revival farmhouse, built c. 1845, was one of the last remaining
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Pre-Civil war farmsteads in Noblesville. The home was large and constructed from high-quality, handON
hewn materials. It was of museum-quality.
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Recent Action: After years of neglect and a slow demise, the house was razed, or perhaps just fell
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down. Many years earlier, in 1992, a historic barn burned down. At one time there were original
outbuildings, a pump house, sheds and a family cemetery on the grounds. It is unknown if anything
survives. The location of this property near I-69 and adjacent to newer housing developments and
gravel pit puts this idyllic farmland at risk for development.
4. Couden's Grocery, 13th & Hannibal St.
Significance: One of the last remaining neighborhood commercial buildings left around Old Town. The
store was run for years by the Couden family.
Recent Action: This structure was used as a storage facility. After years of neglect, poor-quality repairs
and vandalism, this commercial structure fell victim to a rash of Old Town arsons. After sitting as a
partially burned out shell for years, the building was razed. The property is rumored to be redeveloped
by Habitat for Humanity.
5. Vernacular Victorian home,1314 Hannibal St.
Significance: This 2-story Victorian home was typical of the style of Vernacular Victorian homes
common in Noblesville. Before it underwent poor quality renovations (and a fire) the façade was
mostly original, with details intact, such as porch posts, brackets and decorative fish scaling.
Recent Action: This home was a notoriously badly maintained rental for decades, which stood
neglected in a neighborhood which has struggled to maintain safety and property values. The home
was the victim of a minor arson and stood for years unsecured and open to the elements. It stood for
several more years with boarded up windows. The home was recently razed and is rumored to be part
of the Habitat for Humanity redevelopment plan at 13th and Hannibal streets.
6. Crownland Cemetery Iron Fence, N. 16th St. & Monument St.
Significance: Historic Crownland Cemetery is an integral part of the Monument St. neighborhood. The
wrought iron fence surrounding the cemetery was part of the cemetery's historic character.
Recent Action: Cemetery officials sold the fence on eBay and replaced it with newer fencing material,
rather than repairing the original fence. The cemetery board replaced the fence because the old fence
was in need of costly repair. NPA sought to save the fence, but it was too late.
SAVED PROPERTIES
1. Vernacular Stick Style home, 1542 Maple Ave
Owner: Bill Ferraro
Significance: This house is a nice example of stick style architecture, which is relatively uncommon
around Noblesville.
Recent Action: This home was essentially abandoned, left vacant and neglected for several years. It
was a notorious eyesore and cause of stress to neighbors in a neighborhood fighting arson, graffiti and
petty crimes. The new owner has begun exterior restoration and the improvements are welcome with
open arms by the neighbors.
2. 19th Century commercial building, 388 S. 8th St.
Owner: HAND
Significance: This typical 19th century commercial building along one of Noblesville’s original business
district streets has a lovely, well-preserved 2nd story façade.
Recent Action: This structure sat vacant with missing windows for years, open to the elements. While
this is still the case and immediate action is necessary, the building has been purchased with hopes of
work beginning soon. The structure will be repurposed as “Hand” apartments. Progress has been slow,
but the work is certain to be of a good quality. While the property will not serve a commercial purpose
anymore, the beautiful façade will be preserved.
DISAPPEARING HISTORIC DETAILS AROUND NOBLESVILLE
1. Brick sidewalks
Significance: Brick sidewalks are a part of Noblesville's history. They are charming reminders of the
city's past, and contribute to the historical landscape of Old Town neighborhoods.
Recent Actions: Each year, the City of Noblesville removes more and more brick sidewalks as part of
their overall sidewalk maintenance plan. Sometimes, homeowners request replacement of the brick
sidewalks in front of their home with concrete. Losses this year included sections of Wayne and
Clinton Streets, along with the area around 11th & Hannibal.
What You Can Do: If you live in a historic home and have a brick sidewalk in front of your home, be on
the lookout for signs that it might be slated for removal. The city will likely send a letter in advance of
beginning any work. If you would like to save the brick in front of your home, the city will work with
you to help save it, rather than replacing with concrete. You may be asked to contribute to the cost of
saving the brick. Contact NPA if you need assistance advocating for the preservation of your brick
sidewalks.
Recent Actions: NPA has been meeting with the City of Noblesville Engineering Department to offer
our assistance in coordinating with homeowners for the repair of brick sidewalks when sidewalks are
slated for replacement.
2. Original wood doors & windows
Significance: Original wood doors and windows are part of a home's historic character. They are
oftentimes defining elements of a home's architectural design, and their distinctive appearances are
main focal points of a home's exterior façade.
Recent Actions: Many homeowners in Old Town Noblesville are choosing to replace original wood
doors and windows with modern pre-fabricated alternatives, such as vinyl windows and pressed wood
doors that lack the beauty and architectural integrity of the originals. Sometimes, this is done because
homeowners are unaware that these doors and windows can be repaired, and with a few easy steps
energy efficiency can be greatly improved.
What You Can Do: Noblesville Preservation Alliance is committed to helping homeowners save their
original doors and windows. Tutorials for restoration are available at
www.noblesvillepreservation.com/Restoration.php.
3. Barns & Carriage Houses
Significance: Barns and carriage houses are significant parts of the historical landscape of a property.
Their architecture often mirrors that of the main house, oftentimes including beautiful decorative trim
and finishes. Like any historic structure, barns & carriage houses require maintenance to retain
structural integrity.
Recent Actions: There are fine barns and carriage houses still to be found in Noblesville, but their
number shrinks every year. Some aren’t maintained properly and others are removed by the property
owner in favor of more modern architectural design and amenities. Our preference in circumstances
like this is to help the property owners find creative solutions to meet their needs—up to and including
relocating structures. Two disappointing losses this year were the replacement of the carriage house at
the Harrell House on N. 10th St. and the demolition of the 1889 Coverdale Farm barn at Cumberland
Road & Riverwood Avenue.
What You Can Do: Noblesville Preservation Alliance encourages homeowners to thoroughly explore
options before removing functional barns and carriage houses from their property. Homeowners
seeking to restore their historic carriage houses and/or barns could apply for a NPA Homeowner
Façade Grant.