High Energy - ON THE ROAD AGAIN Landmarks shaped by the automobile - Indiana Landmarks
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JULY/AUGUST 2021
ON THE
ROAD AGAIN
Landmarks shaped by
the automobile
EXTRAORDINARY
LEADERSHIP
Honoring Gayle Cook’s
preservation legacy
High
Energy
Factory’s transformation to learning
center wins restoration prize
F R OM THE PRES ID ENT STARTERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vision Realized
OFFICERS Olon F. Dotson
Muncie
Hon. Randall T. Shepard
Honorary Chair Melissa Glaze
Roanoke
Sara Edgerton
Chair Tracy Haddad
IN MAY, I HAD THE HONOR of presenting the 2021 Williamson Parker Beauchamp
Columbus
David A. Haist
Prize for outstanding leadership in historic preservation to Gayle Past Chair
Wabash
Doris Anne Sadler
Cook. As leaders in historic preservation, Gayle and her family are, Vice Chair Emily J. Harrison
Attica
simply, extraordinary. The award committee did not have a difficult Marsh Davis
task. We would typically present the prize at Indiana Landmarks’
President
Hilary Barnes
Sarah L. Lechleiter
Indianapolis Back in Service
Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Shelby Moravec
annual meeting in September. But this year, again, our annual meeting LaPorte
Thomas H. Engle INSPIRED BY POPULAR
will be virtual—hopefully for the last time—as we anticipate the wind- Assistant Secretary Ray Ontko
Richmond architectural styles of the day
Brett D. McKamey
down of the COVID era. Treasurer Martin E. Rahe and designed to encourage
I presented the Judy A. O’Bannon
Cincinnati, OH
motorists to take a second look,
Secretary Emerita James W. Renne
Williamson Prize to Newburgh historic filling stations have
Gayle in Bloomington, DIRECTORS
Walk Like
David A. Resnick, CPA
Carmel proven attractive and adapt-
Sarah Evans Barker
at the Monroe County George A. Rogge able for reuse as offices, shops,
an Egyptian
Morgantown
Gary
History Center, an The Rt. Rev. Jennifer and restaurants. In 1956, service
J
Baskerville-Burrows Sallie W. Rowland
organization she sup- Indianapolis Zionsville station operator Harlan Hughes
Bruce W. Buchanan Peter J. Sacopulos built a striking Mid-Century ust steps from Indianapolis’s
ports with great energy Indianapolis Terre Haute
Modern station in Fortville Soldiers and Sailors
and personal commit- Candace Chapman Robert L. Santa
Monument, golden salukis
Evansville Bloomington designed by his daughter Jean
ment. Upon receiving Glen Kwok (executive director of IVCI), Judith Ingolfsson, Edward D. Clere Charlitta Winston prance, lotus flowers bloom, and
Hinnefeld. Still eye-catching
the prize, she recalled Vladimir Stoupel, and Philippe Etienne (French New Albany Indianapolis
pharaohs peer down at passersby
Mike Corbett John D. Zeglis 60 years later, the station drew
numerous preservation ambassador to the United States), Marsh Davis Noblesville Culver from the Art Deco-style Circle
brothers Fritz and Karl Fentz
projects she supported, Ellen Swisher Crabb Beau F. Zoeller
to repurpose it as Denver’s Tower, one of the city’s most
Indianapolis Henryville
including Indiana Landmarks Center. She mentioned how pleased she Cheri Dick Garage Pizza & Brews, an artisan striking landmarks. The orna-
was to see it functioning as we had envisioned from the outset—not Zionsville
pizza place with auto-themed ments embody the Egyptomania
only the headquarters for our organization but as a venue for artistic décor honoring the property’s that swept the nation following
and cultural events. OFFICES & HISTORIC SITES past. Read Indiana Automotive discovery of King Tutankhamun’s
PHOTO BY SHAWN MILLER
After returning from Bloomington later that day, Gayle’s obser- Headquarters Southeast Field Office Board Member Shawn Miller’s tomb in 1922. The expedition cap-
vation resonated with clarity as I attended a splendid program at Indiana Landmarks Center Aurora
account of the station’s his- tured the imagination of artists
1201 Central Avenue (812) 926-0983
Indiana Landmarks Center, presented by the International Violin Indianapolis, IN 46202 Southwest Field Office tory and new use on our web- and architects, who incorporated
info@indianalandmarks.org Evansville site, indianalandmarks.org/ Egyptian details in everything
Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI). The stunning performance by the (317) 639-4534 (812) 423-2988
(800) 450-4534 fortville-station-back-in-service. from advertising to monuments.
Ingolfsson-Stoupel Duo showcased the visual beauty and acoustical Northwest Field Office
Western Regional Office
Terre Haute Architects Rubush and Hunter
excellence of Indiana Landmarks Center’s Grand Hall, and it affirmed Gary (812) 232-4534
(219) 947-2657 employed Egyptian motifs at the
the joy we experience in partnering with organizations in presenting Central Regional Office
Huddleston Farmhouse
Cambridge City 1930 Circle Tower in metalwork
outstanding programs. Indianapolis
(317) 639-4534
(765) 478-3172
over the building’s entrance,
Morris-Butler House
I sincerely hope you will join us, soon and in person, as we resume a Eastern Regional Office Indianapolis grillwork in the lobby, and on the
full array of programming at Indiana Landmarks Center in the upcom- Cambridge City
(765) 478-3172
(317) 639-4534
building’s ziggurat-esque roofline,
Veraestau
ing months.
PHOTOS BY PAIGE WASSEL & MICHAEL WILTROUT
Northern Regional Office Aurora where sculptor Joseph Willenborg
South Bend (812) 926-0983
(574) 232-4534 helped design hieroglyphic-like
French Lick and West
Northeast Field Office Baden Springs tours figures. Discover more fascinat-
Wabash (866) 571-8687 (toll free)
(800) 450-4534 (812) 936-5870
ing stories of the Circle’s his-
Marsh Davis, President Southern Regional Office tory and preservation on Indiana
New Albany
(812) 284-4534 cars could park to take Landmarks’ Monument Circle
The transformation of Indianapolis’s P.R. Mallory and Company com- in a film at Wabash’s tours, held select Saturdays, May
On the plex from a derelict eyesore to an innovative setting for two charter ©2021, Indiana Landmarks; ISSN#: 0737-8602 13-24 Drive In, opened through October, departing at
Cover schools merits Indiana Landmarks’ 2021 Cook Cup for Outstanding Indiana Landmarks publishes Indiana Preservation bimonthly
in 1951 and still-serving 10 a.m. See details on p. 19.
Restoration. P HOTO © SCHMIDT ASSOCIATE S for members. To join and learn other membership benefits,
visit indianalandmarks.org or contact memberships@ today. Read more on p. 12.
indianalandmarks.org, 317-639-4534 or 800-450-4534. To
© HONEYWELL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
offer suggestions for Indiana Preservation, contact editor@
indianalandmarks.org.
2 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 3
AWA RD W INNERS
Bill and me,” recalls Gayle. They com-
pletely restored West Baden, the so-
called “Eighth Wonder of the World,”
adding in restoration of the even
larger French Lick Springs Hotel a
mile away. In total, they invested $560
million, transforming the two historic
hotels and reviving the economy of
the entire region.
Saving places with significant his-
tory and one-of-a-kind architecture
sparked the Cooks’ entrée into pres-
ervation in the 1970s, including one and the linked buildings that comprise An artist and time, working throughout the year to sort, repair, and price
of their first preservation projects: the the south side of the courthouse square. detailed researcher, items donated for the center’s annual garage sale, which
Gayle directed res-
1834 Colonel William Jones House When the Monroe County toration of original
raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to help the organiza-
in Gentryville, built for Abraham Courthouse was threatened, Gayle and details at the West tion’s operation.
Lincoln’s merchant employer. But as a small band organized to defeat the Baden Springs Since the 1970s, Gayle has given hundreds of talks to pro-
they saw jobs and business leaving demolition proposal. She remembered Hotel (above right) mote preservation and highlight historic places in Indiana. Her
and spurred res-
downtown Bloomington—where seeing murals beneath the building’s toration of hidden popular “Mystique of Domes” talk shares history and engineer-
the Cook family lives and maintains domed atrium while visiting the court- murals beneath the ing lessons learned from West Baden and other domes around
headquarters for their international house for jury duty years earlier, but the Monroe County the world. Inspired by her interest in domes, she formed a
Honoring an
Courthouse dome
For her decades medical device company—they also deteriorated artworks had been removed partnership to underwrite restoration of the stained-glass dome
(above left). She
of work saving saw preservation as good business, an and their location was a mystery—until at Indiana State University’s Normal Hall in Terre Haute.
also helped raise
Unparalleled Legacy
landmarks around
Indiana, Gayle Cook
opportunity to revitalize downtown Gayle and Bill discovered the canvases money to repur- In 2009, her affinity brought Gayle to Indianapolis, where
by giving new purpose to abandoned rolled up in a former elementary school pose Bloomington’s she and Bill undertook their last preservation project together
(above) won the
historic Carnegie
2021 Williamson and underutilized buildings. they’d recently purchased. Gayle, an library (below) as
before his death: restoring the former Central Avenue Methodist
A LIST OF THE PLACES SAVED BY GAYLE COOK, Prize for outstand- They began with the 1850 James artist herself, researched and underwrote Church, a vacant domed landmark in the city’s historic Old
the Monroe County
ing leadership in
her late husband Bill, and son Carl reads like a greatest hits historic preserva- Cochran House on Rogers Street, restoration and reinstallation of the History Center. Northside neighborhood. The Cooks spent $16 million to con-
of Indiana architecture: scores of structures including the tion. In the 1970s, renovating it as offices for the insur- long-hidden murals. PHOTOS BY LEE LEWELLEN
(TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM); vert the church into a state-of-the-art headquarters for Indiana
INDIANA LANDMARKS
Monroe County Courthouse, Beck’s Mill in Salem; Cedar she and her late ance division of their company. Gayle A detailed record-keeper and ARCHIVES (TOP RIGHT) Landmarks. “Like so many places in Indiana, we could not have
husband Bill reno-
Farm, a plantation house on the Ohio River; university build- envisioned another building, a historic researcher, Gayle applied her skills done it without Bill and Gayle’s support,” says Davis.
vated Bloomington’s
ings; downtown anchors; and huge turn-of the-century hotels. Cochran House warehouse, as a downtown anchor, time and again to discover the history
“I can think of no other family in the world who has done (below) as offices repurposing it as Bloomington Antique of buildings they chose to restore,
more for historic preservation,” says Indiana Landmarks for their growing Mall. Other restorations followed: identifying key details to save. “She
company.
President Marsh Davis. “Beyond the sheer number of prop- PHOTOS BY PAIGE WASSEL
a railroad depot, an eight-story former and Bill had a knack for selecting an
erties they’ve restored, Gayle and her family have elevated AND © CFC PROPERTIES
hotel, the vacant J.C. Penney building, era to restore a building to that brings
preservation in a very public way as both a social good and a out the most character of that build-
practical economic activity.” ing and gets the attention of the most
To honor her decades of advocacy and direct work to save people,” says Cook Group Architect
important historic places, Gayle Cook is the recipient of George Ridgway.
Indiana Landmarks’ 2021 Williamson Prize for outstanding Seeing the need for a community
leadership in historic preservation. history center, Gayle helped raise
“We did a little project down in French Lick and West money to repurpose Bloomington’s
Baden, and a few other buildings along the way,” laughs Gayle. historic Carnegie library, designing
Following a partial collapse of the West Baden Springs and building a sensitive addition to
Hotel in 1991, Indiana Landmarks bought the property and create the Monroe County History
found its saviors in Bill and Gayle Cook. “People said, ‘You’re Center. Along with raising money
crazy, it’s going to fall down,’ but it was more of a challenge to for the cause, Gayle donates her
4 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 5
AWA RD W INNERS
Purdue Polytechnic High Schools. “The vision for not just the
building but the neighborhood really sold us on it.”
Along with the site’s significant restoration and environ-
mental challenges, the $38 million redevelopment required
a complex stack of financing sources that took years to
come together, with support from the City of Indianapolis,
Consortium Capital, Indiana Economic Development
Corporation, LISC, MindTrust, Renew Indianapolis, PNC, JP
Morgan Chase, and Indiana Landmarks. The project simul-
taneously nominated the site to the National Register and Workers retained its successful development of alkaline
secured Federal historic tax credits, which require high restora- many of the former batteries continues today as a hub for
factory’s industrial
tion standards. elements, includ-
the next generation of inventors.
In adapting the four-story, 105,000 square-foot Administration ing original brick “This award recognizes the army
Building, restoration architect Schmidt Associates incorporated and beams (below). of people who played all sorts of
original features with new elements that served the schools’ par- Though water dam- important roles at critical points
age had destroyed
ticular educational needs. “It was about trying to find that blend much of the original in time,” says James Taylor, John
Re-energized Factory Wins rehabilitation of the P.R. Mallory
site could spur redevelopment along
of how to make it look modern and engaging and still preserve
the historic character of the building,” says Lisa Gomperts, proj-
wood floor, a
salvaged portion
Boner Neighborhood Centers CEO.
“This is a tenacious neighborhood
Top Restoration Prize
serves as a back-
East Washington Street, an area ect manager and principal of Schmidt Associates. that knows how to organize when it
drop for a photo
of Indianapolis that had not seen Directed by primary contractor Brandt Construction, display (above). needs to organize, and when we get
significant reinvestment in decades. workers restored clerestory windows under the original rooftop PHOTOS BY ©SCHMIDT that energy behind something, it’s
ASSOCIATES
FOR GENERATIONS OF RESIDENTS ON P.R. Mallory LLC’s $38 They created P.R. Mallory LLC in monitors to bring daylight into the top floor. Crews exposed kind of unstoppable.”
Indianapolis’s near eastside, the P.R. Mallory and Company million redevelop- 2018 and proposed a creative reuse original brick and steel beams and incorporated existing steel
ment of a decaying
complex served as a community anchor and one of its biggest industrial complex on
and ambitious restoration plan elevator doors into the design. Inspired by the site’s industrial
employers. Following the company’s departure in 1979, the Indianapolis’s near for the campus: repurposing it to history, new overhead garage doors divide large labs and class-
factory site increasingly became a symbol of despair. eastside into a state- house two public charter schools, rooms in Purdue Polytechnic’s space, providing the opportu-
Decades later, neighborhood leaders saw potential for the of-the-art setting for Paramount Englewood School of nity for flexibility and inviting collaboration.
two innovative charter
site to become a catalyst for revitalization in a traditionally schools earns Indiana Excellence and Purdue Polytechnic Though years of water damage had destroyed most of the
underserved neighborhood, championing a plan to rehabili- Landmarks’ 2021 Cook High School. original wood flooring, salvaged pieces now serve as a backdrop
tate the decaying industrial building for use by two twenty- Cup for Outstanding “When we started the school, for historic photos in a common area. A 1944 bunker building
Restoration.
first century educational facilities. “The community impact of PHOTOS BY ©SCHMIDT
we wanted to be someplace where found new use as the home of Uplift Produce—a hydroponic
this project is enormous,” says Indiana Landmarks President ASSOCIATES (ABOVE);
PAIGE WASSEL (BELOW)
we could be part of a community,” growing operation—and Purdue Robotics. A smokestack and a
Marsh Davis. “It’s a heroic transformation richly deserving of says Scott Bess, head of schools for guard shack were retained for future use.
our 2021 Cook Cup for Outstanding Restoration,” Purdue Polytechnic offers students in the community the
General Electric built the factory in 1920-21 on the site opportunity to attend free of charge, and, if they meet the
of the city’s former Washington Park. However, most people minimum admission requirements of Purdue University upon
associate the complex with P.R. Mallory and Company graduation, earn direct admission into Purdue Polytechnic
Inc.—a pioneer in electronics, electro-chemistry, and special- Institute, one of the university’s 10 academic colleges. Students
ized metallurgy—which operated there from 1929 to 1979. work with numerous STEM-focused industry partners that
The company held numerous patents for radios, automobiles, serve as mentors and guides.
refrigerators, and most notably, the Duracell battery. A Mayor-sponsored public charter school and second
The complex sat vacant for over 30 years following P.R. middle school program for Paramount’s award-winning flag-
Mallory and Company’s departure, its redevelopment stymied ship campus, Paramount Englewood’s curriculum is based on
by environmental issues that eventually required demolition of an exploratory learning program, with an emphasis on rigorous
a sawtooth manufacturing building and removal of 4,200 tons academics and on-campus experimental learning activities.
of dirt underneath to address a large underground flume. The adaptively reused building, with its many exposed sys-
Leaders from the Englewood Community Development tems, structure, and historic features, is the definitive learning
Corporation and John Boner Neighborhood Centers believed lab for students. The innovation that began at Mallory through
6 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 7
For slower exploration through Indiana’s historic CUTTING THROUGH DOWNTOWNS
downtowns and Main Streets, we recommend and along scenic natural features, Indiana’s historic roads and
traveling along historic byways. In Hancock
byways provide a pathway for sightseeing close to home.
County, the Historic National Road travels
Tium corporero
through the Downtown Greenfield Historic Unlike interstate travel—designed for getting from point A to
experum volorum
District, where shops, restaurants, and busi- point B by the fastest means possible—historic byways invite
aliquas volupta
nesses fill historic buildings, including the 1895 slower exploration along Indiana’s Main Streets.
volupta quates
Greenfield Masonic Temple, now an events venue. However, for many people, the freedom to explore the
dolut iduciame
PHOTO BY odi
LEE LEWELLEN
ducimpo ritatquo open road historically came with caveats. For African
que pe et velectus, Americans looking for safe places to stay, eat, and do busi-
etur soluptatur ness while traveling, the Negro Motorist Green Book (1936-
sum ilit, ut facea- 1967) was an invaluable resource. On page 14 we examine
qui denduntem
re omnist pra
the history of the guide, and a few Indiana sites that remain.
nonsequis acepuda On warm nights in the 1950s and ’60s, cars packed with
quistemodit. patrons pulled into hundreds of drive-in theaters across
Indiana, ready to enjoy feature films projected onto giant
screens. Though changing technology and preferences for
movie-watching eventually forced many drive-ins to close,
several of these iconic outdoor theaters still exist. See
pages 12-13 for a few still offering a vintage movie-going
experience and a taste of classic Americana.
C
alled “The Road that Built the Nation,” the Historic
National Road holds distinction as the nation’s first
federally funded interstate highway, stretching from
Cumberland, Maryland, to Vandalia, Illinois. Indiana’s section of
the road spans 156 miles from Richmond to Terre Haute.
A new digital driving guide created by the Indiana National
Road Association (indiananationalroad.com) provides inspiration
and tips for planning your own road trip along the historic byway,
highlighting historic attractions and local businesses.
“I’m always amazed at how many things there really are to see
when you get out and start traveling in small towns,” says Bob Hunt,
INRA treasurer, who helped compile the new resource. “This guide
is a good way to help people think about short trips they can take
across the state and encourage them to get out, drive the road and see
what’s out there.”
For example, in downtown Richmond, a collection of locally
owned shops and businesses in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-
century commercial buildings line Main Street, the pathway of the
Historic National Road. A few blocks south, the 1902 Richmond
8 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 9
South Bend
Michigan City
Valparaiso
Plymouth
Ft. Wayne
Logansport
Richmond
Indianapolis
Shelbyville
Terre Haute
Lawrenceburg
Madison
New Albany
Railroad Depot anchors the historic Depot District, a hub of The Indiana National To learn about more places along National Road An all-volunteer promote each city’s unique assets and
shops and restaurants, including Firehouse BBQ and Blues in Road Association’s the National Road, be sure to join group is spear- brainstorm ways to improve river
new digital driv- Ohio River heading cre-
the city’s oldest firehouse, Little Sheba’s Restaurant, Ullery’s ing guide highlights
a virtual talk on August 5 presented Recreation Trail ation of the Ohio
access and recreational opportunities.
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream parlor, The Two Sisters Books & by the Indiana National Road A technical assistance award from the
OTHER BYWAYS
attractions such River Recreation
More, and Richmond Furniture Gallery. as Firehouse BBQ Association (see details on p.19). Lincoln Highway
Trail, encourag- National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails,
TO EXPLORE
In the 2000s, Indiana Landmarks joined community lead- and Blues (above) In southern Indiana, one of the ing exploration in and Conservation Assistance Program
in Richmond and river communities
ers and the Urban Enterprise Association to stop demolition the restored 1930s state’s newest trails uses a natural Historic in Ohio, Indiana, funded planning sessions with Indiana
of the Daniel Burnham-designed railroad depot, which busi- Clabber Girl Billboard transportation route, the Ohio River, Michigan Road and Kentucky. community leaders this spring.
ness leaders Roger and Theresa Richert acquired and stabi- (below) at Terre as an attraction to draw visitors to Lincoln Highway The trail builds on Lawrenceburg and Aurora officials
Haute’s eastern edge. existing efforts by
lized in 2010. The site is now home to tenants including the towns from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Indiana native Carl Fisher laid out a plan to build have already been working to take
PHOTOS BY LEE LEWELLEN cities including
Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County. West Point, Kentucky. Through America’s first coast-to-coast paved highway, Lawrenceburg (top) advantage of the waterway, developing
Indiana, the Ohio River Recreation called the Lincoln Highway in honor of the Great and Jeffersonville the Dearborn Trail, a series of river-
Trail travels through New Albany, Emancipator. The highway follows two routes (above), which use front walking and biking trails along
the riverfront as an
Jeffersonville, Hanover, Madison, through northern Indiana developed in 1913 and 1928. attraction to draw
the Ohio River connecting both com-
Vevay, Rising Sun, Aurora, and Visit the recently updated turn-by-turn guide to navi- visitors to their his- munities. “Lawrenceburg is already
Lawrenceburg. gate both routes, find historic sites, restaurants, and toric downtowns. actively enhancing its waterfront. This
“These towns are like pearls on other attractions at indianalincolnhighway.org/map. PHOTOS BY WALTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP); trail gives us another tool to bring
LEE LEWELLEN (ABOVE)
a necklace, connected by the Ohio people to our great river town,” says
River, an accessible and vibrant trail Historic Michigan Road Lawrenceburg Main Street Director
corridor,” says Jack Sutton, a trail The Indiana State Legislature commissioned the
Michelle Cone.
co-chair representing Indiana river Michigan Road in 1826 as a means of connecting Check out the digital guide, avail-
communities. Madison on the Ohio River to Michigan City on Lake able at ohioriverrecreationtrail.org,
Trail organizers—an all-volunteer Michigan, routing through Indianapolis. Transformed which highlights historic attractions
group from Ohio, Indiana, and from dirt paths to paved highways, “Indiana’s and alerts boaters, cyclists, and
Kentucky—are working with com- Pioneer Highway,” remains imminently travelable motorists to commercial river traffic
munity leaders along the river to today. Plan your trip at historicmichiganroad.org. in real time.
10 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 11
pulled up in front of giant screens At the height of their popularity in the
on warm nights to take in the latest ’50s and early ’60s, an estimated 4,000
drive-ins dotted the country. Though
films, cartoons, and concession stand changes in technology and new enter-
promos featuring boxes of popcorn tainment options forced many to close,
marching along to catchy tunes. according to driveinmovie.com Indiana
In the 1970s and ’80s, new enter- retains about 20 drive-ins, including
Bloomington’s Starlite Drive-in (right),
tainment options, including multiplex which dates to 1955.
theaters, pulled patrons away from PHOTO BY RAINA REGAN
drive-ins, forcing many out of busi-
ness. Later, the expensive upgrade to
digital projection systems required to
show first-run movies became another
1949, Truman Rembusch began building a drive-in northeast
of town, with a ticket booth and concession stand—both still NOW SHOWING
I
n 1932, Richard Hollingshead nailed a bed sheet As patrons sought financial obstacle. in use today—and a shed to store a kiddie train. Named for its Ready to take in a movie under the stars? Here are
between two trees in his New Jersey backyard and socially distanced Last year, however, as the pandemic proximity to State Road 13 and Federal Road 24, the 17-acre a few Indiana drive-ins we’re fond of:
entertainment in 2020,
lined up cars in the driveway to watch a movie Wabash’s 13-24 Drive In
limited indoor movie theater watching site could hold up to 750 cars. The theater opened for business
projected from a 1928 Kodak projector mounted on the (below) hosted vintage options, many movie-goers rediscov- in August 1951, showing Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves on a Holiday Drive-In ROCKPORT
hood of his car. After vigorous testing (he used a sprinkler to films and live shows, ered the fun of open-air theaters. screen spanning 58 by 44 feet—a monster for its time. Opened in 1955, the theater may be Indiana’s
imitate rain), Hollingshead patented his idea, and the drive- including For King and Today, Indiana has about 20 Sixty years later, encroaching expansion of a nearby business largest: it added a sixth screen in 2016.
Country (above).
in theater was born. PHOTOS © HONEYWELL ARTS &
drive-ins according to the website park threatened the historic theater. “It was too cool to lose,” holidaydrivein.com
At one time, more than 4,000 drive-ins dotted the U.S. driveinmovie.com, including says local philanthropist Parker Beauchamp, who—along with
ENTERTAINMENT
landscape. Families, couples, and carloads of teenagers Wabash’s historic 13-24 Drive In. In his wife, Katie, and parents, Michael and Angie Beauchamp— Starlite Drive-In BLOOMINGTON
bought the place. “Of course, the first year in business we had Carl and Ruth Stewart opened the Starlite in their
to buy a new digital projector, which cost more than the drive- backyard in 1955. Today it’s run by the Barnhart
in itself. We got over it pretty quickly. Looking back on it all, I family, only the theater’s fourth owners. Set on a
think it was a good idea.” lot surrounded by trees, it’s a picturesque spot to
The Beauchamps recruited Honeywell Arts & Entertainment spend an evening.
to operate the theater, with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit starlitebloomington.com
organization. To give the drive-in an additional shot in the
arm, Parker’s company INGUARD covers the cost of admis- Cinema 67 Drive-In OWEN COUNTY
sion for all children 12 and under—more than 50,000 tickets Originally called Records Drive-In when it premiered
to date. in 1957, this single-screen theater has provided
summer entertainment for more than 60 years.
For years, the family considered using the site for live events,
cinema67.com
but 2020 brought the plan into focus, when a local music
series needed a new venue to meet social distancing require-
ments. With a new stage and upgraded electrical equipment, Moonlite Drive-In TERRE HAUTE
Can we call it a sequel? Opened in 2018 on the site
the 13-24 Drive In hosted local acts and national groups like
of the former Terre Haute Drive-In (1958-1988),
For King & Country. In total, 29,111 patrons attended 45
the theater shows films on its refurbished original
events at the drive-in in 2020, including live shows and Retro
40-by-80-foot screen.
Reels films. moonliteterrehaute.com
“We intend to be useful and creative in operating the facility
in new ways going forward and, as we return to full capac- Have a favorite historic drive-in theater? Tell us
ity, look forward to even hosting festivals,” says Tod Minnich, about it on our social media.
Honeywell Arts & Entertainment president and CEO.
IndianaLandmarks indianalandmarks
12 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 13
N EWS
HNC Executive Director Dana
Groves and Board Member Marcy
avoid unfriendly reception, rejection, Kauffman had to see what was under-
or danger at white-owned establish- neath; peeling back the aluminum,
ments, approached cautiously. they uncovered signs from the restau-
Over the three decades of its rant’s early days.
existence, the Green Book highlighted Crews are already working to
hundreds of Indiana places in 17 remove aluminum siding from the
cities. Larger cities like Fort Wayne, front façade, restore original windows
T
he rise of the automobile through the ’20s and ’30s Harlem postal Gary, Evansville, and Indianapolis on the second floor, and freshen up the
gave Americans the opportunity to travel farther worker Victor Hugo included over 75 listings, while cornice, and paint. If funds allow, the
Green’s Negro
and on their own terms, but not everyone could Motorist Green
smaller cities like Kokomo, Elkhart, group will restore the historic store-
enjoy this new-found freedom. African Americans faced daily Book, printed and Jeffersonville included only one or front as well. Once exterior improve-
prejudice, and racial segregation amplified fears when they
traveled to new places.
from 1936 to 1967,
offered African
two safe stops.
Unfortunately, most businesses New Carlisle Renovation ments are complete to the two-story
building, HNC plans to market it for
Reveals Hidden History
American travelers
In response, Victor Hugo Green, a Harlem postal worker recommendations featured in the guide have vanished sale, hoping to entice new business to
turned travel agent, created the Negro Motorist Green Book, list- for staying safe from the Indiana landscape. Following downtown New Carlisle.
ing businesses safe for African Americans. His first Green Book while traveling. In the Civil Rights Movement in the ’50s
Indiana, the Green
in 1936 covered only New York City, but its instant success and ’60s, African Americans faced FRESH OFF THE SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION
Book noted hun-
prompted national expansion a year later. At its height, nearly dreds of places in 17 fewer barriers to their patronage, and of a historic office and museum space, Indiana Landmarks’
15,000 books were printed. cities. Though many the number of black-owned businesses affiliate Historic New Carlisle (HNC) has launched another
The guide included listings by city plus practical road have disappeared, a dwindled. At the same time, urban downtown renovation project, uncovering some long-hidden
tourist home in New
advice, which according to the 1950 edition’s introduction Albany (above) and
renewal projects led to demolition history in the process.
aimed to “give the Negro traveler information that will keep the Indiana Motel in of predominantly African American Most long-time New Carlisle residents know the building
him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to Anderson, today the commercial districts for new highways as part of Miller’s Home Café. Famous for its down-home
make his trips more enjoyable.” Entries included hotels, tourist Anderson Country and development. cooking, including fried chicken and homemade noodles, the
Inn (below), survive.
homes, taverns, restaurants, garages, service stations, dance PHOTOS BY LAURA RENWICK
One remaining Green Book site, beloved restaurant occupied two connected storefronts on
halls, theaters, barber shops, and beauty salons—places most (ABOVE); JESSIE RUSSETT
(BELOW) Pryor’s Country Place in Angola, served Michigan Street for nearly 60 years.
travelers took for granted, but African Americans, eager to African Americans from Indianapolis, After the restaurant closed in 2017, Historic New Carlisle
Detroit, and Chicago vacationing at (HNC) used a loan from Indiana Landmarks to acquire one of
Fox Lake. Other still-standing sites the storefronts, removing a 1970s facade and returning its historic
include Anderson’s Indiana Motel, and appearance. The group rehabbed the one-story building as a local
private “tourist homes” in Kokomo, history museum, gift shop, and programming space, using addi-
Evansville, and New Albany. tional funding from the Efroymson Family Fund of the Central
Whether Green Book sites are Indiana Community Foundation, the St. Joseph County Tourism
standing or lost, the guide provides a Capital Development Fund, and the Indiana Historical Society.
unique perspective on travel from the After completing the museum restoration, the HNC team
’30s to the ’60s. See the guides yourself found itself itching for a new project—missing the daily
through the New York Public Library’s camaraderie and sense of fulfillment. Using another loan from
online collection, digitalcollections. Indiana Landmarks, the group bought the second café store-
nypl.org/collections/the-green-book. front earlier this year.
As volunteers tackled interior renovation, they uncovered
Written by Brad Miller, Indiana historic signage hidden under layers of plaster and paneling.
Landmarks Northwest Field Office Constructed later than its one-story neighbor, the two-story Indiana Landmarks affiliate Historic New Carlisle uses our
Director. Read an expanded version online: building covered a formerly exterior wall advertising Steinway, loans to renovate downtown buildings, including a one-story
commercial building rehabbed as a local history museum and
indianalandmarks.org/road-tripping- Chase, and Starr Pianos. programming space, and a storefront next door, where work-
in-the-era-of-the-green-book The group discovered more evidence of the building’s his- ers uncovered historic signage (top) for a piano company.
tory when wind gusts pulled aluminum loose off the exterior. PHOTOS BY TODD ZEIGER (TOP LEFT AND TOP); © HISTORIC NEW CARLISLE (ABOVE)
14 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 15
M E M B ER PROF ILE
FOR LANDMARKS ON THE MARKET
SALE see more at indianalandmarks.org/for-sale
Partnering B RIE F LY
NOTE D
to Save
a Family BOARD NOMINATIONS
Landmark
Every year, members of Indiana Landmarks
are invited to elect directors. Board mem-
bers serve three-year terms, with one-
third being elected each year. According
to Indiana Landmarks’ bylaws, members
IN AUGUST 2017, ZIONSVILLE On a trip through Unbeknownst to us, something was being done, it just didn’t may vote for candidates proposed by the
resident Fritz Kunz and his cousin southern Indiana look like it.” Governance Committee of the board, or
to visit places their
Margaret Ohmert were tracking ancestors had lived,
One of the family’s historians, Margaret had already begun by at least 10 voting members. Members
their family’s roots through southern researching her great-grandmother Katherine “Katie” Anna can vote for this year’s slate of officers
Fritz Kunz and
and directors via Indiana Landmarks’
Indiana, traveling to places their ances- Margaret Ohmert Kunz Hartman, a widow who married New Albany mill owner
website, indianalandmarks.org, beginning
tors had lived. Their journey took them discovered Indiana Louis Hartman and built the house on State Street in 1899.
to 911 State Street in New Albany,
Landmarks restor-
ing a fire-damaged Back home in Utah, Margaret wanted to learn more about her
September 1. Watch for more details in
the next issue of Indiana Preservation
on the proposed candidates. To nomi-
Midway Grade School
where a Queen Anne-style house stood Queen Anne-style ancestor’s home and reached out to the Floyd County Library. 7851 N 425 W, Midway
house in New nate a candidate for election to the
surrounded by crime scene tape, its “The librarian wrote back, “I know the Hartman House. It’s Create a quiet country getaway in this 1925 schoolhouse, which
Albany built by board of directors, submit your nomi-
blackened roof evidence of a recent fire. currently being restored by Indiana Landmarks,” says Margaret. nation in writing by August 23 to Sara retains original hardwood floors and brick. Amazing bones but com-
their great-grand-
“We found our great-grandparents’ mother. The family “It was like getting the baby out of the fire at the last moment.” Edgerton, Chairperson of the Board, plete rehabilitation needed. School is 7,000 square feet and located
home in complete and utter ruin,” says The family already had long attachments with the organiza- Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Avenue, on a 3-acre lot. Serious inquiries only.
supported the
project financially, Indianapolis, IN, 46202. $79,900, 615-807-0533
Fritz. ‘It was really difficult for us to tion, having previously owned historic homes in downtown
provided historic
realize that this would be a piece of his- Indianapolis including the Morris-Butler House now owned by
tory that would be missing and gone
photos (below), COVID-19 UPDATE Kinnear House
and visited the Indiana Landmarks. Fritz had worked with Indiana Landmarks
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 3306 Ruckle Street, Indianapolis
forever. It was dilapidated, but you property after its in 2009 to establish the Traders Point Eagle Creek Rural Historic
2021 (H.R. 133) extended two opportuni- Colonial Revival-style brick house
could see the original grandeur too.” grand opening in District in Zionsville and hosted a Barn Again! workshop at ties for donors that were established by combines vintage details with modern
2019 (above).
“We come to this house hoping PHOTOS BY LAURA RENWICK
Traders Point Creamery, his home and business. 2020’s CARES Act: amenities. Built in 1922, the house
to be uplifted and it’s worse than (ABOVE); © KUNZ FAMILY
(BELOW) What began as a journey to learn more about their great- A universal (or non-itemized, retains original hardwood floors,
we could imagine,” adds Margaret. grandmother became a family effort to help preserve the house above-the-line) deduction allowing woodwork, and staircase. 3 bed-
“We said, ‘This is really wrong. she helped build. Along with lending financial support to the taxpayers to deduct up to $300 rooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2 half baths.
in charitable contributions (cash Unfinished basement and partially fin-
Something has to be done about it.’ restoration, the family shared letters Katherine had written ished attic. All new electrical, plumb-
donations, not in-kind contributions)
to her son, their grandfather Albert, describing the house’s made in 2021. For 2021, both ing, heating and cooling systems.
construction. The letters also helped confirm the house was spouses may claim the $300 for a $325,000, Chad Lethig, clethig@
built by Stephen Day, a prolific carpenter contractor who con- total of $600. indianalandmarks.org, 317-639-4534
structed several New Albany houses and public buildings. For those who claim itemized deduc-
They also shared candid photos of the house and family taken tions, the charitable deduction limit is
by their grandfather Albert, printing enlargements to hang on the raised from 60 percent of adjusted gross
first floor of the restored house, now home to Indiana Landmarks’
income to 100 percent for donations Help Indiana Landmarks achieve even more by:
made in 2021.
Southern Regional Office. Margaret shared excerpts from
If you would like to discuss a charitable • Renewing your membership For more information
Katherine’s letters at the Kunz Hartman House grand opening in talk to Sharon Gamble,
gift to Indiana Landmarks, contact
May 2019, and family members from across the country visited • Making a donation in addition
Sharon Gamble, Vice President for
to membership 800-450-4534
the restored house during their annual family reunion in Indiana. Development, 317-822-7921, sgamble@ or visit
“Indiana Landmarks gave us a huge gift in saving our family indianalandmarks.org. As always, please • Including Indiana Landmarks indianalandmarks.org
consult your own tax advisor for advice. in your estate plans
home and the opportunity to partner with them,” says Fritz.
“It’s been a wonderful journey.”
16 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 17
Indiana Modern Tour, Aug. 19
30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. INDIANAPOLIS
$3/Indiana Landmarks member, $5/ TOURS
person ages 6 and up. Children ages Monument Circle
5 and under are free. RSVP at On select Saturdays, May
EVAN HALE
indydowntownsafari.eventbrite.com through October, one-
or by calling 317-639-4534. hour guided walking tours
examine the story of the
Circle at the heart of the
Pounding the Pavement
Aug. 5, online
city including the Soldiers
and Sailors Monument
OUTDOOR MARKET
For communities across Indiana, the and encircling landmarks.
I
July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Indianapolis
Tours depart at 10 a.m. on
National Road serves as both down-
town thoroughfare and as a com-
July 10 & 24, Aug. 14 & 18, ndiana Landmarks partners with Indy
Sept. 11 & 25. $10/general
mon pathway connecting the state admission, $5/child (age
Urban Flea to host an outdoor market
from east to west. Join Bob Hunt 6-11); $8/member; free for featuring vintage, locally made, and one-
and Larry Messing of the Indiana
children ages 5 and under. of-a-kind handcrafted items on the parking
National Road Association for a City Market lot and Place de Basile courtyard of Indiana
virtual talk, “Pounding the Pavement: Catacombs Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue.
Tours & Events
Destinations Along the Old National Join a guided tour of the Free building tours ongoing during mar-
Road,” highlighting historic stops
remains of Tomlinson ket, which will include a food truck on site.
Hall, hidden beneath the
and hidden gems, from 1830s homes Indianapolis City Market.
Free admission and parking on surrounding
July/August 2021 to mid-century roadside attractions. In 2021, tours begin on streets. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sponsored by Indiana Landmarks’ the market’s mezzanine
LARRY PHELPS and include a brief his-
affinity group Indiana Automotive. tory about the building’s
indianalandmarks.org/tours-events Ticket Sale Alert
Free with RSVP. 6-7 p.m. Buy online development. Tours
(317) 639-4534
FRENCH LICK & WEST BADEN at inra21.eventbrite.com depart every 15 minutes
from 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Tickets for the annual in-person Century of Progress
All times are eastern. Please note that some events SPRINGS TOURS on July 3 & 17, Aug. 7 &
Tours in the Indiana Dunes National Park on
are in-person, and others are virtual. Ongoing tours for overnight guests: Indiana Modern Tour 21, Sept. 4 & 18. Advance September 25-26 will go on sale Monday, August 2 at
Aug. 19, online ticket encouraged. $12/ 9 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. CDT), and if tradition holds, will
West Baden Twilight Tours Our popular Back to the Future: A general admission, $6/ sell out quickly. Tickets are $30/Indiana Landmarks
Springs Hotel
Home Tour Tuesday-Saturday,
July 24, Aug. 21, and
Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Mid-Century Modern Home Tour
child (age 6-11), $10/
member; free for children
member, $35/general public and will be limited in
July 10, Greendale 2 & 4 p.m. returns this year in a virtual format, ages 5 and under. timed tour slots to allow for social distancing. Buy
On select Saturdays,
Now known as Greyhound Manor, Greendale’s Cook House was French Lick Twilight Tours explore taking attendees on a journey to five online at centuryofprogresstour21.eventbrite.com or
Athenaeum
still undergoing rehab when we featured it on our Ridge Avenue Springs Hotel what it was like to be a Modernist standouts around the call 317-639-4534.
Tuesday-Saturday guest of the West Baden On select Wednesdays
Ramble tour in 2018. Now, owners Jim and Sam Fulton invite the state. See modern homes in Munster, and Sundays, May
Noon Springs Hotel during its
public to see the fully renovated 1860s Italianate home. Presented in West Lafayette, Bloomington, Floyds through October, one-
Tours depart from our grand era. Costumed
partnership with Dearborn County Historical Society. Free timed-
entry tickets with RSVP. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. greyhoundmanortour21.
Landmarks Emporium characters representing
famous guests—golfer
Knobs, and a Frank Lloyd Wright-
designed house in Marion. Sponsored
hour guided tours explore
the history, architecture, Dates to Save
shops in the hotels. and preservation of the
eventbrite.com. Discount for members Walter Hagen, mobster by Indiana Landmarks’ affinity group, Athenaeum, as it evolved Indiana Landmarks’ Century of
on tours and in shops. Big Jim Colosimo, author
Indiana Modern, and hosted by Mary from German clubhouse Annual Meeting Progress Tour
Edna Ferber, the “unsink-
Downtown Safari Reservations recom-
mended. 812-936-5870, able” Molly Brown, and Rachel Redman of Inside Indiana to a hub of modern urban Sept. 11, online Sept. 25-26,
Indiana Dunes
life. Tours depart at 5:45 Carnegie Library
July 31, Indianapolis swoodward@indianaland- others share their impres- Business. Tickets are $20/general
sions of the hotel and and 6 p.m. on July 21, Celebration Preserving Historic
During a 45-minute guided safari, families will explore stone and marks.org. public, $15/Indiana Landmarks and Aug. 18, and Sept. 22, and
healing mineral springs. Sept. 19, Rensselaer Places Virtual
metal “wildlife” in architecture and sculpture throughout down- Note: All tours are open $20/Indiana Landmarks Indiana Modern members. Video tour 1:45 and 2 p.m. on July 11 Conference
& Aug. 8. Advance ticket Bottleworks Talk
town Indianapolis, participate in playful activities, and discover the only to overnight guests member; $25/adult gen- premieres at 7 p.m. and ticket buyers Sept. 23, Indianapolis
Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, online
of French Lick Resort, sub- eral admission, $10/child encouraged. $10/general
stories and symbolism behind these magnificent beasts. Following have access for two weeks following. Chatham Arch/
ject to the historic hotels (ages 6-14). Purchase by admission; $5/child (age Century of
the tour, families can participate in optional activities meant to Bonus: Join a live Q&A session after 6-11); $8/member; free for Progress Talk
Bottleworks Tour
being open to the public. calling 812-936-5870 or
spark their creativity and help them remember what they’ve learned. the tour premiere. Buy online at children ages 5 and under. Oct. 5, Indianapolis
Check our website for cur- by emailing swoodward@ Sept. 24, Indiana Dunes
Tours depart from University Park, 307 N. Meridian Street, every rent status and ticket info. indianalandmarks.org. midcenturytour21.eventbrite.com.
18 INDIANA PRESERVATION indianalandmarks.org 19Nonprofit Org.
PAID
U.S. Postage
1201 Central Avenue
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Permit No. 3464
AN D F INALLY
Move-In Ready
IN ACQUIRING HISTORIC HOUSES TO SELL, Indiana Landmarks wood floors and original trim, added
Indiana Landmarks looks for architecturally significant proper- recently completed fresh paint inside and out, and installed
a turn-key rehabili-
ties in need of restoration, where our improvements might tation of the 1922
new electrical, plumbing, insulation,
inspire further investment in the house and surrounding neigh- Kinnear House and two high-efficiency heating and
borhood. In 2018, we purchased the Kinnear House on 3306 in Indianapolis’s air conditioning systems. The property
N. Ruckle Street in Indianapolis and commenced a turnkey Mapleton-Fall Creek will be sold with Indiana Landmarks’
neighborhood.
rehabilitation combining the best of old and new. Now, we’re Now on the market protective covenants to ensure its long-
offering the house for sale for $325,000. for $325,000, the term preservation. See floor plans and
Built in 1922 for local real estate developer Willis Kinnear property combines additional photos of the property on
modern amenities
and his wife Beulah, the Colonial Revival-style house includes 3 our website, indianalandmarks.org/
with restored his-
bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2 half baths, a full unfinished base- toric character. properties-for-sale.
ment and partially finished bonus room. We refinished the hard- PHOTO BY CHAD LETHIG
indianalandmarks.orgYou can also read
