Late last week I noticed the sign shown below posted in front of a building on the Lincoln Highway (IN 930) in New Haven in an area that until recent decades was an unincorporated area between the limits of Fort Wayne and its eastern neighbor. That building is shown at left.
The substantial house with the tile roof was built as the residence of a physician. It was located on what was the first paved transcontinental highway in the United States.
Its demolition will mean a little bit more of the historic record of the Lincoln Highway will be lost. In recent years, the demolition of the old Hoosier Courts motel and the Jefferson Consolidated School means that the structures which were familiar sights - and sites - to motorists traveling the Lincoln Highway are gone forever.
However, auction goers will have the opportunity to salvage some of the house by bidding on an original mural, a substantial fireplace and extensive woodwork on November 9th. You may view details and photos of the interior at the Frecker Auction website.
That's terribly saddening news. But no sense in keeping a well-built old structure around when you can replace it with a parking lot or a crappy prefab warehouse. That's the modern American way.
Posted by: Barry Wiggins | October 29, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Wait. Is this where I'm prompted to ask the obvious question.
WHY ARE WE TEARING THIS HOUSE DOWN?!
I looked at the stuff up for auction - the interior of that house is drop dead gorgeous.
Doesn't it fall into historical jurisdiction???
Posted by: Kristina Frazier-Henry | October 29, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I am shocked! What a gorgeous property I can't believe someone wouldn't want to move this house somewhere else. You can't build something like this today. I am so, so sad. Someone -- please save this place!
Posted by: Jennifer Zartman Romano | October 29, 2008 at 09:20 PM
That is really sad. I pass that beautiful home on my way to work in New Haven.
Posted by: Sue Richards | October 29, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Damn shame they can't "relocate" the building (historicasl preservation society...where are you?)....seems s pity to raze a nice, solid brick structure like that.
B.G.
Posted by: Bob Gaul | October 30, 2008 at 09:26 AM
The Dr. Cowan House is eligible for the National Register. If anyone plans a project using federal or state transportation funds at the site after this landmark is destroyed, they might find that the funds are not available, due to federal statutes that do not allow federal funds to be used to adversely affect historic structures.
Kristina asks if the house falls under some historical jursidiction. Municipalities and counties in Indiana can adopt a Historic Preservation Ordinance, which places some protections on landmarks like this. Fort Wayne has such an ordiance, and as such, owners can voluntarily place their home under the ordinance's protection, which provides design review for exterior projects. (demolition is an exterior change, on a giant, horrible scale).
Both Allen County and the City of New Haven have the information about adopting a Historic Preservation Ordinance, and ARCH and others have pushed for this for several years. Unfortunately, neither has adopted an ordinance at this time.
Angie Quinn
Executive Director
ARCH, Inc.
Posted by: Angie Quinn | October 30, 2008 at 10:11 AM
The sight of this house was always a gentle reminder of civil existence and the nobility of solid craftsmanship among the trucking boneyards and neon of the New Haven to Fort Wayne gauntlet.
Posted by: Kris Bowers | October 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Mitch - Is this demolition to make room for the South end of the unnecessary Maplecrest Road/ Adams Center connection? Or is it to make room for one of the "new" (or relocated) businesses due to this boondoggle (from which the funds to pay for it will be coming from)?
Posted by: john b. kalb | October 30, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Readers want to know. Why is the house being demolished? It's beautiful!
Posted by: Jason Blosser | October 31, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Yes, if anybody has any information as to why this beautiful old house is being torn down please let us know. I can't believe demolition is the only option for this house. Is it a imminent domain situation or something like that?
Posted by: Jeff Smith | November 02, 2008 at 03:42 PM
More information from the auction company
They need the ground to expand the business. The house was not cast effective to bring to code.
Thank you
Jason
Posted by: Kristina Frazier-Henry | November 07, 2008 at 11:23 AM
and from another source:
Kristina,
The house is currently used for office space and is occupied by a truck
sales business called Pampered Coach. Attached to the house is a newer
building which is used for truck maintenance. This building was recently
expanded and I'm guessing that they're moving their offices out of the
house and into the newer building. The house will likely be demolished to
create additional parking area and to accommodate future expansion. You
can see the buildings on the following aerial:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTSN&cp=qvbk6y7xc201&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=13476218&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
Posted by: Kristina Frazier-Henry | November 07, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I think the guy thats owns this business is a great guy. To all of you that have negitive things to say i ask you this, what have to done to prevent this from happening, why didn't you come to the auction to help save some of this history that you supposedly care so much about? Stop complaining and writing comments on here. Don't you all have something better to do with your time? I think this will be a great new look for this part of town and
Indiana as a whole. You all have forgoten the jobs that were created by this new renovation. Look at the big picture folks. Now go do something with your life that doesnt' involve trying to critique others. Start worrying about yourself.
Posted by: John Rolfe | November 20, 2008 at 08:20 PM