Top 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites

At its 2004 annual meeting, Preserve Richmond introduced its first-ever list of the most endangered historic sites in our community. None of the properties have been lost and several have had dramatic improvements.

Below is a list of the sites with brief updates on their current status:

1. Solomon Dickinson Log House. (Saved)
On the property of the Wayne County Historical Museum, the Dickinson Cabin was moved from its original site on Fort Wayne Avenue in the late 1960s. The building had deteriorated significantly and had been temporarily stabilized with steel on the outside of the building. With the support of the City of Richmond’s Historic Preservation Commission, the Museum received a federal grant through the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology and the building has been restored.

2. Andrew Finley Scott House. (Saved)
Built in 1858 at 126 N. 10th Street, the Scott House was left to the Wayne County Museum by descendants of the Scott family for use as an historic house museum in the 1970s. While the Museum restored the property and furnished the house as its Victorian Annex, rising maintenance and utility costs forced the Museum’s board to consider alternatives. After attaching historic preservation covenants to the deed, the house was sold to private individuals who have completed much of the deferred maintenance and have opened the home as a “dinner house.”

Pennsylvania Railroad Station, Richmond, Indiana

3. The Pennsylvania Railroad Depot. (In progress)
Built in 1902 and designed by the firm of famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the Depot had been vacant for decades. Despite a number of attempts, the Urban Enterprise Association (the building’s owner) had been unable to find a buyer for the Depot and some were calling for the building’s demolition. After the building was also listed on Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana’s most endangered list, owners of an Indianapolis-based antiques business took ownership of the building and are in the process of renovating it for use as an antiques and architectural salvage business.

4. Ruins of the Starr Piano Factory. (Saved)
Located in the Whitewater Gorge Park, ruins of the last remaining building of the vast Starr Piano Factory complex was deteriorating after a fire gutted the building’s interiors. The City of Richmond and its Parks and Recreation Department sought grant money from a variety of sources to clean up the area and to stabilize the ruins. Recently, a roof was placed over the building and it is now being used an open-air pavilion in the Gorge Park. Later this year the Starr Gennett Foundation will open its Walk of Fame near the building.

5. Old Friends Meeting House
Built in 1870 on the site of the original Friends Meeting House in Richmond, the building was sold in the 1960s and is currently used for storage by the adjacent business. While the building appears to be stable, its future continues to be a concern.

6. William G. Scott House/Knights of Columbus (In progress)
Formerly a grand private home at North 10th and B Streets, the home was built in 1885-6 of Connecticut brownstone and pressed brick. For a number of years, the house and a large modern addition have served as home to the Knights of Columbus. Leaders of the club have been raising funds and making improvements to the historic building but much remains to be done.

7. Frank W. Spinning Building. (Saved)
Absentee owners of the Spinning building at 10-12 North 10th, had let the building deteriorate and it was placed on the City’s Unsafe Buildings list and the rear corner of the building was in danger of collapse. The owner was persuaded to donate the building to Historic Landmarks Foundation which attached historic preservation covenants and passed the building on to the Economic Growth Group. Preserve Richmond funded a feasibility study with a grant from HLFI and EGG received two grants from Richmond’s Redevelopment Commission to fund a partial restoration. Once stabilized, EGG sold the building to the interior design firm of Interior Translation which has just completed a restoration for use as a design studio and retail shop.

8. John Elwood Bundy Studio.
At the rear of the 527 West Main Street residence of the “dean” of the Richmond School of artists, John Elwood Bundy, sits his studio. Damaged by a fire, the owners were considering options for the building, including demolition. The building remains fire damaged and unrestored. Its future is still uncertain.

9. Richmond Gas Company Buildings. (Lost)
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historic and architectural significance, the oldest parts of this building were constructed in 1855. The buildings are owned by the City of Richmond as a part of the Whitewater Gorge Park. While plans have been developed for possible uses, no use has been proved to yet to be viable. Considered an eyesore by some in city government, calls to demolish the building will grow louder unless a plan for its restoration is developed.

10. Former Fire Station No. 1 9 (Saved)
Richmond’s most important architect, John A. Hasecoster, designed the building at 400 North 8th Street as an impressive fire house in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. With its tower lopped off, the building has recently served as home to the Irvin Moore American Legion Post #359. The Legion struggles to maintain the building and has deferred maintenance for years. The future viability of the Post #359 and their headquarters building remain uncertain.

What's Happening in our Community

Mission Statement

To encourage sustainable development through preservation of historic resources and the heritage of Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana;
To help foster an understanding of our ancestors and their role in the historic and cultural development of the community;
To demonstrate the economic viability of the rescue of historic structures through advocacy, acquisition, protection, and research about sites, structures, and artifacts of importance to the cultural and historic development for the educational programs;
To publish literature about local and American architecture, interior design, antiques, technology and other related matters.

Membership

Individual $15

Family $20

Sustaining $25 and up

Corporate $35 and up

To join or renew your membership, send dues to:

Preserve Richmond, Inc.
P.O. Box 1873
Richmond, Indiana 47374-1873

Board of Directors

Julie Owen, President Ron Morris

Lynn L. Johnstone, Secretary Roger Lindsey

Erma Rich, Treasurer Pam Passmore

Penn Ansorg John Kelley

Terry Harkleroad Jean Prichard, Ex Offico

Gail Martin

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