8609-95 Establishing Historic Landmark 511 W Colfax Ave

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western half of the front facade, two hipped roof dormers, and a cross gable dormer in the rear. The gables have large overhanging belicast eaves, broad rake boards, and are supported by decorative brackets. There are two rectangular exterior gable end fieldstone chimneys. The single story fieldstone front porch is continuous over the south facade with short romanesque stone columns supporting the hipped tile roof which has a pedimented entry bay. The entry stairs are stone with massive stone balustrades. The porte-cochere on the east side has two complete fieldstone square piers and two round columns supporting the hipped roof. The windows are double hung on the two lower floors. The glazing is often elaborate in the top pane with a blank lower pane. There are diamond pane casements in the attic story of the front facade. The first and second story windows have rock face stone sills. The second story front facade exhibits an oval window. The front entry is a double wood door with large single glass panes and elaborate leaded glass fan light above. The door is recessed into a arched stone entry. HISTORICAL CONTEXT The Birdsell Clover Huller was invented by John Comley Birdsell in Monroe County, New York in 1855. In 1864, Mr. Birdsell's factory was destroyed by fire. He determined to move west and settle in South Bend. In 1870 the Birdsell Manufacturing Company was formed and a five story brick factory building was erected. At the time it was the largest factory building in South Bend. The company enjoyed the distinction of having the largest clover huller factory in the world. The Birdsell Clover Huller was one of the important implements of early farming in the Midwest. [3] Joseph Benjamin Birdsell was born in Monroe County, New York, December 2, 1844 to John Comley and Harriet Lunt Birdsell. At the age of 19 he began working in the office of his father's establishment. When the Birdsell Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1870, Mr. J.B. Birdsell was made treasurer. After the death of his father in 1894, Mr. Birdsell was chosen president and treasurer of the company in which capacity he served until his death in 1906. [4] Bank Out Lot 15 was purchased in 1897 by Joseph Benjamin Birdsell and Olive Tarbell Birsell for $8,800. They hired architect Wilson Parker to design the house.[5] Parker came to South Bend in 1892 and entered into partnership with Ennis R. Austin. Parker had previously spent three years with McKim, Meade and White and two years with the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company. Other important buildings designed by Parker & Austin include St. James Episcopal Church and Epworth Hospital. [6] In 1899 the home was complete and the Birdsells had taken up residence.[7] J.B. Birdsell retired from the Birdsell Manufacturing Company in the spring of 1906 and died September 27, 1906 at the age of 61. He was survived by his widow, a son, and two daughters.[8] Mrs. Birdsell continued to live at 511 West Colfax until the Income Guarantee Company took possession of the property in 1928 and remodeled the house into offices. It was sold in 1955 to Damon Burford, H.J. Alley, and Sophia C. Alley. The property sold again in 1959 to LR Building Corporation.[9] In 1960 the building housed the offices of attorney F. Jay Nimtz. Nimtz was a