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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT PROPERTY -- 630 West Washington South Bend, IN 46601 OWNER -- Lisa Maguire DESIGNATION -- Local Landmark; West Washington NRHD STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The house at 630 West Washington is located in the West Washington National Register Historic District and was assigned a rating of 0/13 on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. A rating of 0/13 is the highest possible and indicates that the property is already listed or should be con- sidered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. This large Queen Anne style house was constructed for Dr. Lewis Pagin circa 1880. It was originally a somewha-t smaller and simpler white frame house surrounded by large shade trees. In 1886 James Oliver purchased the property and had the home remodeled and enlarged to its present size. In 1887 James Oliver deeded the property to his daughter Josephine and her husband George Ford. George Ford was a prominent local attorney who rose to the rank of County Prosecutor. He also served as the Congressman from the 13th District. Ford served as legal counsel to his father-in-law's business, the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, and also as Vice President of the Indiana Northern Railway Co. He was one of the original members of the Northern Indiana Historical Society and was made a judge of the Superior Court in 1912. He died in 1917, his wife preceded him in death in 1913. The property was then passed to James Oliver's granddaughter Gertrude Oliver and her husband Frederick C. Cunningham. The Cunningham's had the house remodeled by local architects Austin and Shambleau in 1911 (?) and again in 1927 by another local architect, Ernest W. Young. Mrs. Cunningham continued to live in the home until her death in 1988. The house is largely unaltered and in excellent condition. Among its notable features are molded cornice boards, flower/vine motif in the front gable, turned spindles and balustrade on the front porches, a porte cochere on the west side and a conical tower at the northwest corner. Also important are the slate shingles, decorated metal ridgework and the eave details. The house is an outstanding early_ example of the Queen Anne style which flourished in South Bend circa 1890-1910. PROPOSED CHANGE The project consists of re -roofing the entire house; replacing the existing slate with synthetic shingles. Copper valleys will be installed. The metal roof over the front porch will be scraped and re -coated. The decorative metal ridgework will be removed, repainted and re -installed as was. The gutters will be patched and one downspout will be replaced. Existing shade trees will be trimmed away from the roof. The childrens playhouse will be re -roofed.