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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT <br />APPLICATION -- 1996-1203 <br />PROPERTY --66251 Cedar Road <br />Wakarusa, IN (Madison Township, St. Joseph County) <br />OWNER -- Arlene Stump et al (Lloyd Geyer heirs) <br />DESI07ATION -- Local Landmark <br />RATING -- S111 <br />Note: the survey cards prepared in 1979 on the card type then used <br />for such do not indicate the survey rating. The table found in the <br />Summary Report lists the Bichle log house at this site separately <br />but groups the other house and farm buildings together with a <br />collective rating. <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />(See attached history) <br />This site_was apparently first occupied by George Bickle (Bickel ?) who <br />constructed the log house in 1853..According to a newspaper account of unmown <br />origin found in our files, Mrs. Ida Geyer stated that the log house we she' <br />recalled being afraid of in her youth and later became her home had at some <br />time been moved. We may infer however that this relocation was within the <br />bounds of the farm property, and probably not of a great distance. The early <br />Bickle and later Geyer families resided in the log house until 1395 when the <br />• present4armhouse was constructed. <br />The "summer house" presently under consideration is dated on the survey card <br />as being constructed in 1395. However we have found no evidence confirming' <br />this date which corresponds to the known construction date of the farmhouse <br />which was and is quite ornate though modest in scale. <br />Several of the Geyer children were apparently born in.the lo„ house and there <br />is no indication of any other structure having been transitional between.these <br />residences. However the 2/2 window style would suggest an earlier date for <br />this building. It may be possible that this building was constructed as an <br />office for the sawmill operation which proceeded and enabled the farm <br />operation or.that this buil.ding.was relocated to its present site. <br />It would appear from the organization of data on the survey cards and summary <br />report that the log house is given special emphasis and that the barn is <br />considered an outstanding resource. The significance of the house which has <br />been extensively altered and the summer house which has, been somewhat altered <br />and is more humble in character appears to be of an ensemble nature a: <br />contributing; to .an "nusually compl_ot.e farmyard sot -piece. <br />PROPOSED CHANGE <br />The owners propose to demolish the summer house <br />