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1631 Lincolnway West • HISTORICAL CONTEXT This property is located on Lincolnway West which is the twentieth Century name for the Michigan road which was opened in the early 1830's as the first connecting road between Lake Michigan and the Ohio River. This lot was platted in 1904. However,'the assessor's records indicate no structures constructed in that year and only a few in 1905 and 1906. The South Bend Brewing Association Brewery directly across the street was constructed in 1905. The building presently being.' considered was constructed in the first wave of major development of Augustine's Addition in 1907. - The first resident known to reside at this address was Wm. If Wenrick, a foreman at Singer. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This house is a two-story foursquare type constructed entirely in split -rock faced concrete block with a pyramidal roof which features an attic gable to the front and east sides. These gable walls are finished in stucco/half timber effect. A one story covered front porch .which is also constructed in the split -faced block including the porch knee -wall and piers which support tuscan columns. RECOMMENDATION Based on the HPC Local Landmarks Criteria, the building at 1631 Lincolnway • West has been recommended by the Landmarks Committee "of the Historic Preservation Commission as a Local Historic Landmark. The building meets the criteria in at least two areas. 1.) Its character, interest and value as part of the development , heritage, or culture of .the city of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the state of Indiana , or the United States of America. 1.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural' characteristic or innovation. 2.) Its suitability for preservation. The building fulfills criteria #1 as an example of a single family horsing among the earliest to be constructed on this section of Licolnway West one of the major growth corridors of the.city. The building "fulfills criteria #2 as an example of a single family house constructed entirely of concrete block molded to replicate split faced stone. Although this material was commonly employed in foundations for frame buildings, relatively few structures used this material so extensively. The building is rated Contributing/10 in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey. This rating should be reconsidered due to the rarity of its construction method. The building fulfills criteria #3 by the integrity of its original construction with only minor alterations. • DBD 11/13/96