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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2000-0809 Property Location: 511 West Colfax Property Owner: Tamara Sexton Landmark or District Designation: LL Rating: 0/13 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT John Comley Birdsell invented the Birdsell Clover Huller in 1855. In 1864, Mr. Birdsell's factory in New York 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. 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. Joseph Benjamin Birdsell and Olive Tarbell Birdsell purchased Bank Out Lot 15 in 1897 for $8,800.00. They hired architect Wilson Parker to design the house. Parker came to South Bend in 1892 and entered into partnership with Ennis R. Austin. The home was completed in 1899 and the Birdsells took up immediate residence. J.B. Birdsell retired from the Birdsell Manufacturing Company in the spring of 1906 and died September of that same year at age 61. His widow, a son, and two daughters survived him. Mrs. Birdsell continued to reside at 511 W. 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 was sold again in 1959 to L.R. Building Corporation.