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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2001 -0328 Property Location: 630 W. Washington Property Owner: Richard & Venera Monahan Landmark or District Designation: LL Rating: 0/13 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT This large Queen Anne style house was constructed for Dr. Lewis Pagin in circa 1880. It was originally a somewhat smaller and simpler white frame house surrounded by large shade trees. It was purchased in 1886 by James Oliver who promptly remodeled and enlarged it to its present size. It is significant for its corner turret, front two level bay windows, and spindle porch. In 1887, Oliver deeded the property to his daughter Josephine and her husband George Ford who was at that time serving in Congress. George Ford was born at 422 S. Main in South Bend in 1846, to Issac and Emeline Ford. His father Issac was a cooper by trade who had come to South Bend in 1845. George also learned the cooper trade and helped his father when he was young. George was educated in the South Bend Schools, where he first met Josephine Oliver. They were childhood sweethearts but marriage was deferred until they were both 39 years of age. George began the study of law in 1866 in the law office of Colonel Norman Eddy, then one of the leading lawyers of South Bend and in 1869; he entered the law department at the University of Michigan. He graduated that same year and immediately took up practice in South Bend. George became known as one the areas best lawyers, and in 1874 was elected Prosecuting Attorney and remained as such until he was elected Congressman from the 13 District in 1885. He and Josephine lived mostly in Washington D.C. during those two years, but their house was finished by 1886 and the city directory lists them as residing there. Josephine died in 1913 and George in 1917. The property then passed to James Oliver's granddaughter, Gertrude Oliver and her husband, Frederick Cunningham. The Cunningham's had the house remodeled in 1911 by architects Austin and Shambleau and again in 1927 by Ernest Young. Mrs. Cunningham continued to live in the house until her death in 1988. The Oliver estate donated this house and the Oliver Mansion to the Northern Indiana Historical Society. The Cunningham house was to be sold with the profits to establish an endowment to support the Oliver Mansion as a house museum.