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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br />Application Number: 2001-0427 <br />Property Location: 2119 Portage <br />Property Owner: Donna Brown <br />Landmark or District Designation: LL <br />Rating: S/11 <br />STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT <br />The Greek Revival Style residence located at 2119 Portage was built circa 1865 <br />by Isaac Marble, a prosperous farmer in German Township. Mr. Marble owned the <br />property from 1865 to 1884 and over the course of this period he made numerous deed <br />transactions eventually amassed a property holding of 80 acres. Isaac sold the house and <br />surrounding acreage in 1884 to William Jackson, who was one of the most prominent <br />farmers in St. Joseph County. He was the president of the local Fair Association and an <br />active member of the Grange movement in Northern Indiana. Mr. Jackson's success in <br />farming included stock -raising, dairying and buying and selling of those commodities. <br />He owned this property until his death in 1910 at which time the house reverted to his <br />heirs, who sold the property in 1913 to Dora and Isaac Staples. Mr. & Mrs. Staples lived <br />at this address until 1920 when the property was sold to Charles and Daisey Brinley. <br />Charles Brinley was employed as an electrician with the Indiana and Michigan <br />Electric Company. He married Daisy in 1898 and had eight children. Upon his death in <br />1947, the house was sold to his son, Wilson. Wilson Brinley, a landscape architect and <br />owner of Bill Brinley Landscaping Service, resided at this address until 1977 when he <br />sold it to Thomas and Linda Cira. Mr. Cira was a firefighter; he and his wife lived in this <br />house until 1996 when they sold it to the current owner, Donna Brown. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />The Preservation Guidelines for Local Landmarks follow the Rehabilitation Model. <br />This is an unusual CoA application, in that the owner is not requesting the work. <br />This application concerns a large black walnut tree located at 2119 Portage that has some <br />branches that overhang 2111 Portage. The applicant is in fact the neighbor, Mr. <br />Philippis, the owner of 2111 Portage, who is requesting to trim the remaining portions of <br />the tree that overhang his yard. Mr. Philippis has complained about the mess and walnuts <br />