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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: December 19, 2002 Application Number: 2002-1212 Property Location: 61191 U.S. SOUTH, South Bend, IN (Centre Township) Property Owner: Mr. Frank Macri (Contingent Owner/Contract Purchaser) Mr. & Mrs. Charles Nyers (Contract sellers, default owners) Landmark or District Designation: Local Historic Landmark, Saint Joseph County Rating: Outstanding (13 on rating scale of 0 to 13) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT The Eliakim Ashton family was among the very earliest to establish a farm along this historic highway in 1826. The important structures on this parcel, including the stone foundation of the bank barn, were mostly built between 1826 and 1866. Joseph Ullery, Sr. owned this farm from 1838 to 1866, when he transferred it to his daughter, Barbara Ullery Farneman, and her husband, Joseph Farneman. It is possible, though not certain, that the present main house was built for the new couple in 1866. However, this house has many character defining features in common with the Stumpf House in Indianapolis, pictured in Indiana Houses of the 19`h Century, (plate 133), which was built in 1855. If this house was built before that, it may be the oldest pure Italianate American Style house in Indiana. The most significant resources at this site include: The magnificent main house, the former milk house or summer kitchen, the remains of a bank barn and another animal shelter. Lesser significant resources include a secondary house and a garage, both of which are newer that the period of primary historic significance, but which are contributing structures of historic significance. Both are believed to be over fifty years old. There is another garage on the property, as well, in the far back. Joseph Farneman died in 1884, and Barbara Farneman went to live with her son, Isaac Farneman, in South Bend, after 1890. She died in 1904. The 1895 Atlas shows the farm jointly owned by Isaac Farneman and Esther Farneman Stover, the children of Barbara and Joseph. The farm remained in the Farneman family until 1927. Subsequent owners were the Stanley A. Skrwranek family, and the Debra and Charles J. Nyers family. In about 1986, the wonderful pre -Civil War era bank barn was struck by lightening and burned to the foundation. While this was a significant loss to the County's heritage, the site of the barn is still of interest to the DNR Department of Archeology. It is our understanding that the proposed parking is not on the site of the lost bank barn. APPLICATION ITEMS: 1. Add vestibule or foyer to front entrance; 2. Add canopies to various windows; 3. Add addition in rear, attaching existing kitchen to milk house/summer kitchen; 4. Add parking to side and rear of parcel;