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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2002-0109 Property Location: 61601 Bremen Highway, State Road 331 Mishawaka, IN 46544 Property Owner: Christine & Thomas Rupard Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark, Crofoot Farm Rating: S-13 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT, The house on this property is considered by many to be the one of the best examples of wood frame Italianate architecture in Indiana, and the existing bank barn is, likewise, considered to be one of the very best of its kind. The Crofoot family settled on this land in 1832, and Henry Crofoot purchased it from his parents in 1855. The year following his return from the Civil Way (1866), he contracted Jacob Kelley to build the barn for $500, all lumber to be selected from the farm, on the stump. Ten years later, in 1876, Henry built the house. He had ten children, hence the, size of the 12 -room house. Incidentally, nearly half the house retains its original zinc roof. The same year that Henry Crofoot built the house, he planted 16 maples and two cedars around it.As far as we know, those are still standing, in spite of the recent storms. Karl V. Crofoot received the farm from his parents in 1963, and owned it at least through 1983. Thus, it stayed in the same family at 156 years. The Rupards bought the farm bought the farm from Elizabeth Crofoot in 1988, and still use it for its original purpose. Christine Rupard has known that farm since girlhood. State archeologists have expressed interest in the site of the original house, Southwest of the bank barn. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the proposed new barn. The site plan does not appear to locate the barn in the area of the pre -1860 house, where archeologists expressed interest. It does not threaten any trees of historic significance to the property, nor to destroy any views, vista, or important visual relationships. Additionally, staff is aware that modem fanning probably requires accommodations not available in a barn built in 1866, and hope that the availability of a new barn for some functions will actually make it easier for the family to preserve the treasured old barn.