COA APPLICATION #2020-0302: NORTHERN INDIANA HISTORIC SOCIETY INC. V. SOUTH BEND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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in 1850. In 1973, the historic Powell house was moved to Leeper Park near the Navarre Cabin. Sadly, the Powell house was subject to irreparable damage from arson, and a plaque stands in its place. As noted in the June 15, 2020 Minutes of a Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, a letter was received from John Charles Bryant, the great -great-grandchild of Farrow Powell, in opposition to moving the Navarre Cabin from Leeper Park. Mr. Bryant's letter reads as follows, "I, John Charles Bryant, along with the members of the Farrow -Powell Family, would like to see the Navarre Cabin stay in the park along with the Powell House memorial. Thank you, John Charles Bryant." The History Museum notes the "handful of letters in opposition" to the removal of the Navarre Cabin from Leeper Park but does not take into account the opinions of the residents of the Historical Districts near Leeper Park, including Chapin Park Historic District, the River Bend Historic District, the Riverside Drive Local Historic District, and the North St. Joseph Street Local Historic District. The approval and effect of the removal of the Navarre Cabin to the Leeper Park historic neighborhoods is at least as important as approval and acceptance of the Near West Side Neighborhood Organization, the neighborhood encompassing the West Washington Historic District in which The History Museum is located, of the Navarre Cabin's new location. As read at the June 15, 2020 Minutes of a Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, Melonie Mulkey states in her letter of opposition (in relevant parts only), "To Whom it May Concern: I urge you to oppose the History Museum's request to move the "Navarre Cabin" from Leeper Park and relocate [it] to the Museum's grounds. Not only will you be taking away the historic landmark from its origins, but you will be taking it away from all the people who come upon this structure while visiting the park. Leeper Park attracts people from all over the area and all over the country, as the St. Joseph River's steelhead and bass fishing make it a prime location. The beautiful rose garden and the renovations that were done within the area have become a strong attraction to people from all walks of life who want to enjoy nature as well as explore the history of the park. Being at the comer of E. Bartlett Street and Michigan, my home was built in 1901 by Guy. D. Staples, an E