Establishing Historic Landmark at 415 W Madison

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ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This is a two story Vernacular style house with Greek Revival style elements. It has a brick foundation and gable asphalt shingled roof. The house is rectangular in plan with a rear one story addition and side porch. The walls are covered by five inch weather clapboard with board trim below the eaves. The house has six over one double hung windows with simple hoods and wood shutters. The front door has eight light divisions, a wood storm door. The door is framed with classical Greek pilasters and a three paned transom. The house has a small porch on the east side with square wood columns, wood floor and balustrade. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation Commission's Local Landmarks Criteria's adopted by the Common Council, the building at 415 West Madison has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by Historic Preservation Commission. The building meets the criteria in at least three areas: 1.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristics or innovation. 2.) Its suitability for preservation. 3.) Its identification with the life of a person of historical significance. The building fulfills criteria #1 as an excellent example of a middle class Vernacular style house with Greek Revival Style elements. The building is rated a significant eleven in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The building fulfills criteria #2 by the integrity of its original construction with very minor changes to the facade which make it an interesting combination of late 1800s Vernacular Style house with turn of the century Greek Revival style elements. The building fulfills criteria #3 by its association with Samuel Barnes a pioneer carpenter of the area, Luedwig Schuell, an early resident of the city and prominent jeweler and Forrest West, prominent South Bend architect of the twentieth century. Staff finds that the building meets the criteria for designation as a Local Landmark and recommends that the Commission send such a recommendation to the Common Council. rls 10/8/98