Friday, August 27, 2010
by crussell
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Using the plans he brought to Lafayette from Boston, Ira G. Howe, a well-to-do mill operator, built a block of three row houses to be occupied by himself and the families of his two children.
The two-story Italianate home is essentially rectangular with three projecting bays called "Boston swell fronts". Red brick laid in Flemish bond is the principal material of the building with many decorative cornices and brackets painted tin and white stone.
White sand stone steps lead up to the front door. The windows are tall, narrow, and double hung. The double leaf doors (Victorian character) contain etched glass panels of floral design from France.
The entrance opens into a narrow hallway with a long, beautiful wooden staircase lit up with gorgeous chandeliers. High-ceilinged rooms include a front parlor, dining room, sitting room, and Zinn kitchen with a half bath. The front stairway leads to the master bedroom with sitting area and a huge dressing room and bath. The back stairway leads to the guest room.
The lower level , used as an office and conference area, is charming with its brick foundation walls and archways. This home is zoned for general business and there are two separate phone lines going into it. One for personal and one for business. Formerly, the lower-level hall was used as a pass through for the fire department and has front and back outside entrances.
The charming brick court yard connects the two-car garage to the home. This historic home is a pleasure to visit and a joy to own.
Friday, August 27, 2010
by crussell
Awesome West Lafayette location!Hardwood floors under all main floor carpets! Huge lot! Walk to Purdue! (you couldeven park cars for games!) Home warranty available. Estate sale.
Friday, August 27, 2010
by crussell
Cute ranch home with wood floors & lots of light! Basement has egress window. Open stairway leads to basement. Large living & family areas. Priced for quick sale Newer roof and windows. Home warranty available.[gallery]
Friday, August 27, 2010
by crussell
[gallery order="DESC"]
The Knight-Loeb House was completed in 1882 by Emerson P. Knight of New York City. Mr. Knight moved to Lafayette to establish a grain business and built his home at the corner of 7th and Cincinnati St.
The house, which is Italianate in style, is built entirely of brick with 14 ½ inch thick exterior walls and interior hall walls. The other interior walls, which are also brick, are only 9 ½ inches thick. He built into his house the latest technology for 1882. Three particular things make this house unique for its day and time: 1. Indoor water closet (toilet), which was located on the second floor at the top of the main stairway. 2. Central heat. There was a large coal fired stove in the basement that carried heat to all rooms of the house (except the maid’s room) via air ducts that were built into the very thick walls of the center hall. 3. A burglar alarm system. The alarm system was wired to all windows in the house as well as the doorways. The system was battery operated and set off an alarm if a window was raised. It was, however, ineffective if a window glass was broken. The woodwork and doors of the house are black walnut. The front doors are butternut. Please note the elaborate hinges and door hardware, which were originally nickel-silver plated.
Mr. Knight by 1895 had moved back to New York City and sold his home to Solomon and Carrie Loeb. Mr. Loeb was in the dry goods business with his brother Julius, who lived at the corner of 8th and Cincinnati St. Mr. Loeb’s business capabilities created Lafayette’s own Loeb’s department store. The Loeb family was one of Lafayette’s greatest philanthropists, giving a fountain and a theatre to Purdue University, a sports stadium to the city at Columbian Park plus many contributions to hospitals, schools, scholarship funds, etc. The Loebs lived in the house for over 50 years.
In 1950 the house was converted into 6 apartments. Being the 50’s, the emphasis was to make the house “modern” and the ceilings were lowered to eight feet, windows shortened and bricked in by one third of their original height. The heating system was changed to hot water. The modernizations came at a great cost to the original plaster crown moldings, ceiling medallions, and woodwork throughout the house.
In 1995 the house was restored to its original style and floor plan. Plaster ceiling medallions and crown moldings were restored. Window and ceiling heights returned to their original dimensions, period chandeliers or original fixtures were returned to the house. It now serves as a historic landmark and bed and breakfast inn.
