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Historic Structures of

Lafayette, Indiana

Historic Homes and Churches

Lafayette (pop. 43,764 ) is the seat of Tippecanoe Co. in West central Indiana on the Wabash river. Incorporated in 1853, Lafayette is a commercial and manufacturing center located in a farm region in which grain and livestock are produced. Manufactured materials include sheet metal, processed food, automobiles, truck trailers, paints, aluminum products, and engines. Purdue University is nearby, in West Lafayette. According to Indiana Business magazine, "Preserving and renewing vintage Lafayette tops the agenda on the east side." The first new downtown hotel in decades, the $12 million Holiday Inn select Center City is being built with a historic look. Things may be looking good for historic architecture too. According to the magazine: "In the works is a renovation of a 1939 movie theater by Deco Entertainment Inc. to be reopened as a movie/dinner theater. New development in a city can be a good thing if it reverses urban decay and a bad thing if it's seen simply as a way to "Get rid of old buildings."

Handley House, 1872 612 Ferry St. Italianate. Fashionable in England and the U.S. in the 1840's and 1850's, this style is characterized by low-pitched, heavily-bracketed roofs, and round-arched windows. Bradfield-Nagle House, 1865 620 Ferry St. Another example of the Italianate style.

Temple Israel, 1867 17 S. 7th St. West Lafayette resident and site visitor Robert L .Folkner writes: "This building is similar to the style used for synagogue architecture in Eastern Europe, which derives from the Byzantine. Some of the latter's characteristics include small windows (often paired) and rounded arches."

These photos are courtesy of the photographer, Mike Habeck (mhabeck@inetdirect.net). Mike is with EcoIndiana and, in addition to being concerned about historic architecture, is also looking out for the state's natural environment. Our thanks to Mike for sharing these photos with us. [ Home | Images of Indiana Architecture | Endangered | Editorials | Site Store ] [10 Simple ways you can help promote Historic Preservation! ]