Historic Vevay Walking Tour Preview

1

Bank Building, 1907,

Bank Building, 1907, Second Renaissance Revival style.

2

Federal style two-story building, 1830.

Federal style two-story building, 1830.

3

Federal style 3-story building, 1840.

Federal style 3-story building, 1840. Renaissance revival façade at street level. This is similar to the front of the Historic Hoosier Theater.

4

Italianate style three-story building, 1860.

Italianate style three-story building, 1860.

5

International Order of Odd Fellow Building

International Order of Odd Fellows Building, a three-story imposing Queen Anne style building, 1900.

6

Switzerland County Tourism - Historic Phoenix Hotel

The Old Phoenix Hotel now houses the Switzerland County Visitor’s Center. Italianate three-story building, 1884. An earlier building on the site burned. There was much activity here during the days of riverboat trade. Salesmen set up their wares in the “sample room”. Many travelers came and went.

7

Switzerland County Courthouse

The Switzerland County Courthouse was erected in 1864 by John Haley for $26,150.40. A new addition echoes the original Classic Revival style of architecture. A cupola crowns the structure. The juror room walls contain graffiti from the 1800s. The six-sided building behind was a six-seater necessary.

8

Knox House - 1830

Knox House, built c1830 by George Knox, Vevay’s first cabinet maker. Federal style saltbox. The Methodists held their first meetings here. Old Bull, the famous Norwegian violinist, played a concert here. He was marooned in Vevay after the great steamboat collision of 1868. It housed a saddle shop at one time.

9

Edward Eggleston’s birthplace, Federal style, 1830.

Edward Eggleston’s birthplace, Federal style, 1830. He was a famous writer, historian and preacher known for his books “Roxy” and “The Hoosier Schoolmaster”. Julia Dumont was one of his first and best teachers.

10

Callis House, Italianate style, 1860.

Callis House, Italianate style, 1860. Chester Callis was a prominent attorney in Vevay for many years. The present owners have restored it beautifully.

11

Ruter Chapel United Methodist Church - 1859

Ruter Chapel United Methodist Church, built in 1859, houses one of Vevay’s oldest organized congregations. In 1957 it was one of five churches in Indiana chosen as a Methodist shrine. Contains restored hand-painted murals.

12

Hall House, Italianate style, 1874.

This Classic Italianate style home was built by the Hall family c. 1875, by Silas Wright, architect. This was the final home of George McKay, noted pianist and conductor during the early 20th century.

13

Dr. George Copeland House - 1900

Dr. George Copeland House, built in 1900 in the Dutch Colonial style. The unusual carriage house survives today.

14

The Jean Daniel Morerod House - 1817.

The Jean Daniel Morerod House was completed in 1817. Morerod was one of Vevay’s first Swiss settlers and winemakers. The bricks used in the building were made & fired on the site, extending the construction time to three years. James K. Pleasants House, imposing Italianate style house, 1881.

15

Pleasants House - 1881.

Pleasants House, imposing Italianate style house, 1881.

16

Detraz House - Queen Anne style - 1870.

Built c. 1870 in the Queen Anne style by the Detraz brothers who owned and operated a planing mill and also built boats and other fine homes in Vevay.

17

“Sooner” House, Italianate - 1880.

“Sooner” House, Italianate, 1880. Home of the veterinarian (played by Richard Crenna) in the 1974 television film “A Girl Named Sooner.”

18

William Hall House - 1874

William Hall House. Originally a one story Federal, the second story was added in 1874 in the Italianate style, creating the mansion it is today.

19

Roxy House - 1814

Roxy House, 1814, primitive style. Twonnet, a character in one of Edward Eggleston’s books, was the daughter of the first owner, Aunt Lucy Detraz.

20

Tandy House - 1870

Tandy House, 1870. This is a fine example of the Neo-Jacobean style of architecture. A cottage in the yard was used as a law office. Enjoy the well maintained grounds, and several outbuildings.

21

Craig House - 1895

Craig House, Free Classic style, 1895. An underground tunnel was used as a coal chute from street to basement. Contains elaborate birds eye maple pocket doors, and carved lambrequins between the front & back parlors.

22

Israel Whitehead House- 1817

Israel Whitehead House, The lower floor, dating to 1817, was Vevay’s First bank. Upper stories were added in the 1830s in the Greek Revival style. A French Countess married a Mr. Heberhart, and took refuge here during World War II. She called the house L’Abri, which means “shelter” in France.

23

McCrellis House- 1880

McCrellis House, Italianate style frame, 1880.

24

Will Stevens House - 1863

Will Stevens House, Federal style, 1863. Will Stevens was a noted artist of landscapes and abstracts. The art studio was added in the 1940s. His artwork can be seen at the Library & the Historical Museum in Vevay.

25

Porter House - 1885

Porter House, Italianate, 1885. Built by Andrew Porter, uncle to Cole Porter, the famous song writer & musician. It currently houses an Art Studio.

26

U P Schenck Mansion - 1844

U P Schenck mansion, Greek Revival, 1844. Ulysses P, owner of a fleet of steamboats, was known as the “Hay King” for his work shipping hay to markets as far south as New Orleans. The spiral staircase was designed by Costigan.

27

Gable Front Cottage - 1875

Gable front cottage with Eastlake style details, 1875. The present owners added the period porch. The land was first owned by the wife of George Kyle. He was the architect who designed the U P Schenck mansion across the street.

28

The Vevay Christian Church - 1863

The Vevay Christian Church was built in 1863 for the Universalists. The architecture includes fish-scale shingles. The stained glass windows are especially beautiful at dusk, as the sun shines all the way through the building.

29

John Francis Dufour House - 1832

This early brick house was built in 1832 by John Francis Dufour, one of the founders of the town. His wife Polly Critchfield was a niece of Thomas Jefferson’s wife. Dufour descendants had a millinery shop here at one time.

30

Armstrong Tavern - 1816

The Armstrong Tavern was built in 1816. It is the oldest known meeting place of the Masonic Lodge in the state of Indiana. It was a tavern for more than 40 years. Now a residence, it housed a colonial restaurant in the 1970s.

31

Rammed Earth - 1947

Rammed Earth house built in 1947. Don Stepleton served in Italy during World War II. He learned this building technique there. The sturdy structure is now the home of the Vevay-Reveille newspaper, the oldest weekly in the state.

32

George Kessler House - 1835

George Kessler house, Federal style, 1835. A saddle shop was once located in the side yard. It is now home to Wallin Forge, specializing in tin & iron works.

33

The Chatline House -

The Chatline House is famous for its beautiful wrought iron balcony. Stucco over brick, It is said to be an authentic example of early Swiss architecture.

34

The Perret Dufour house

Originally the home of Perret Dufour, the son of John James Dufour. Perret was a historian, whose published history of Switzerland County can be found at the Library, or for sale at the Switzerland County River History Museum.

35

The Carnegie Library - 1915

An original Carnegie Library, built in 1915. It is now the Vevay Town Hall.

36

Historic Hoosier Theater - 1837

Historic Hoosier Theater, built in 1837 as a warehouse. A Federal style building, first floor façade has been remodeled in the Renaissance Revival style.

31

Rammed Earth - 1947

Rammed Earth house built in 1947. Don Stepleton served in Italy during World War II. He learned this building technique there. The sturdy structure is now the home of the Vevay-Reveille newspaper, the oldest weekly in the state.

38

LeClerc House- 1833

LeClerc House, 1833. The hotel & restaurant were operated for many years by Julia LeClerc. It was known up and down the river for its French cuisine and candles in the windows welcoming guests. Today it is the Vevay Swiss Inn, welcoming overnight visitors once again to this historic river town.

39

Fisk Building - 1860

Fisk Building, Italianate style, 1860. Former telephone exchange.

40

She- Coon Saloon - 1810

“She-Coon Saloon”, 1810. Once housed the Jeanette Tandy Weaving Studio.

41

First National Bank - 1886

This 1886 Neo-classical structure once housed the First National Bank.

42

God Catholic Church - 1875

Our Most Sorrowful Mother of God Catholic Church, 1875, Gothic Revival.

43

Dormer- Front Bungalow House - 1920

Dormer-front bungalow with Craftsman-style details & deep eaves, c1920.

44

Benjamin Franklin Schenck Mansion - 1870

Benjamin Franklin Schenck Mansion. Second Empire style with 5 baths, each containing a copper lined wooden bathtub. Built in 1870 at a cost of $67,000. Currently operated as a private residence.

45

Old Baptist Church - 1834

Old Baptist Church, 1834. This was the first permanent structure to house Vevay’s Baptist congregation. Later it served as a Christian Church, an early gas station, and the first Switzerland County Historical Museum.

46

Switzerland Baptist Church - 1870

Switzerland Baptist Church, built in 1870 for $20,000. Gothic Revival style, it is known for its high reaching steeple and stained glass windows.

47

The Old County Jail - 1853

The old County Jail, built in 1853 by Joseph Peelman for $8,675. No longer used to house offenders, it is open to the public for self-guided tours.

48

The Schenck Building - 1837

The Schenck Building, built in 1837 to accommodate U P Schenck’s thriving business interests. The oldest continuous business on the same site in Indiana.

49

McCormick's Tavern - 1814

McCormick’s Tavern, Federal style built in 1814 by George Pleasants. David McCormick kept a tavern in the brick part of the building.

50

Juila Knox House - 1870

Julia Knox House, 1870, Free Classic style. Julia Leclerc Knox was a well-respected school teacher, writer & world traveler. She was the last resident descendent of Madame Antoinette Dufour Morerod.

51

T- Plan Gothic Revival Cottage - 1850

T-plan Gothic Revival Cottage, c1850.

52

Presbyterian Church - 1860

Presbyterian Church, 1860, Gothic Revival style. First organized church in the county. Housed a school at one time. Now the home of the Switzerland County Historical Museum, containing many artifacts of early life in this region..

53

Historical Society

Parsonage to the Presbyterian Church. When the church deeded the property to the Historical Society, this frame house became a private residence. Currently the building serves as the Life on the Ohio River History Museum. Rare steamboat models on display. County genealogy records on file here.

54

Grisard House - 1840

Grisard House, 1840, Classic Revival style. Frederick L. Grisard was an early Vevay blacksmith & merchant. A substantial brick structure with columned portico, the timbered parts are fastened together by wooden pegs.

55

Armstrong House - 1835

Armstrong House, built 1835 in the Federal style. The Armstrong family raised many acres of hay for the river trade. Some survivors of the 1868 steamboat collision were brought here for medical attention. Boats involved were the United States & the America, colliding a few miles upstream.