'Heart' of city can be found in its oldest neighborhood.
By Joanne Hammer
Anne Lee would ride Terre Haute's Seventh Street trolley to her home in Farrington's Grove after a long day of work at Indiana State Teachers College.
That was in 1930.
Since then, Lee, 96, has not lived in any other neighborhood.
Farrington's Grove, the city's oldest neighborhood, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
"I like to think of Farrington's Grove as being the heart of Terre Haute physically and emotionally," said Kaylynn Sanders, president of Farrington's Grove Historical District.
The Sanderses, like many others who live in the district, enjoy the character of their historic home. Their 1892 house features pocket doors that slide out of walls to partition rooms, five fireplaces, parquet floors and chandeliers that can be lighted with either gas or electricity. The hallway has its original terra cotta color and original hooks for artwork that hang above a picture rail.
Many of the homes in the district have spacious rooms, wide doorways, marble fireplaces and sun rooms.
"It's somewhat like living in a museum," said Kaylynn's husband, Dan. "We're taking care of the place."
Michael Magnin and his wife, Sandy Brake, moved from a home in the historic district to another on Fourth Street. They were delighted when they found original iron work in the garage that used to grace the front door.
Most of the houses in the historic neighborhood were built from the 1880s to the 1920s. Each home has different features that make it unique. Architectural styles in Farrington's Grove include Queen Anne, Italianate, Greek revival, American four-square, colonial revival and English cottage.
Seven houses of worship also are in the district.
The city's first homes were built near the river. Those in the upper class began building homes south of town, which later became Farrington's Grove. Those who research the area's history said it was a perfect spot for the suburb because it was not too close to the river or the inter-urban line, but close enough to have easy access to Terre Haute's downtown.
The district's name was chosen in 1976 after James Farrington, who owned a farm that comprised a large part of the neighborhood. He was a state senator, attorney and associate in H.D. Williams and Co.
Members of the Farrington's Grove Historical District work proactively to keep its historical flavor through renovations and kept gardens. The district has an annual garden walk, yard sale and historic home holiday tour.
The popularity of the area that began with a boom in the 1890s has not subsided. The Sanderses hear from many people who want to move to Terre Haute but only want to live in a historical district.
"It's an asset," Dan Sanders said. "A lot of people are interested in living in a historical district."
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis |
| Long-timer: Anne Lee remembers coming home to Farrington's Grove after school before she started teaching at Indiana State Teachers College in 1930. She lives in the city's second oldest home. |
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FARINGTON'S GROVE FAST FACTS
Where to find Farrington's Grove: Farrington's Grove Historical District spans from Poplar Street on the north to Hulman Street south, and Fourth Street on the west to Seventh Street on the east.
What is there: More than 1,000 structures. The district encompasses residences, a bed and breakfast, restaurants, seven houses of worship, businesses, a senior home and some commercial property.
Oldest structure: The building at 900 S. Fourth St. was built in 1849. It was originally at South Sixth Street, but according to Farrington's Grove legend, it was cut in half and moved to its present location.