Historic Evansville Indiana Walking Tour

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1. Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science

This general history, science, and art museum was constructed in the 1950s and has grown to include a collection of over 50,000 artifacts. The current museum was dramatically expanded in 2014, but the organization dates back to efforts to create exhibits and museums in the late 19th and early 20th century. Highlights of the museum include permanent exhibits drawn from the museum's collection that interpret the history of the city, works by area artists. The museum is also home to a vast collection related to transportation that includes a three-car train and a model train that travels through a scale recreation of the city of Evansville. The museum is also home to the Koch Immersive Theater which offers programs related to astronomy and other sciences.

2. Four Freedoms Monument

The Four Freedoms Monument has been standing prominently on Evansville's riverfront since it was built in 1976. It commemorates the country's four freedoms: freedom of speech, religion, want, and fear. It consists of four 24-foot-tall limestone columns surrounded by 50 pedestals that represent each state and 13 concentric steps representing the original 13 colonies. The Ionic columns represent the four freedoms. Designed by Evansville architect Rupert Condict, the monument was erected to celebrate the nation's bicentennial. It also has ties to Evansville as the columns were once part of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad depot, which was torn down in 1961.

3. Historical Marker: Ohio River Levee

This historical marker describes the levee system that protects Evansville and Vanderburgh County from floods. The marker is located on the Riverside Plaza and is just north of the Four Freedoms Monument. The levee system consists of 17 miles of earth and concrete flood walls, 19 pumping stations, and gated structures that protect water from flowing into city pipes and roadways. It was built in response to a disastrous flood in January and February 1937, which extended from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Cairo, Illinois. In Evansville, the water rose up to 57 feet. The levee system was built in 1944.

4. Reitz Home Museum

Born on December 17, 1815 in Dorlar Prussia, John Augustus Reitz immigrated to the United States in 1830s to find better business opportunities. Originally interested in starting a ceramics business in Evansville, Reitz, like many others, quickly saw the potential of the sawmill industry and became a very successful "lumber baron." Reitz completed the beautiful home on 1st St. in 1871, and eight of his ten children lived in the home, along with his wife and him. Reitz's children had the house decorated in the late period Victorian furnishings, which today make the home a unique masterpiece to behold.

5. Trinity United Methodist Church

Built in 1866 after two years of construction, Trinity United Methodist Church is a fine example of Gothic architecture. The building features two tall spires, stained glass windows, buttresses, among other architectural elements. It is a contributing property of the Historic Resources of Downtown Evansville, Indiana district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The church is modeled after St. Paul's M.E. Church in Newark, New Jersey. It is one of a handful of buildings in Evansville still owned by the original organization.

6. Children's Museum of Evansville

Located inside the historic former Central Library building, the Children's Museum of Evansville features hands-on exhibits promoting literacy, in 2006 but was initially founded in 1990 as a learning laboratory called Hands on Discovery. Notable highlights of the museum include a large duck, named Moe, in which kids can climb in, and an artmaker studio. The building itself was constructed in 1931 and the library operated here until 2004 when it moved to the current library building. The museum building was designed Art Deco style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

7. McCurdy Building

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the McCurdy Building is historically significant for being the location of the first Sears store in the country. The store, which opened in 1925, marked the company's transition into direct retail, which was independent of its catalog department. The building was constructed in 1920 by its namesake and owner William McCurdy (1853-1930), who at the time was the president of Old National Bank. The four-story building is actually comprised of three structures—separated by common walls—which were later constructed as additions. In terms of architecture, the building itself is significant as it was constructed with reinforced concrete, which was a relatively new development at the time. As of April 2019, it appears that the building is unused.

8. Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse

This large, stately building is the historic Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse. Completed in 1891, it operated as the seat of county government until 1969. Louisville architect Henry W. Wolters designed the building, which occupies a whole city block, in the Beaux-Arts style. Considered a fine example of this style, the exterior features numerous columns, sculptures and carvings, and the interior is just as elaborate, featuring marble walls and floors and ornate ironwork. The most prominent feature of the courthouse is the tower, which reaches a height of 216 feet and houses an enormous 4,200-pound bell. As one of the city's most important landmarks, the courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Today, the building serves as an event venue and houses the offices of the County Engineer and Veteran Service. A few private businesses lease office space as well.

9. Old Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Residence and Jail

Located across the street from the old county courthouse, the Former Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Residence was built in 1891. Resembling a castle, its design emulates the Castle of Lichtenstein in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Its architecture exhibits a number of unique features including a round tower, step gables, turrets, crenelated roof lines, turrets, and portcullises. A tunnel that leads from the building to the courthouse was used to lead prisoners to and from court appearances. The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now the home of a law firm. Apparently, visitors can see one jail cell that still exists. The sheriff and his family lived here until 1969 when a new jail was built.

10. Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Veterans Memorial Coliseum in downtown Evansville has been serving as a multi-purpose event facility since it was built in 1917. At the time of its completion, it was one of the largest auditoriums in the Midwest and was the first modern building in the city erected for large gatherings and events. Architect firm Shopbell, Clifford & Co. designed the Coliseum in the Neoclassical style, with its main entrance featuring a large portico with Doric columns.

11. Willard Carpenter House

The Willard Carpenter House is located in Evansville, IN. The home was completed in 1849, and stands as a memorial to Willard Carpenter. The house is built out of brick and stone. It is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture. Carpenter was one of the most influential and aggressive pioneers.

12. Historical Marker: Albion Fellows Bacon

Located outside the YMCA building, this historical marker commemorates the life and legacy of Evansville writer, social activist, and housing reformer, Albion Fellows Bacon (1865-1933). The daughter of a Methodist minister, Bacon became well known in Indiana and around the country for her commitment to improving the poor living conditions of tenement housing. She played a key role in the passage of housing reform legislation in Indiana in 1909, 1913, and 1917, and was appointed to the President's Conference on Home Building and Home Ownership in 1931. Bacon was also a member of other organizations such as the Indiana Child Welfare Association; the Women's Section of the Indiana State Council of Defense; the Indiana Conference of Charities and Corrections; and the Juvenile Advisory Commission of Indiana's Probation Department. She also a prolific writer of books, journals, and pamphlets, focusing most of her attention on housing reform. She also wrote poetry and children's stories. In 1907, she founded the precursor to the YMCA of Evansville—The Working Girls Association—which is why the marker is located here.

13. Old United States Post Office

The Old United States Post Office is arguably Evansville's most beautiful building. It was designed by Alfred B. Mullet in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and built in 1879. It features numerous interesting architectural elements including a frontal arcade, round arches, towers, and an oriel window (a bay window that doesn't reach the ground). The building's wings were added in 1918. The government occupied the old post office until the early 1970s. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, it has been restored and today serves primarily as an event venue but houses a few businesses as well.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Historic Evansville Indiana Walking Tour

Created by Mitch Roberts on November 10th 2020, 4:12:00 am.

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Description

This short walk takes visitors and residents to several of the leading monuments, museums, and historic buildings in the heart of Evansville. Highlights of the tour include the Evansville Museum, Four Freedoms Monument, the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse, the Willard Carpenter House, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and the Reitz Home Museum. Be sure to also visit the Evansville African American Museum on the east side of town and historic Willard Library just north of this tour.

Entries on This Tour

Historic Evansville Indiana Walking Tour

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