APRIL 25, 1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MORGAN COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY P. O. Box 1377 Martinsville, Indiana 46151 '~ Jœøne SlUttgeÐ. P!'eIidcnt ~ Holloway, ViI,;c PresidcDt Sandy OwIore, Secr«ary 1!IDe BurdI!n, Trasurer 349-1~B7 831-1874 ]4-9-1060 342-6568 David Rœcnbaum, DîrecIŒ Del Chafcy, DirectŒ Henry Youngblood, Director ]42-8244 342-6082 996-3433 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOUSE AT 218 SOUTH STREET. MOORESVILLE. INDIANA The historic name of the Italianate style house located at 218 South Street in Mooresville, Indiana, is the Matthew Comer House. Matthew Comer and his first wife, Adelia, and their five children were Quakers from Richmond, Indiana. Following Matthew's five years of service in the Civil War, the Comer family moved to Mooresville in 1865 so that the children could be educated at the Mooresville Friends Academy, a secondary boarding school now known as the Academy Building. Two younger children were born here. An experienced carpenter after a 12-year apprenticeship, Matthew Comer quickly established himself as one of Mooresville's most prominent businessman. He was the proprietor of a saw mill and planing mill on the current site of Newcomer Lumber. In addition, he was noted as a skilled builder and must have been involved in the building of Mooresville--both its historic commercial district and residential areas. In 1871, Matthew Comer built this house, which is a significant example of the Italianate style so popular during that period. The house is now 125 years old. Its distinctive Italianate features include a box-like form, decorative brackets under the eaves, and beautiful arched windows. Inside, the house features large rooms, an oak staircase, and an unusual curved wall in the back room, behind which is a staircase leading to the basement. Despite the house's age and constant use as a dwelling, it retains its architectural integrity. This means that it is nearly in its original condit ion. The Matthew Comer House is a significant historic property in the city of Mooresvjlle because of its association with Matthew Comer and because of its architecture. It must not be lost to demolition. What a house of this importance demands is careful, sensitive restoration. In the past few months, the Mooresville Community has demonstrated that it is willing to work hard to preserve its historic landmarks. The Newby Gymnasium and the Academy Building are now targets for comprehensive restoration. Within this developing spirit of preservation must also be placed private residences. The Matthew Comer House demands the community's respect, concern and appreciation. It must be restored. --