Valparaiso, Indiana has been our home sweet home for many years.
Over the years we've listed and sold many old homes in town, some on the Historic register, some not, yet each of them had stories to tell, as they have stood for over a century as abodes to owners throughout generations.
408 Elm Street in Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 is such a home with stories to tell as it has grown in both structure and stature.
|
Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood Market Stats |
|
|
|
Jeff & Grace Safrin F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate (219) 309-9930 FCTucker1stTeam@gmail.com http://www.safrin.net        Listed by: F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate serving NW Indiana! |
Our recent listings
|
Nearby properties for sale |
Based on a series of letters handed down over the years from owner to owner, (which the current seller shared copies of with us when we took the listing), the following history is excerpts from these documents.
This homes history includes the original land owner (Charles M.) who bought 2 city lots on the Corner of Elm Street and Locust Street way back in October of 1835.
There was no structure built on these lots for years, however the first HOME owners (George and Sarah) did hide a letter (which was found years later)from their son dated March of 1897 in the North wall of the original one room house (now the large country kitchen).
Over the years the first level of the 1 room house was expanded to include a larger addition with 2 more entry doors and several more rooms on the main floor. "George & Sarah were known to be kind folks who offered their home to those in need. They legally adopted an infant (Nellie) after her mother died when she was only 4 weeks old." Sarah was at the birth and Nellies Mother asked Sarah to see that Nellie was taken care of.
George and Sarah welcomed another into their home (Kacid) Nellie's sister, was a teenager at the time of her mother's death, so the sisters were raised together!
George Jr. (son of George and Sarah), was a telegrapher at the Grand Trunk Railroad. "Looking into the future, George Jr. felt his mother and adopted sister would need some sort of income if he were not around to provide for them and therefore added a second story to the home." It was his intention that the additional rooms upstairs may be rented out for income, possibly to railroad men. (This 2nd story was thought to have been completed circa 1925).
Kacid grew up educated and became a school nurse in Gary. She later married with the ceremony being held in the current Living Room of the this home at 408 Elm St. !
The story of romance does not end with this home wedding... later when Nellie was older, there was a border renting a room upstairs who worked at the Grand Trunk Railroad ( John). " He and Nellie fell in love and married. They continued to live in this home and raised their 2 children, Jack & Barbara. Barbara lived in this home until 2004 and witnessed both wedding and babies being born here!
Valpo's history is rich with stories ...
Renamed in 1837 after a battle in Chili, the city was once known as the
"City of Churches".
- The area was part of the Saul Trail, used by native Americans traveling to Detroit
- The U.S. government purchased the land from the Potawatomi in 1832
- Valparaiso became the county set of Porter County in 1836
- Valparaiso University was founded in 1859
- Valparaiso became a center for manufacturing, including magnets, steel and packaging
- Orville Redenbacher opened the first industrial popcorn factory in Valparaiso
- Frank James, brother of outlaw Jesse James, shot the starting gun for a horse racing contest at the annual fair in 1898
- Valparaiso University has hosted many famous speakers, including President William Howard Taft and Senator Bobby Kennedy
Comments(3)