Lost Treasures
Christian Church
Built in 1855 on the Southeast corner of 9th and Maple Avenue.
Co-Op Wheat Storage Plant
Despite a lot of public interest in newspapers, on social media and even on television, the Wheat Storage Plant was lost. The interior was an architectural marvel constructed of massive native timbers. All that remains in Noblesville from this historic structure is some of the stone foundation (slated to be used by Noblesville Parks Department) and a set of double doors (saved by the Hamilton County Historical Society.) Everything else—every board and beam was salvaged by a Zionsville company that sells reclaimed wood for mostly commercial purposes and custom home construction.
Location: Walnut & 9th St.
Couden's Grocery
Was one of the last remaining neighborhood commercial buildings left around Old Town. The store was run for years by the Couden family.
This structure was used as a storage facility. After years of neglect, poor-quality repairs and vandalism, this commercial structure fell victim to a rash of Old Town arsons. After sitting as a partially burned out shell for years, the building was razed. The property is rumored to be redeveloped by Habitat for Humanity.
Location: 13th & Hannibal St.
Craftsman Cobblestone Home
This quaint cottage home was of unusual style and building materials for Noblesville
The home caught fire and was left open to the elements following the fire. The owner razed the home. The property sits as a hole in the neighborhood.
Location: N. 10th St.
Crownland Cemetery Iron Fence
Historic Crownland Cemetery is an integral part of the Monument St. neighborhood. The wrought iron fence surrounding the cemetery was part of the cemetery’s historic character.
Cemetery officials sold the fence on eBay and replaced it with newer fencing material, rather than repairing the original fence. The cemetery board replaced the fence because the old fence was in need of costly repair. NPA sought to save the fence, but it was too late.
Location: N. 16th St. & Monument St.
Dr. Kraft Carriage House
This large, lovely carriage house was demolished in 2016. The developer told NPA members that the structure was to be saved, but it was suddenly demolished with no fanfare. We’re not aware of why plans changed. A carriage house of this quality and size are extremely rare in Noblesville. This is an unfortunate loss. The owner owns three other adjacent properties to this one, all with on site surface parking lots. Nearly the entire backyard of the Kraft House, right up to the edge of the alley, has been paved for a parking lot.
Farm Bureau Co-Op Office
This gable front Greek Revival cottage, built c. 1840, served for decades as the Co-op office. The detailed, Queen Anne woodwork on the porch was noteworthy, but unfortunately the porch fell to decay and was removed over 10 years ago.
In NPA’s 1995 Annual Report, it was noted that the Co-Op was seeking to demolish the structure or locate a willing person to move it. Efforts were made to move the property, but no willing buyer or location was secured. The location of this home adjacent to the Co-op grain elevators and the years of neglect left this lovely structure severely threatened. The building and the grain elevators were eventually razed in 2018.
Location: Walnut & S. 9th St.
Fertig House
Built in 1895
This house was owned by the Fertig family from the time it was built until the last relative, Helen Thompson, died in 1972. The Fertig’s were leading lawyers in town and Helen’s brother, Emmet Fertig, was elected mayor. Helen helped build the Carnegie Library and served on the library board for 50 years.
This home was demolished due to the city hall expansion.
First Presbyterian Church
Built in 1850, the Greek-Revival style framed church was built on donated land on the east side of Catherine Street (now 9th Street).
First Ward School
Constructed in 1888-1889, First Ward was a grand brick school. The construction of North Elementary on the north side of First Ward signaled the demise of this grand school building. During the summer of 1967 this historic structure was brought down by a wrecking ball.
Location: Harrison & N. 10th St.
Greek Revival Cottage
Built in 1900, this quaint cottage acted as a boundary between residential and commercial areas of downtown Noblesville. It does not appear in the Sanborn maps until c. 1900. It’s older architectural style gives a clue that the house may have been moved from another location. The home has been razed.
Location: Maple St.
Hospital
After serving as a Hospital and nursing school, as well as an apartment building this structure was purchased by American National Bank and razed in 1975 to make room for a parking lot.
Interurban Train Lines
At the turn of the 20th Century, an intercity electric railway network began to form across Indiana, with Indianapolis at its heart.
Preston Tucker Home
This home was the former residence of Preston Tucker, a national innovator in the automobile industry and subject of the Hollywood movie, “Tucker.” This home was an excellent example of the American Foursquare style. This home which proudly stood on Hwy 38 since the early 20th century in a neighborhood of slow decline from residential to commercial, was demolished in November. The loss of this home speaks volumes about the major effect that improper commercial zoning of residential structures can have in a neighborhood and our city as a whole. It also highlights the need for community involvement to help NPA board and membership keep a sharp eye out for these kinds of extreme plans in our neighborhoods.
The large property and home lot were redeveloped into an optometry office and parking lot. At the very last moment NPA discovered the imminent demolition of the home. We made efforts to move the home or at least salvage the beautiful interior materials. We were unsuccessful.
Location: Sheridan Rd. (Hwy 38)
Second Ward School
After almost a century of service to the Noblesville School System the Second Ward School was demolished in 1969.
Seminary School
The first public school in Hamilton County was the Seminary School located on South 10th Street in Noblesville (today the site is Seminary Park). The school building was replaced in 1872 with the second Seminary School which eventually became Second Ward School.
Sohl Farm
This early I-House Greek Revival farmhouse, built c.1845, was one of the last remaining pre-civil war farmsteads in Noblesville. The home was large and constructed from high-quality, handhewn materials. It was of museum-quality.
After years of neglect and a slow demise, the house was razed, or perhaps just fell down. Many years earlier, in 1992, a historic barn burned down. At one time there were original outbuildings, a pump house, sheds and a family cemetery on the grounds. It is unknown if anything survives. The location of this property near I-69 and adjacent to newer housing developments and gravel pit puts this idyllic farmland at risk for development.
Third Ward School
The Third Ward School was used as a school until 1968. The building was destroyed by a wrecking ball in April of 1969.
Vernacular Victorian Home
This 2-story Victorian home was typical of the style of Vernacular Victorian homes common in Noblesville. Before it underwent poor quality renovations (and a fire) the facade was mostly original, with details intact, such as porch posts, brackets and decorative fish scaling.
This home was a notoriously badly maintained rental for decades, which stood neglected in a neighborhood which has struggled to maintain safety and property values. The home was the victim of a minor arson and stood for years unsecured and open to the elements. It stood for several more years with boarded up windows. The home was recently razed and is rumored to be part of the Habitat for Humanity redevelopment plan at 13th and Hannibal streets.
​Location: 13th & Hannibal St.
Wild Opera House
In 1959, The Noblesville Parking Corporation decided to demolish the Wild Opera House and create a public parking lot on the site.
Wolverton House
Local people remember fun times in the Wolverton Family living room in this grand home. This home was demolished due to city hall expansion.